Admissions Information
Pre-requisites
State-mandated Pre-requisites for Athletic Training
| Course Number | Course Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BSC 2010 | Biology I - Cellular Processes* | 3 |
| BSC 2010 L | Biology I Laboratory | 1 |
| BSC 2085/L | Human Anatomy & Physiology I for Health Professionals | 4 |
| BSC 2086/L | Human Anatomy & Physiology II for Health Professionals | 4 |
| HUN 2201 | Human Nutrition^ | 3 |
| PHY 2053 | General Physics (Pre-requisite MAC 1147) | 3 |
| PHY 2053L | General Physics Laboratory | 1 |
| STA 2023 | Introductory Statistics I |
4 |
| PSY 2012 | Introduction to Contemporary Psychology | 3 |
* Pre requisite CHM 2045 General Chemistry I with Lab
^HUN 3932 (on-line, USF Polytechnic section 144) may be substituted for HUN 2201.
Download Athletic Training Pre-Requisite Checklist
Download Athletic Training Pre-requisite Course Sequence
Additional Admission Requirements for Pre-Athletic Training Majors
Students in the pre-athletic training program are required to complete and record 50 hours of observation with a Certified Athletic Trainer. Blood Borne Pathogen training must be completed prior to starting observation hours. Training is available through the USF Pre-Athletic Training Major's Blackboard site. Non-USF student should contact the ATEP Advisor for more information on Blood Borne Pathogen Training. Observation Hours Packet
Half of the observation hours must be completed in a "traditional" athletic training setting (e.g. high school, college, university, or professional sports venue). The remaining hours may be obtained in a sports medicine clinic. All hours must be completed under the supervision of a Certified Athletic Trainer. Observation forms are available on line or may be obtained from the Athletic Training Education Program office. All observation forms must be turned in with the application. Please note that if observation hours are obtained in a Hillsborough County High School, students must complete the SERVE background check paperwork prior to starting the hours. Click here for obsevation hours instructions.
Students must be certified in First Aid and CPR when applying for admission into the program, and certification must be maintained throughout the academic program. This may be initially accomplished by taking a First Aid course through USF (HSC 2400), or by taking courses through the American Red Cross, National Safety Council, or American Heart Association.
Students are required to meet the technical standards for admission or show potential for accomplished tasks with accommodations as determined by the Student Disability Office. More information on technical standards is available in the Athletic Training Education Program Policy & Procedure manual.
Important Information: USF is proposing a transition of the BSAT to an MAT beginning in 2015. The last undergraduate applications to the BSAT will be accepted February 1, 2014 for the 2014-15 academic year. All pre-requisites need to be completed or in progress at that time. Students not able to compete the pre-requisites prior to Spring of 2014 must meet with the Athletic Training Advising Office for more information.
Application Process
Applications for 2013-14 will be accepted until 5 pm February 1st, 2013
Applications for 2013-2014 will be accepted beginning January 15, 2013 and end February 1, 2013. All applications are due by 5 pm on February 1st. Interviews for those selected will be the week of March 4, 2013. Pre-Athletic Training students should contact the Athletic Training Advising Office for more information.
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" (33 credit hours) prior to the start of the program.
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!