OBSERVATION REQUIREMENT FOR STUDENTS APPLYING FOR THE ATHLETIC TRAINING EDUCATION PROGRAM
The enclosed information is for all students interested in applying to the athletic training education program. Included in this information is the four year plan for the athletic training education program, observation log sheet and additional application information. Application for admittance into the athletic training education program can begin during a students fall semester of their sophomore year. Each semester, the number of students accepted into the clinical experience portion of the major is based upon the availability of clinical opportunities. No student may graduate with the Athletic Training major without completing the clinical requirements.
Application Deadline: All information requested on the application form is to be turned into:
Neal Dutton
ATEP Program Director
Bethel University
3900 Bethel Drive
St. Paul, MN 55112
(651) 638-6255
RC 254
All materials are due by January 7th.
Personal Interviews:
Personal interviews with the selection committee will be held during Interim. Which days will depend upon how many students are applying and their class schedules.
ATEP Orientation Sessions:
Goals: During the fall semester, prior to applying to the ATEP, students are required to attend ATEP Orientation Sessions. The purpose of these sessions are to prepare students for completing their observations sessions. These sessions will be held periodically throughout the semester. The following are required tasks that must be met prior to students completing any observation sessions:
1. Attend orientation session regarding blood borne pathogen training and fill out required documentation regarding the completing of the training.
2. Must read the Bethel University Communicable Diseases Policy and fill out the Student Illness Policy on Communicable Diseases form and submit to the program director.
Note - The Bethel University Communicable Diseases Policy can be found under the forms section of the ATEP webpage.
Observation Sessions:
Goals: The observation sessions are a critical part of the application process. The two main goals of these sessions are (1) for you to get an overall impression of the program and ask yourself -"Is this for me?" and (2) for the students in the program to get to know you and your goals.
Overall Description:
You will be required to complete a minimum of five observation periods througout the fall semester. You may complete, and are encouraged to complete, more than the five observations. The five required observation periods must include observations in each of the following categories:
Athletic Training Room -(10 total hours - may be completed in 1-2 hour blocks)
1 Rehabilitation Session -(1 hr) - This session can be completed either in the spring or in the following fall.
2 Preparation/practices, each with a different sport. -(3 hrs each)
1 Special event/game (preparation up to finish of event or 3 hours). - This event may be completed in the spring or in the following fall. The event must be either a collision or high risk sport (ie. Football, hockey, basketball, volleyball, soccer, baseball or softball).
*Specifics regarding these observations are explained below.
Arranging Observations: You may arrange your observation periods through the senior athletic training students (Unless completing Athletic Training Room, details will be explained in a different section). You will be given a list of senior athletic training students and a phone list. It is your responsibility to contact them. You are required to contact them a minimum of 2 days before you plan on doing the observation DON'T WAIT UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE. Not everyone can be at a practice/training room/etc. at the same time - there is plenty of time for everyone if you space yourselves out.
*Remember that you are an observer. Please take advantage of your opportunities to learn, but do your best not to be in the way, especially in an emergency situation. You may be asked to help with simple tasks-carrying ice, cleaning tables, etc. If you are asked to do something that makes you uncomfortable, please tell a certified athletic trainer.
Observation Notebook:
You should be keeping the log sheet (included in this information packet) and a notebook regarding your observations. These should be typed or neatly written and you will be asked to hand these in with your application. Each observation listing should include date, time, and who you were with, answers/comments pertaining to the specific tasks of each observation, and any additional information you wish to include.
Specifics Regarding...
...Athletic Training Room Observation: (10 hrs.) In order to set up your athletic training room observations it is not necessary to contact a senior athletic training student, however you must report to the certified athletic trainer that is in the athletic training room. It is not necessary to complete the 10 hours of observation at one sitting. It is recommended that you observe 10 times for 1 hour. This will give you a good variety of the daily operation of the athletic training room. During your athletic training room observation, become familiar with:
A: What are the hours of the athletic training room - what kind of hours do the athletic training students work? -What teams work out of the athletic training room? -Where is equipment/supplies located? - what items are kept in the athletic training room?-What kind of "records" are kept in the athletic training room?
B: How does the athletic training room deal with the issue of blood-borne pathogens? What equipment and supplies are kept in the athletic training room for dealing with blood-borne pathogens? How do the athletic training students prepare for games, etc. in regards to the potential for a blood spill.
