ATHP Academic & Clinical Education Plan

Academic Instruction Plan

The Athletic Training Education Program at the University of the Incarnate Word has designed an athletic training degree that fulfills the specific needs required by accreditation, but also produces effective athletic trainers for the schools and physically active settings. The program uses the 4th Edition of the NATA's Education Council Competencies and Proficies as a guide in curricular and lab development. Later on this page, the program describes each year and semester for the student academic study. The following document is a brief recommended course sequence for athletic training majors.

• Recommended Course Sequence for 2009-2011 Undergraduate Catalog

Clinical Instruction Plan

The Athletic Training Education Program at the University of the Incarnate Word requires each student to complete a minimum of 1800 hours of clinical field experience spread out over six semesters.  The hour requirement meets the needs established by the guidelines of the Board of Certification and the Texas Advisory Board of Athletic Trainers; and provides the student with a foundation of athletic training experiences related to the domains of the profession. 

The clinical experience component is designed to provide the student with a variety of settings for observation and directed practice of the competencies and proficiencies learned in the athletic training curriculum.  Throughout the clinical component of the program, students are expected to observe the certified athletic trainer and allowed to practice skills in which they have been determined proficient by the athletic training faculty in the didactic portion of the program.  The concept of the program is for the student to be led through their clinical experiences in order to develop a strong foundational knowledge and then to build on that foundation.  The clinical instructor is key for providing the student with hands on experience and sharing practical information about the athletic training profession.   The student should consider the clinical experience courses as lab time to practice the skills developed in the theory classes. 

Most of the field experiences take place during the observation and directed practice in the athletic training room; during the practice and contest venues.  The ATEP program uses the athletic training rooms within local interscholastic and intercollegiate facilities in San Antonio.  The student will also gain field experience by observing and participating with clinical instructors in physical therapy clinics, physician offices and other allied health settings in San Antonio, Texas.

NOTE: To make the athletic training major friendly to transfer students and students to the UIW community, the course pre-requisites were removed from the admission requirement of the program. Instead, the program requires 2.5 GPA with 25 hours of college credit work (1000-4000 level class work).

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The Freshman Year

In the freshman year, the student will take courses that fulfill the university core curriculum and courses that are prerequisite courses for admission into the program. At time of admission into the university, the academic advising center will make recommendations of the appropriate English and mathematics courses according to university placement scores. Athletic Training majors are given an unofficial degree plan; yearly academic plan and provided with the ATEP admission standards. To prepare the student for fall admission into the ATEP, the student is advised to successfully complete the Anatomy and Physiology courses (BIOL 2321, BIOL 2322), Medical Terminology for the Healthcare Professional (ATHP 1211) and Introduction to Athletic Training (ATHP 1310) with a 'C' or better. As part of the Introduction to Athletic Training course, the program director provides the students with an orientation of the program and discusses admission into the program.

Note: Prior to any observations, the student must meet with the clinical coordinator to clear placement. All clinical placements, including observations must be cleared by the university and particular setting. As part of accreditation requirements and established agreements, the student must also provide proof of particular requirements of the setting (OSHA blood-borne pathogen training, HIPAA training, criminal background screening, appropriate paperwork, etc.)

The freshman year sequencing is designed to provide the student with basic knowledge for entry into the program. The Anatomy and Physiology courses provide the student with the foundational knowledge of the human body needed as an athletic trainer. The Introduction of Athletic Training course provides the student with an understanding of the profession and the education program at UIW. Other courses taken in the freshman year are foundational courses in the university core curriculum based on the university mission.

This is only a recommended course plan for the major. Individualized course plan will be established between the major advisor and the student.

 

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The Sophomore Year (Levels 1-2 of Program)

In the sophomore year, the student will continue fulfilling the university core curriculum and take courses in their chosen major and minor. Students must have met the admission requirements, admitted into the program and will to be enrolled into athletic training curriculum courses. Prior to starting the clinical experience course, the student must take care of all administrative and pre-participation aspects of the ATEP. This includes proof of needle stick insurance, proof of annual TB test, proof of current CPR and First Aid cards, completion of pre-participation physical examination and complete the required immunizations. The student must complete a criminal background screening or have a declaratory order from the regulating board stating their eligibility for licensure or certification to practice. After approval by the program director, the student will initiate their athletic training clinical experiences by completing observation and directed study hours under the direction of an approved clinical instructor (ACI). As part of the academic advising plan, the student is advised on the academic, clinical and administrative requirements of promotion (progression) into the next clinical experience course.

