Athletic Training Major, B.S.

The Athletic Training Program (ATP) is an extended major within the Department of Human Performance and Sport. It is designed for the student desiring a career in the health care field of Athletic Training. The objective of the ATP at MSU Denver is the professional preparation of athletic training students, qualifying them to sit for the Board of Certification Examination (BOC). Upon successful completion of the BOC exam, and all degree requirements, the athletic training student may practice as a Certified Athletic Trainer (ATC).

Please note: In order for a student to qualify to sit for the BOC exam, they must graduate from an Athletic Training Program accredited by The Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE).

• The Athletic Training Program at MSU Denver is accredited by The Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE). 
• In order to be eligible to take the Board of Certification examination students must graduate from an Athletic Training Program accredited by the CAATE.
• Completion of the MSU Denver ATP eliminates the need for a minor as it is an extended major.
• Students formally admitted and enrolled in the MSU Denver ATP are required to undergo a background check with the Colorado Bureau of Investigation and/or an MSU Denver approved agency.

To qualify to begin the MSU Denver Athletic Training Clinical core courses, students must do the following: 

1. Meet with an ATP faculty advisor or the Human Performance & Sport advisor to declare the Athletic Training Major
2. Complete the following pre-requisite courses with a C grade or better (** specific course required per CAATE standard 54).  Transfer courses will be evaluated on an individual basis. 
   1. BIO 1080 - General Biology **
   2. BIO 1090 - General Biology Lab **
   3. PHY 1000 - Introduction to Physics **
   4. CHE 1010 - Chemistry and Society **
   5. BIO 2310 - Human Anatomy & Physiology I **
   6. PSY 1001 - Introductory Psychology **
   7. HPS 2060 - Emergency - First Responder 
   8. ATP 2220 - Foundations of Athletic Health Care
3. Have achieved a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 AND have achieved a minimum 2.75 GPA in major courses at the time of application and at all times during the clinical program.
4. Have proof of current immunizations for DPT, MMR, TB, and hepatitis B (or HBV declination) ** this is a required part of the application 
   1. Proof of negative TB test must be within past 5 years
   2. DPT immunization must be less than 10 years old
5. FORMALLY APPLY to the MSU Denver Athletic Training Program. The application packet can be picked up from the MSU Denver ATP director, clinical education coordinator, or staff members in the Human Performance & Sport department. 
6. If accepted, all students’ initial acceptance into the MSU Denver ATP clinical cohort is contingent upon maintaining the required minimum GPA’s. The ATP director will check all GPAs; if a student’s GPA falls below the required minimum at the conclusion of the semester of application, the student will not be eligible to begin with the ATP clinical cohort
7. Provide proof of current CPR certification for the professional rescuer/health care provider with AED that will be current through finals week of the semester of first clinical semester.

For all students (transfer students and current MSU Denver students): The complete application packet is due to the ATP Director or Clinical Education Coordinator no later than October 1^st.  At the time of application, students may be enrolled in the final required pre-requisite courses, but all pre-requisite courses MUST be complete by the end of the fall semester of application. 

Following submission of all application materials, students will be notified of their status within three weeks of the application deadline. All accepted students will be required to attend a group ATP advising/information session (time and date determined during every application cycle). Students are notified of this meeting via their official MSU Denver student e-mail account by either the ATP Clinical Education Coordinator or Director (Transfer students without an official MSU Denver e-mail account will be notified via the e-mail given on application).

Once formally accepted to the MSU Denver Athletic Training Clinical Cohort, students must also do the following: 

1) Per CAATE standard #27K, while a student is enrolled and active in the formal clinical sequence of the MSU Denver ATP they must:

• Carry individual/personal student athletic trainer malpractice/liability insurance in the amount of $1,000,000/$3,000,000. **specific information regarding this insurance will be given to the students upon formal admission to the ATP

2) Per CAATE standard #27F, all MSU Denver ATP students must demonstrate the following ATP technical standards throughout the entire time enrolled in the ATP clinical core courses:

1. The mental capacity to assimilate, analyze, synthesize, and integrate concepts and problem solving to formulate assessment and therapeutic judgments and to be able to distinguish deviations from the norm;
2. Sufficient postural and neuromuscular control, sensory function, and coordination to perform appropriate physical examinations using accepted techniques; and accurately, safely and efficiently use equipment and materials during the assessment and treatment of patients;
3. The ability to communicate effectively and sensitively with patients and colleagues, including individuals from different cultural and social backgrounds; this includes, but is not limited to, the ability to establish rapport with patients and communicate judgments and treatment information effectively. Students must be able to understand and speak the English language at a level consistent with competent professional practice;
4. The ability to record the physical examination results and a treatment plan clearly and accurately;
5. The capacity to maintain composure and continue to function well during periods of high stress;
6. The perseverance, diligence, and commitment to complete the athletic training education program as outlined and sequenced;
7. Flexibility and the ability to adjust to changing situations and uncertainty in clinical situations;
8. Affective skills and appropriate demeanor and rapport that relate to professional education and quality patient care.

3) At the time of application and at all times during the clinical portion of the MSU Denver Athletic Training Program, students must maintain a minimum cumulative 2.75 GPA and a minimum 2.75 GPA in major courses.  Students can access their GPA’s at any time on their Degree Progress Report found on their student hub.  If either or both GPA’s fall below the required minimum, the following procedure will be followed:

• The ATP director will notify the student via the student’s official MSU Denver e-mail address and the student will be placed on probation.
• After the e-mail is sent, it is the student’s responsibility to schedule an advising meeting with either the ATP director or clinical education coordinator. 
• The student will have one academic year to bring the GPA(s) up to required levels, while remaining in the course sequence. 
• If the student fails to bring the GPA(s) up to acceptable levels after one academic year, the student will be suspended from the major until the GPA(s) minimums are achieved. Resumption of the ATP will commence in the appropriate sequential semester.
• If, after two years, the student does not bring the GPA(s) to acceptable levels, the student will be dismissed from the ATP.
• If the GPA(s) are raised to the minimum, the dismissal may be appealed.