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The primary purpose of the Athletic Training Program at UNC is to develop a competent and
contributing entry-level professional in the field of athletic training. Students are provided an
educational experience that includes an effective blend of classroom instruction and practical
experience in preparation for taking the National Athletic Trainers’ Association certification
exam. This preparation, along with successfully passing the NATABOC exam, qualifies
athletic trainers for employment in high schools, colleges, professional sports programs, and
other health care agencies.
Educational Objectives
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Provide an opportunity for students to develop optimal skills in the prevention; recognition,
evaluation & immediate care; rehabilitation & reconditioning; health care administration;
professional development & responsibility.
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Provide students the opportunity to develop their skills in a variety of clinical settings and with a
variety of athletes. Clinical experiences include male and female sports, team and individual
sports, and high and low risk sports. Additionally, students are exposed to a variety of clinical
settings, including high schools, universities, and sports medicine clinics.
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Place students in supervised situations which encourage common sense, rational thinking and
problem solving skills.
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Expose the student athletic trainer to other professionals of the athletic health care team both in the
classroom and in the clinical settings.
Accreditation
The UNC-CH Undergraduate Athletic Training Education Program received national
accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs in
October 1997. The program is officially recognized as having met the standards established by
the National Athletic Trainers’ Association, American Academy of Family Physicians, the
American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Orthopedic Society for Sports Medicine.
Coursework
In addition to the College of Arts & Sciences general education requirements, students in the
Athletic Training Education Program should take the following courses if they wish to sit for
the NATABOC Exam.
8 Common Core Classes for Exercise & Sport Science
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EXSS 101
(77) Foundations of EXSS*
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EXSS 175
(75) Human Anatomy
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EXSS 181
(81) Sport Psychology
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EXSS 273
(73) Research in Exercise & Sport Science*
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EXSS 276
(76)
Human Physiology
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EXSS 376
(89) Physiological Basis of Human Performance
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EXSS 380
(80)
Neuromuscular Control and Learning*
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EXSS 385
(85) Biomechanics of Sport
*Required to take only one of three courses Athletic Training Core Classes
Additional Coursework
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EXSS 141
(41) Personal Health
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EXSS 188
(88) Emergency Care of Injuries & Illness
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EXSS 265
(65) Fundamentals of Athletic Training
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EXSS 271
(71) Athletic Training Clinical
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EXSS 275L
(75L) Human Anatomy Laboratory
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EXSS 360
(60) Sports Nutrition
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EXSS 366
(66) Evaluation of Athletic Injuries
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EXSS 367
(67) Therapeutic Modalities
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EXSS 368
(68) Therapeutic Exercise & Rehabilitation
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EXSS 369
(69) Athletic Training Seminar
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EXSS 370
(70) General Medicine in Athletic Training
Clinical Sites
| UNC-CH (28 varsity sports) |
Meredith College |
| · Fetzer Training Room |
Apex High School |
| · Kenan Training Room |
Millbrook High School |
| · Smith Center Training Room |
Green Hope High School |
| Northern Durham High School |
Garner High School |
| Wakefield High School |
Jordan High School - Durham |
| Cary Academy |
Riverside High School –Durham |
| Carolina Courage Professional Women’s Soccer |
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Getting Involved
Students should become involved in athletic training at the undergraduate level as early as their
freshman year. During this time, students are assigned observational hours in the Fetzer
Training Room where they gain exposure to injury evaluation, treatment and rehabilitation.
Students who wish to continue with athletic training as a career path should declare Exercise
and Sport Science as their major and apply to the program in October of their Sophomore year.
Prerequisites for making application include the following:
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A minimum of 50 observational hours in the Fetzer Training Room;
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EXSS 175 (75) (Human Anatomy); and/or EXSS 188 (88) (Emergency Care of Injuries and Illness).
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A minimum 2.75 GPA is required prior to admission, however,
a 3.0 GPA is recommended.