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Level 1 of the Program

Academic Sequencing

Level 1 of the program is intended for sophomore students. The academic sequencing is designed and intended to allow the athletic training major to build and expand upon the knowledge from their freshman year. The student takes the entry-level athletic training courses that provide the student the foundational knowledge of the athletic training profession. The student enrolls in ATHP 2305 Functional Anatomy and Muscle Testing course to re-emphasizes the knowledge and understanding of the musculoskeletal system of the human body. The student also enrolls in ATHP 2310 Orthopedic Injuries and Athletic Conditions to gain an understanding of the injuries and conditions, which the athletic trainer would encounter in various settings of the profession. Both courses will provide the student with the foundation and build upon the evaluation courses in the later semesters. Since the student will be placed in potential emergency situations on their clinical site with their clinical instructors, the ATHP 2301 Emergency and Medical Aspects course is integrated early to provide the student with the skills needed to aid in care of injured individuals. The student is also enrolled in ATHP 3310 Pathology of Body Systems to provide the student with an understanding of the normal functioning of body systems as well as abnormal medical conditions and pathologies. The other courses taken in the sophomore year are foundational courses in the university core curriculum based on the university mission

 

Sample Schedule (17 hours)

ATHP 1170 – AT Clinical Experiences I

ATHP 2301 – Emergency and Medical Aspects

ATHP 2305 – Functional Anatomy & Muscle Testing

ATHP 2310 – Orthopedic Injuries & Athletic Conditions

ATHP 3310 – Pathology of Body Systems

Physical Education Activity (1 credit hour)

Elective (3 credit hours)

 

Clinical Experience Component

The focus of the Level 1 athletic training clinical field experience is to provide the student with a directed and supervised setting to practice their athletic training skills. Students will not be sent to their clinical setting until the clinical coordinator has evaluated certain taping and first aid skills and deems them ready for clinical placement. It is the goal to improve confidence in the student, so in most situations, the student will remain at the same clinical setting with the same approved clinical instructor for the first and second levels of the program.

The student will be assigned to a clinical instructor providing athletic training services in an intercollegiate or interscholastic setting. The student will be expected to be present to assist the clinical instructor at all official team practices, conditioning activities and competitions as well as help provide preventive care, treatment and rehabilitation of injuries to the team members. A Level 1 athletic training student will complete 250 hours through observation and directed practice under the direction the assigned clinical instructor. The focus for Level 1 athletic training student is to expose the student to a variety of upper and lower extremity intensive sports as well as a co-ed setting. The student will also gain experience of various training seasons (pre-, in- and off-season), along with participating in a co-educational setting.

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Level 2 of the Program

Academic Sequencing

The sophomore spring semester sequencing is designed and intended for the athletic training major to build upon and expand their knowledge of the first year of the program. The student has taken courses to expand of their knowledge of anatomy and conditions of the human body. The second semester of the program is designed to expand their knowledge and build upon the foundation. The student enrolls in ATHP 2315 Evaluation of Injuries and Conditions of the Trunk and Lower Extremity. The student has already been oriented to the various athletic injuries and conditions; the student is now gains the cognitive and psychomotor skills of evaluating and differentiating between the conditions. In the second semester, the student will start learning of the physical and mechanical agents used to treat various injuries and conditions that occur with physical activities. The student will enroll in ATHP 3320 Therapeutic Modalities and ATHP 3120 Therapeutic Modalities Lab to provide the student with the science and accepted medical protocols for understanding the application of physical and mechanical agents as an athletic trainer. These skills are important throughout the rest of the program. The clinical experience course is designed to evaluate learning over time of athletic training skills learning in the previous didactic courses and provide the student with directed observation and ability to practice these athletic training skills. The other courses taken in the sophomore year are foundational courses in the university core curriculum based on the university mission.

 

Sample Schedule (17 Credit Hours)

ATHP 2170 – AT Clinical Experiences II

ATHP 2315 – Evaluation of Injuries/Conditions of the Trunk & LE

ATHP 3320 – Therapeutic Modalities

ATHP 3120 – Therapeutic Modalities Lab

PSCY 1301 - Introduction to Psychology

ENGL 2310 –Word Literature Studies

3 Hour Elective

 

Clinical Experience Component

The student will be assigned to a clinical instructor(s) providing athletic training services to an intercollegiate or interscholastic setting. The student will be expected to be present to assist the clinical instructor at all official team practices, conditioning activities and competitions and to help provide preventative care, treatment and rehabilitation of injuries to the team members. The focus for Level 2 athletic training student is to expose the student to a variety of upper extremity intensive sports. The student will gain experience with mainly in-season sports, along with participating in a co-educational setting. The student is expected to complete 300 hours, an average of approximately 20 hours per week, under the direct supervision of an approved clinical instructor.

