Athletic Training Education Program Overview 2006-2007

Program Introduction

Oregon State University sponsors one of the oldest, most established athletic training education programs in the United States. This program has been continuously approved/accredited since 1974. The program is based on a 4 year academic plan with 3 full years of clinical experience. Student clinical experiences include University, High School and Rehabilitation Clinic settings. Currently, there are over 25 Certified Athletic Trainers associated with the program.

Mission Statement

The Oregon State University Athletic Training Education Program is designed to prepare students for the challenges of the ever-expanding allied health profession of athletic training. Through the combination of extensive didactic, laboratory and clinical experiences in sports medicine, graduates of this program achieve the entry-level competencies necessary to take and pass the certification examination offered by the National Athletic Trainers' Association Board of Certification and embark on a career as a certified athletic trainer.

Application

Candidates are admitted to the Athletic Training Education Program following the spring term of each academic year at the completion of a formal application process. The application process is competitive and admission is based on measures of student performance in both the academic and clinical settings. The number of students admitted to the undergraduate athletic training option will be based on available space in the program. Recent class sizes have ranged from 18 to 21 students. Notification of admittance occurs during the second week of July.

Recent Class Demographic Information

Clinical Program Details

Level 2: Athletic Training Student

Students will obtain experience in two traditional athletic settings (i.e., high school and Gill Coliseum). Students must obtain a minimum of 100 hours of athletic training clinical experience per term when in a traditional setting. For students observing in one of the rehabilitation settings (i.e., outpatient physical therapy or Dixon Recreation Center), a minimum of 70 hours is required.

Level 3: Athletic Training Student

Sport assignment as a Level 3 athletic training student involves higher levels of clinical and professional responsibility. All Level 3 student athletic trainers are required to return to the OSU campus for August/September preseason sport practices during the six weeks before the Fall Term classes start. All Level 3 student athletic trainers will be assigned to one term at each of the following venues: Western Oregon University, a local high school and Valley Football Center on the campus of OSU. At least 150 clinical hours per term are required for the student to achieve the OSU annual requirement of 450 clinical hours and achieve all designated Level 3 athletic training clinical competencies in each of the three 2-credit practicum courses. All Level 3 students should obtain a minimum of 15 clinical hours per week during each of the three, 10-week terms.

Level 4: Senior Athletic Training Student

All Level 4 student athletic trainers are required to return to the OSU campus for August/September preseason sport practices during the six weeks before the Fall Term classes start if requested by their clinical instructor. In this final clinical assignment, students will be assigned to one supervising ATC for the entire year. They will have the opportunity to work with the athletic program through all of its components including pre-season training, in season sport participation, out of season cross-training and out of season sport participation. Based on the high level of responsibility given to these students, there is not a per term hour requirement. The student will report to the certified athletic trainer assigned to that sport.

First Time Pass Rate On BOC Exam

The students graduating from our program have typically scored above the national average for first-time pass rates. Over the course of the past 5 years (2001-2005) our average first-time pass rate was 45.9% compared to a national average for curriculum candidates of 38.51%.

Program Administration

Mark Hoffman PhD, ATC
Program Director
mark.hoffman@oregonstate.edu

Kim Hannigan-Downs PhD, ATC
Clinical Coordinator
Kim.Hannigan-Downs.@oregonstate.edu