Interested students are encouraged to attend an organizational meeting held on the first
Tuesday of every semester at 7pm in Room 106 Fetzer Gymnasium.
Admissions Policy
1.
Students apply to enter the athletic training program during the fall semester
of their sophomore year for entrance during the spring semester.
Prerequisites for application include: a minimum of 50 hours of
observation in the Fetzer Training Room, a minimum GPA of 2.75, and a minimum
grade of a B in EXSS 175 (75) (Human Anatomy) and EXSS 188 (88) (Emergency Care of Injury
and Illness). NOTE: In order to be
assigned observational hours prior to applying students must have a minimum GPA
of a 2.5. Once admitted to the
program students are required to be certified in both CPR and First Aid.
2.
Applications are accepted between October 1st and October
15th for students who wish to begin the program during the
following academic semester. The
application process is completed with a formal interview.
Athletic training faculty, staff athletic trainers, and graduate students
may be asked to serve on the interview committee.
The program director and clinical site coordinator will make all final
decisions.
3.
As part of the admissions process, applicants must read and
sign the “Technical
Standards for Admissions” form and the “Medical Records Release
Authorization” form. The “Medical
Records Release Authorization” form allows the physicians associated with
our program to review your medical records and determine whether or not you are
physically able to meet the technical standards set forth by the Undergraduate
Athletic Training Education Program at the University of North Carolina at
Chapel Hill
The technical standards set forth by the Undergraduate Athletic Training
Education Program establish the essential qualities considered necessary for
students admitted to this program to achieve the knowledge, skills, and
competencies of an entry-level athletic trainer, as well as meet the
expectations of the program's accrediting agency (Commission on Accreditation of
Allied Health Education Programs [CAAHEP]). In addition to classroom academic
requirements, all students admitted to the program must possess the ability to
perform on-field clinical skills that require significant physical dexterity.
Ability to meet the program's technical standards does not guarantee a student's
eligibility for the NATABOC certification exam.
Candidates for selection to the Undergraduate Athletic Training
Education Program must demonstrate the following:
1)
the mental capacity to assimilate, analyze, synthesize, integrate
concepts and problem solve 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 judgements 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.
4.
Students are notified of their status just prior to registration so they
can schedule the appropriate courses for the semester.
Students who are granted a position in the program are notified of their
clinical affiliation site for the spring semester around November
10th.
5.
The number of students accepted into the program each year is based upon
the availability of staff and clinical experience opportunities.
On average, the number of students accepted per year will range between
12 and 15.
6.
Once admitted to the program, students must commit themselves to a
minimum of five semesters for the completion of coursework and clinical
experience. The clinical experience
of 1000 hours (minimum 200 hours per semester) must be completed in no less than
five semesters.
7.
Students must have been or plan to be vaccinated for Hepatitis B Virus or
sign a waiver indicating they decline to receive a vaccine and assume the risks
involved.
Transfer Students
Transfer students that have met the aforementioned admissions requirements are eligible
to apply for admittance to the program. Courses (credits) are transferable however, students
will be required to take the human anatomy course (EXSS 175 (75)) from UNC-Chapel Hill as well
as the core Athletic Training Classes (EXSS 265, 366-369). Students must also complete the
50 hours of observation in the UNC FETZER athletic training room (i.e., hours obtained from
another institution are not transferable).
Student Athletes
Student athletes are eligible to apply for admittance into the Undergraduate Athletic
Training Program, however, it will not be possible to complete the program requirements
without full cooperation from the athlete’s coaching staff. No exceptions will be made to the
course sequencing if admitted to the program, nor will exceptions be made for meeting the
required 1000 clinical hours within the minimum of five semesters. Clinical hours during the
athlete’s in-season may be deferred to a later semester. During the athlete’s off-season he/she
will not be permitted to participate in his/her respective sport if it conflicts with the clinical site
assigned.
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