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The Junior Year (Levels 3-4 of Program)

In the junior year, the student will continue fulfilling the university core curriculum and courses from their major and minor. The student also continues involvement in their athletic training clinical experience courses by completing observation and directed study hours under the direction of an approved clinical instructor (ACI). As part of the academic advising plan, the student is advised on the academic, clinical and administrative requirements of promotion (progression) into the next clinical experience course.

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Level 3 of the Program

Academic Sequencing

Level 3 of the program is intended to be in the fall semester of the students junior year. The academic sequencing is designed and intended for the athletic training major to build upon and expand the knowledge in the program. The student has taken courses to expand of their knowledge of anatomy and conditions of the human body. The focus will be the care and evaluation of the injuries and conditions. The third semester of the program is designed to expand their knowledge and build upon the foundation.

The student enrolls in ATHP 2320 Evaluation of Injuries and Conditions of the Head, Neck and Upper Extremity. The student has already been oriented to the various athletic injuries and conditions; the student is now gains the cognitive and psychomotor skills of evaluating and differentiating between the conditions. Also in the third semester, the student will start learning of the pharmacological agents as well as the basic nutrients needed by the body. The student will enroll in ATHP 2341 Pharamalogical Aspects of Athletic Training to provide the student with the science and accepted medical protocols for the use medications by the physically active and athletic clients. Also in the third semester, the student will be enrolled in PEHP 3350 Theory of Movement Forms: Analysis and Construction. This course is a Biomechanics course that builds upon the understanding of the human body and how the musculoskeletal system functions. If not already taken, the student will also enroll in NUTR 2341 Introduction to Nutrition to gain an understanding of the basic understanding of the required nutrients needed by the human body and the uses and sources. The course will provide the student with knowledge in understanding the human body, tissue healing, and improving physical performance. The clinical experience course is designed to evaluate learning over time of athletic training skills learning in the previous didactic courses and provide the student with directed observation and ability to practice these athletic training skills. The other courses taken in the junior year are foundational courses in the university core curriculum based on the university mission.

 

Sample Schedule (16 Credit Hours)

ATHP 3170 – AT Clinical Experiences III

ATHP 2320 – Evaluation of Injuries/Conditions of the Head & UE

ATHP 2341 - Pharmacological Aspects of Athletic Training

NUTR 2341 – Introduction to Nutrition

PEHP 3350 – Theory of Movement Forms: Analysis/Construct

Religious Studies Course

 

Clinical Experience Component

The student will be assigned to a clinical instructor(s) providing athletic training services to an intercollegiate or interscholastic setting. The student will be expected to be present to assist the clinical instructor at all official team practices, conditioning activities and competitions and to help provide preventative care, treatment and rehabilitation of injuries to the team members. Note: The student is only allowed to perform athletic training skills in which they have been determined proficient by the academic and clinical faculties. A Level 3 athletic training student will complete 300 hours through observation and directed practice under the direction of an approved clinical instructor in the approved setting assigned by the program director. Students that are involved in ATHP 3170: Athletic Training Clinical Experiences III are expected to report for summer two-a-day workouts prior to the first day of class. It’s the responsibility for athletic training student to contact the certified athletic trainer assigned to the sport to determine the summer schedule. The focus for Level 3 athletic training student is to expose the student to a variety sports, but will focus on the evaluation of injuries that occur in lower extremity intensive sports. The student will gain experience with pre-season and in-season high intensity sports.

