Admissions Information

Completion of the program awards students with a BS degree in Athletic Training. Students are not automatically admitted in the program and are considered pre-athletic training majors before being admitted into the program. The admission process includes prior admission into the University and participation in a selective admissions process. Top candidates will be invited for an interview, and interviews are held during February or March of each academic year. Admission into the program is at the junior year of school or after successful completion of the University's general education requirements and prerequisite course work in the Athletic Training Education Program.

The program begins each academic year in Summer Session C between the sophomore and junior year. Students are required to submit an Athletic Training Education Program Application no later than February 1 of each academic year for admission into the following summer session. Before the summer admission, students are required to have completed at least 60 semester credit hours and 50 hours of direct and documented observation of a Certified Athletic Trainer.

Students are required to:

• Be admitted to USF
• Meet the criteria for admission to the Athletic Training Education Program within the Department of Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine in the College of Medicine
• Complete the General Education Requirements of the University (36 credit hours)
• Meet CLAST exemption requirements or pass examination
• Meet the technical standards for admission or show potential for accomplished tasks
• Achieve a cumulative GPA of 2.8
• Achieve a prerequisite GPA of 2.8
• Submit a completed Athletic Training Application no later than February 1
• Complete an interview by invitation
• Complete all prerequisites (or equivalent) with at least a "C-" (34 credit hours)

Interview

Admission into the athletic training education program is a competitive process. In addition to academic preparation and a completed application packet, an interview with the athletic training education program faculty and staff is required The interview process provides for an opportunity for both the applicant and the interviewers to ask questions about each other as well as the program.

What to expect during the interview:

• A conversation about your interest in the athletic training education program
• The opportunity for you to ask questions about the program and the profession
• ATEP faculty and staff inquiring about your academic and clinical experiences

Successful interview tips:

• Professional appearance is an important character traits to possess and make a good first impression.
• Be yourself, provide honest and thoughtful responses
• Ask thoughtful questions
• Share your strengths and weaknesses that relate to your academic record and/or letters of recommendation
• Possess a good knowledge of the athletic training education program, including the expectations and time commitment required and expected of athletic training students
• Possess a clear understanding of the athletic training profession beyond undergraduate education

Keys to Success

• Strive to achieve academic success with all of your pre-requisite courses as well as all of the curriculum courses.
• Ask questions – not knowing is not helpful!
• Follow established guidelines of the university and the athletic training education program – they exist for a reason.
• Be professional at all times when you interact with others.
• Develop a knowledge of the athletic training profession and the types of expectations that are placed on athletic trainers, including work ethic, work environment, and personal life.
• Be humble – at all times!
• If you want to be an athletic trainer, get involved for the right reasons!