Program Outcomes

Due to the hard work, dedication, and personal sacrifice required to succeed and prosper in our AT curriculum, and to the specific guidelines set forth by our accrediting body (CAATE), we impose restrictions on the number of students that can enroll in the program. Additionally, at the completion of the student's sophomore year, he or she must apply to be formally accepted/retained in the Athletic Training major. Acceptance/Retention is a competitive process based on an applicant's level of achievement according to grade point average; and clinical involvement; and since space is limited, students must maintain satisfactory performance to be admitted/retained in the program for the junior & senior years.

It is therefore suggested that each potential Athletic Training student carefully consider the necessary commitment, and discuss these demands with an Athletic Training faculty member and/or their academic adviser. Once admitted, all AT majors should make every attempt to adhere to the course sequence as described in the College's undergraduate catalog and contained in the curriculum portion of this website.

Freshman Year:

• Maintain minimum overall GPA of 2.75, including a C- or better, in the following:
  • EXSS - 12000 & 12100 (Anatomy & Physiology I & II)
  • EXSS - 24600 (Prevention & Care of Athletic Injuries)
  • EXSS - 25000 (Athletic Training Techniques I)
• Attend all required semester seminars & Athletic Training meetings
• Clinical hours in the athletic training room are not required of freshman AT majors

Sophomore Year:

• Maintain a minimum cumulative, overall GPA of 2.75
• Maintain a minimum GPA of 3.00 in the following Athletic Training courses with grade no lower than C-:
  • EXSS - 24800, 25500, 25600, 25100, 29800 [Fall], & 25200, 25700, & 30000 [Spring]
• Completion of basic & applied science courses with no grade lower than C-:
  • EXSS - 12000, 12100, 22000, & 22100
• Complete all competencies/proficiencies required for Clinical Experience in Athletic Training I & II (EXSS - 29800 & 30000)
• Completion of 60 hours Clinical Experience as assigned during prior academic year (embedded in CE in AT I & II)
• Attend all assigned practices, games & designated Athletic Training Clinic hours
• It's required for all ATS to receive the hepatitis-B vaccine (available at the Hammond Health Center at student's expense, if needed) before beginning clinical experiences in the fall semester, sophomore year. If a student declines, a signed waiver should be on file with the Program Director.
• Signed and submitted documentation of a physical examination, including updated immunization records by an MD that verifies the physical abilities to carry out the duties of an athletic training student (see Technical Standards), within 1 calendar year of the application. Athletic PPEs from IC can fulfill this requirement and sophomores are required to submit documentation for this requirement at the beginning of the sophomore year
• Signed Technical Standards, OSHA/BBP, HIPPA/FERPA & Infectious Disease Policy forms

NOTE - You need only attend those practices assigned to you; accumulating additional hours above 60 will not overshadow other deficiencies in your application.

Retention Requirements – Sophomore Review

At the end of the student’s sophomore year, all students must apply to be formally reviewed for retention (or initial admission*) in the AT major. When filling out the formal application for retention/ initial admission, the student must fill out the form relating to the program’s technical standards. Retention is a competitive process based on an applicant’s level of achievement according to the criteria stated above. Students should be aware that following a successful sophomore review, a minimum of 720 additional hours of clinical experience and clinical internship experiences over a minimum of four semesters is required to complete the AT major. Because a high percentage of the clinical experience hours coincide with athletic practice time, pursuit of the AT major sometimes precludes participation in intercollegiate athletics at Ithaca College after the sophomore year. Students wishing to partake in intercollegiate athletics during their junior and senior years are required to meet with the Program Director (Dr. Geisler) and/or the Clinical Coordinator (Dr. McKeon) in order to assess the situation, and to lay out an individual plan that complies with program requirements (see note below for further details).

*Students wishing to transfer into the AT major should be aware that there may not be space availability in the program even though they may meet all of the sophomore review criteria.

Selection Criteria for Admission & Transfer to the Athletic Training Major

Information relating to admission to Ithaca College is available in the Ithaca College Undergraduate Catalog, and on the Admission website. This is available in hard copy and also in an online version. Institutional transfer policies and recommendations are located on the same page. Special Academic Status Policy for AT Majors is located in the IC Catalog. Criteria relating to transfer into the School of Health Sciences and Human Performance, and specifically into the AT major, can also be found in the IC Catalog.

In the event that more transfer students meet all sophomore review criteria than the number of spaces available in the major, the following weightings will be utilized to rank each student. If there is a tie, the highest GPA in the AT major will be selected, followed by overall GPA, interview, essay, & grade and performance achieved in Clinical Experiences in AT I & II.

Sophomore Retention/Admission Retention Criteria (Effective AY 2015-2016 to Current)

Juniors & Seniors (Athletic Training Students Assigned to Athletic Teams)

• Maintain a minimum GPA of 2.75 (3.00 in AT courses)
• Achieve a minimum grade of C- in all Athletic Training courses, as well as all remaining applied science courses
• Be knowledgeable of all information regarding team Athletic Training responsibilities
• Attend all assigned practices and games, and all assigned Athletic Training Clinic hours with professional decorum
• Complete a minimum of 60 hours of clinical experience per semester, plus an additional 480 Internship hours for a total of 780 hours by May of their graduating year.
• Take an active role in educating & mentoring underclass Athletic Training students
• Record all accrued hours accurately and honestly
• Complete all required Clinical Proficiencies for Clinical Experience in AT III - VI
• Demonstrated Professional Behavior in line with the NATA Code of Ethics and Professionalism, as deemed so by supervising Clinical Preceptors and Program Faculty
• Purchase professional liability insurance (automatically placed on your student bill after formal admission/retention in the AT major each summer)

A student failing to meet the minimum standards in any given semester will be placed on probation and given one semester to attain them. Failure to meet standards for two consecutive semesters will result in dismissal from the Athletic Training major. Any decision may be appealed in writing to the Program Director for review within 30 days of notification.