C: Have one of the athletic trainig students teach you a taping procedure (ie. Ankle taping, applying an elastic wrap, etc.) Once you have completed the 10 hours of observation please give your evaluation sheet to one of the Certified Athletic Trainers.
...Rehabilitation Session: (1 hr.)
Once a week, usually on Tuesdays, athletes come to the athletic training room for scheduled rehabilitation. In order to complete this observation it will be necessary to contact either Janet Johnson, PT., ATC/R or the athletic training student working with rehab. You must contact them a minimum of 2 days prior to your wanting to complete the observation. They will offer times that will work based on when the athletes come in for rehab. During your observation of the rehabilitation sessions, become familiar with:
A: The function/role of the athletic trainer in designing rehabilitation programs?
B: What kind of equipment is used and how is it used in rehabilitation?
C: Ask a athletic training student who is working with an athlete to describe the case. Draw up a case study - how was the athlete injured? What were the treatment parameters for that day? What are the goals of the rehabilitation program at this point? (When you write this up - please do not use the name of the athlete) After you have completed each hour of observation please give your evaluation sheet to Janet or the athletic training student.
...Sport Observations (3hrs.)
Attend a preparation period and practice for at least (2) different sports. These sports can include:
-Men's Basketball, Women's Basketball, Men's Hockey, Volleyball , Women's Hockey, Football, Men's Soccer, Women's Soccer or Cross Country
Become familiar with:
A: When should an athletic trainer be in the athletic training room to prepare for a practice?
B: How does an athletic trainer prepare for a practice?
C: How many hours - on average - does a athletic training student spend taking care of a team?
D: What are some of the responsibilities of the athletic training student?
E: What is the appropriate dress code of a athletic training student?
F: What does a athletic training student do during a practice?
G: How long does a athletic training student stay after a practice and what are their concerns?
...Special Events: (preparation up to finish of event or 3 hours)
A listing and sign-up of special events is located on the bulletin board in the training room. Special events include any games, matches, tournaments, meets, etc. Please let the student athletic trainer know that you will be attending these events. Be present for pre-event preparation, and please stay at least one hour in to event time. Become familiar with:
A: Are there any differences in preparing for a game vs. practice?
B: Do the athletes act differently? Is the environment different?
C: What kind of emergency plan should a athletic training student follow if an emergency arises?
D: What kind of emergencies should a athletic training student be aware of?
Transfer Student Policy
Students transferring to Bethel University from another college or university must submit transcripts of all college work to the Office of the Registrar. The registrar will determine which courses will transfer to Bethel. Submission of detailed course syllabi may be required to properly evaluate transfer courses.
The ATEP Program Director and the Registrar will work together to determine which Athletic Training related courses will transfer to the ATEP at Bethel. Transfer students must meet all college guidelines given in the Bethel University catalog for transfer students and must take HPE279, HPE 325, HPE331, HPE332, HPE333, HPE335, HPE350, HPE355, HPE 386, HPE435, and HPE478 at Bethel University. It is recommended that students transfer to Bethel University in the fall semester in order to complete the observations required for admission to the ATEP in the spring semester.
Transfer students applying to the athletic training education program must:
A) Complete the required observations. The five required observation periods must include observations in each of the following categories:
Athletic Training Room - (10 total hours - may be completed in 1-2 hour blocks)
1 Rehabilitation Session - (1 hr)
2 Preparation/practices, each with a different sport. - (3 hrs each)
1 Special event/game (preparation to finish of event or 3 hours).
Or
B) Submit documentation of a minimum of 50 hours of clinical experience in a college or university athletic training setting under the direct supervision of a BOC Certified Athletic Trainer.
Once a student is admitted to the ATEP, all required Clinical Education modules must be completed as outlined in the Clinical Requirements section of the ATS Manual. Students will be allowed to transfer a maximum of 200 clinical education hours at the discretion of the Program Director. Students transferring with ATS experience must be in the Bethel College ATEP a minimum of four semesters to complete coursework and clinical experiences.
Selection Process
Applicants are evaluated based upon:
Cumulative GPA
GPA in prerequisite courses
Letters of reference
Personal interviews
Written application materials
After the selection process is complete, all applicants will be notified of the Selection Committee's decision.
Appeals to the Selection Committee must be made in writing to the Program Director no later than 7 days after the notification letter. The Selection Committee and the HPE Chair will review all appeals.