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Level 4 of the Program

Academic Sequencing

Level 4 of the program is intended to be in the spring semester of the students junior year. The academic sequencing semester sequencing is designed and intended for the athletic training major to build upon and expand the knowledge of the previous semesters of the program. At this point in the program, the student has an understanding of makeup of the human anatomy; the injuries/conditions that occur with athletic and physical activity involvement; and how to evaluate and treat the injuries/conditions. The fourth semester of the program is designed to expand their knowledge and build upon the foundation and integrate various athletic training domain areas. The student enrolls in ATHP 3330 Therapeutic Rehabilitation and ATHP 3130 Therapeutic Rehabilitation Lab. The student has already been oriented to the various athletic injuries and conditions; the student is now gains the cognitive and psychomotor skills of how to rehabilitate and treat these injuries. The student is also enrolled in ATHP 3340 Organization and Administration of Athletic Training to gain an understanding of the skills need for professional development and organization as an athletic trainer. The student will also enroll in NUTR 4356 Nutrition and Human Performance to build on basic understanding of nutrients aimed at the athletic and human performance setting. The course will provide the student with knowledge of how to use and analyze an athlete’s nutrition, eating and drinking habits. (Note: NUTR 4356 is on 4 semester rotation, so it may be integrated in either the junior or senior year of the program. In the event NUTR 4356 is switched with the senior year, the university’s foreign language requirement will be included in this semester.) The student will enroll in PSYC 3384 Research Methods during this semester to develop investigative and research skills needed as an allied health professional. These skills will allow to the student to research and understand current journal topics. The clinical experience course is designed to evaluate learning over time of athletic training skills learning in the previous didactic courses and provide the student with directed observation and ability to practice these athletic training skills. The other courses taken in the freshman year are foundational courses in the university core curriculum based on the university mission.

 

Sample Schedule (17 Credit Hours)

ATHP 4170 – AT Clinical Experiences IV

ATHP 3330 – Therapeutic Rehabilitation

ATHP 3130 – Therapeutic Rehabilitation Lab

ATHP 3340 – Organization and Administration of AT

*NUTR 4356 – Nutrition and Human Performance

PSYC 3381 - Statistics of Behavioral Sciences

PEHP 4333 - Fundamentals of Human Performance

* Course is taught on 4-semester rotation, so it will be taken either spring in junior or senior level. (Spring in Odd Years) If switched from spring of junior year, the individual will be switched with the foreign language requirement in the academic plan.

 

Clinical Experience Component

The student will be assigned to a clinical instructor(s) providing athletic training services to an intercollegiate or interscholastic setting. The student will be expected to be present to assist the clinical instructor at all official team practices, conditioning activities and competitions and to help provide preventative care, treatment and rehabilitation of injuries to the team members. Note: The student is only allowed to perform athletic training skills in which they have been determined proficient by the academic and clinical faculties. A Level 4 athletic training student will complete 300 hours through observation and directed practice under the direction of an approved clinical instructor in the approved setting assigned by the program director. The focus for Level 4 athletic training student is to expose the student to a variety sports, but will focus on the evaluation of injuries that occur in upper extremity intensive sports. The student will gain experience with pre-season and in-season high intensity sports. The clinical experience will also focus on the student's ability to design, perform and evaluate a treatment plan for various injuries and conditions.

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The Senior Year (Level 5 and Internship of Program)

In the senior year, the student will continue fulfilling the university core curriculum and courses from their major and minor. The student also continues involvement in their athletic training clinical experience courses by completing observation and directed study hours under the direction of an approved clinical instructor (ACI) and will cultivate in the spring semester with an external internship in athletic training. As part of the senior year, the student will also enroll in a senior capstone course. The course will evaluate and inspect all the areas of the curriculum through mock testing of the proficiencies and competencies identified by the National Athletic Trainers Association Education Council.

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Level 5 of the Program

Academic Sequencing

Llevel 5 of the program is intended to be in the fall semester of the students senior year. The academic sequencing is designed and intended for the athletic training major to build upon and expand the knowledge of the previous semesters of the program while demonstrating confidence in their skills. At this point in the program, the student has an understanding of makeup of the human anatomy; the injuries/conditions that occur with athletic and physical activity involvement; and how to evaluate, treat, and rehabilitate the injuries/conditions. The fifth semester of the program is designed to allow the student to practice and build upon the knowledge and integrate various athletic training domain areas. The student has no didactic athletic training courses, but continues to practice the athletic training skills under the supervision of a clinical instructor. The student is also enrolled in ATHP 4390 Senior Capstone: Mock Testing. This course prepares the student for the state licensure and national certification examination by providing the students with similar anxiety testing situations over the domains of athletic training. The student will be instructed on testing procedures and application procedures. UIW will utilize a comparison of entry test scores (from pre-admission) and exit test scores of the Athletic Training General Knowledge Examination. The university will use this information to gain an understanding of the program.

The student is enrolled in their final clinical experience course designed to evaluate learning over time from materials from previous didactic courses and provide the student with directed observation and ability to practice these athletic training skills. The other courses taken in the freshman year are foundational courses in the university core curriculum based on the university mission.

