Athletic Training (BS.ATR)

This program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE), which allows students to take the Board of Certification (BOC) Examination. After successful completion of the BOC examination, an individual will hold the credential of a certified athletic trainer (ATC). Students should make formal application to the Athletic Training (AT) Program through the Director of Athletic Training during the spring semester of their freshman year. The selection criteria are posted on the Castleton Athletic Training web site, and are also explained in AHS 1060 - Introduction to the Athletic Training Profession . Enrollment in this program is limited and merely completing the application process does not guarantee admission into the program. Once accepted into the program, students must complete six semesters of clinical field experiences working under the direct supervision of a certified athletic trainer at Castleton or an approved site. Any student may take courses within the program; however only students formally accepted into the AT Program may serve as athletic training students and participate in the clinical field experience.

Transfer students must follow the same application process and course sequence as traditional students and should meet with the Director of the AT Program early in the admissions process. The Director must approve the transfer of athletic training content courses. The Transfer and Late Application Policy is available on the Castleton AT web site. Students must meet minimum health and technical standard requirements to be eligible to participate in the AT Program. The health and technical standards can be found in the AT Admission Packet, which is available on the Castleton AT web site. In addition, once accepted into the AT Program, students must meet minimum academic and clinical retention requirements. These requirements are outlined in the AT Student Handbook which is distributed to students formally admitted into the program, and it is available in electronic form on the web site. The clinical field experience requires travel to off-campus sites that would necessitate the use of a vehicle and involve associated travel expenses.

Athletic Training Education Mission Statement

The mission of the CAATE- accredited AT Program at Castleton is to provide a comprehensive and progressive academic and clinical education experience for students. This experience at Castleton will prepare students to pass the Board of Certification (BOC) examination and achieve entry level employment in the field of Athletic Training. The AT Program will provide formal instruction and clinical training in the following content areas:

• Evidence-Based Practice
• Clinical Examination and Diagnosis    
• Therapeutic Interventions
• Psychosocial Strategies and Referral
• Prevention and Health Promotion
• Acute Care of Injury and Illness
• Health Care Administration
• Professional Development and Responsibility

The AT Program accepts the overall mission of Castleton to provide the opportunity for intellectual and personal growth of students through excellence in teaching, close student-faculty interaction, numerous opportunities for out of classroom learning, and an active and supportive campus community. The AT Program strives to prepare students for meaningful careers, further academic pursuits, and productive citizenship.

Athletic Training Program Goals

1. Students will critically apply content knowledge to real world situations and tasks.
2. Students will demonstrate professional responsibility and ethical behavior relevant to the field of athletic training.
3. Students will demonstrate competency and clinical proficiency in the five domains of athletic training.
4. Students will secure appropriate employment in Athletic Training or a related field, or gain admission to a graduate program of study.
5. The AT Program will provide high quality didactic and clinical instruction and learning opportunities to the students.

Athletic Training Program Objectives

1. Students will demonstrate effective clinical application of athletic training skills learned in didactic coursework.
2. Students will demonstrate adherence to the core foundational behaviors and professional attributes of health care providers.
3. The annual 1st time pass rate for the BOC examination for Castleton students will be at least 10% above the national average.
4. Annual assessment of program graduates will reveal at least 90% of our graduates secure appropriate employment in AT or a related field, or gain admission to a graduate program of study.
5. The AT Program will continually assess didactic and clinical education instruction and opportunities.