 

Sample Schedule (16 Credit Hours)

ATHP 4190 – AT Clinical Experiences V

ATHP 4390 - Capstone: Mock Testing

PSYC 3384 - Research Methods

SOCI 3350 – Sociology of Sport or PSYC 3345 - Sports Psychology

Religious Studies/Philosophy Requirement

Foreign Language (3 credit hours)

 

Clinical Experience Component

The student will be assigned to a clinical instructor(s) providing athletic training services to an intercollegiate or interscholastic setting. The student will be expected to be present to assist the clinical instructor at all official team practices, conditioning activities and competitions and to help provide preventative care, treatment and rehabilitation of injuries to the team members. A Level 5 athletic training student will complete 300 hours through observation and directed practice under the direction of an approved clinical instructor in the approved setting assigned by the program director. Students that are involved in ATHP 4190: Athletic Training Clinical Experiences V are expected to report for summer two-a-day workouts prior to the first day of class. It’s the responsibility for athletic training student to contact the certified athletic trainer assigned to the sport to determine the summer schedule.

The focus for Level 5 athletic training student is to expose the student to an equipment intensive sport. The student will gain experience with pre-season and in-season collision and equipment intensive sports. The student is expected to complete 300 hours, an average of approximately 20 hours per week, under the direct supervision of an approved clinical instructor.

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Level 6 (Student Internship)

Academic Sequencing

Level 6 of the program is intended to be inthe spring semester of the senior year. The sequencing is designed and intended for the athletic training major to practice athletic training skills and observe in a setting not utilized by UIW for clinical instruction. At this point in the program, the student has an understanding of makeup of the human anatomy; the injuries/conditions that occur with athletic and physical activity involvement; and how to evaluate, treat, and rehabilitate the injuries/conditions. The student must also complete their last clinical field experience course in the general medical setting. The final semester of the program is designed to allow the student to find a possible employment setting and build networking for references of job placement. The student is enrolled in ATHP 4388 Internship in Athletic Training; the course evaluates the professional development of the student. The other courses taken in the freshman year are foundational courses in the university core curriculum based on the university mission.

 

Sample Schedule (13 Credit Hours)

ATHP 4388 – Internship in Athletic Training

ATHP 4191 - Athletic Training General Medical Field Experience

3 Hour Core Elective

Elective (3 credit hours)

Foreign Language (3 credit hours)

 

General Medical and Allied Health Clinical Experience

As part of the senior year of the Athletic Training Education Program, students are exposed to other allied health professionals in the traditional medical clinic and hospital settings. Coordinated by the ATEP medical directors, ATEP program director, athletic training faculty and local health care providers, the student completes a 20-60 hour general medical and allied health clinical experience. The goal of the clinical experience is to provide the student with the skills, knowledge and ability to identify and evaluate an individual’s health assessment and its’ potential effects on their physical performance and overall wellness. The student will integrate the general medical and disability competencies and proficiencies taught and evaluated in the didactic courses of the curriculum into clinical skills from the experiences gained during the clinical experience. During the rotation, the athletic training student observes and works under the direct supervision of the attending medical staff (physicians, nurse practitioner, registered nurses, etc.).

General Medical Rotation

The general medical rotation is designed to provide the athletic training student with an in-depth experience in identification, assessment and management of common, as well as, sophisticated and tertiary health problems. Emphasis is placed on diseases and conditions of the skin, respiratory system, cardiovascular system, endocrine system, gastrointestinal system, genitourinary system, gynecological and neurological systems. The student will also be exposed to viral syndromes, sexually transmitted diseases, systemic diseases and eating disorders.

Thorough observation and participation of patient care, the student will gain knowledge, skills, and values that the entry-level athletic trainer must possess to recognize, treat and refer, when appropriate, the general medical conditions and disabilities of athletes and individuals involved in physical activity settings. The student will use integrate competencies and proficiencies taught and evaluated in ATHP 2301 Emergency and General Medical Aspects of Athletic Training (Level 1 course) and ATHP 3310 Pathology of Disease (Level 2 course) into clinical skills and experiences as part of the general medical and allied health clinical experience. Below is a schematic showing the sequencing of didactic courses and the clinical experience. By teaching competencies and proficiencies related to wellness, health assessment and medical conditions early in the course plan the student should have demonstrated mastery of knowledge in didactic and clinical courses. The student will be complete a three week, 20-60 hour rotation under the supervision of physicians, nurses and other health care providers.