Athletic Training
Dawn Michele Hankins, Ph.D., ATC, Associate Professor of Athletic Training,
Curriculum Director for Athletic Training;
dhankins@mckendree.edu; (618) 537-6917; MPCC
Katy Gayford, M.S., ATC/L, Instructor of Athletic Training,
Clinical Coordinator for Athletic Training;
(618) 537-6472; Clark Hall
Lance L. Ringhausen, B.S., ATC Head Athletic Trainer, Clinical Instructor;
llringhausen@mckendree.edu; (618) 537-6929; Fitness Center
William Dill, M.S., ATC Assistant Athletic Trainer, Clinical Instructor;
wedill@mckendree.edu; (618) 537-6929; Fitness Center
Kristin Hustedde, M.S., ATC Assistant Athletic Trainer, Clinical Instructor;
kmhustedde@mckendree.edu; (618) 537-6929; Fitness Center
Jay E. Noffsinger, M.D., Medical Director/Team Physician, Clinical Instructor
Lawrence N. Stein, M.D., Team Physician, Clinical Instructor
Current students and prospective students are encouraged to visit the Athletic Training
website at www.mckendree.edu/athletictraining.
McKendree University’s Athletic Training Education Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE).
Athletic Training is recognized by the American Medical Association as an allied healthcare profession. As such, athletic trainers may work in a variety of settings which can include: secondary schools, colleges and universities, hospitals, sports medicine clinics or other athletic healthcare settings. The athletic trainer works in cooperation with the team physician or other allied healthcare professional to provide complete care for athletes and/or patients. As specialists in prevention, recognition and rehabilitation of injuries, athletic trainers administer immediate emergency care and provide followup care to develop a treatment program based on medical, exercise, and sports sciences.
A Bachelor of Science with a major in athletic training can prepare a student to enter graduate study in preparation for a career in teaching or to pursue professional fields such as exercise physiology or physical therapy. Students are encouraged to seek a teaching certification, which will require a second major and may require an additional year of study. Students who choose to participate in intercollegiate athletics will be on a five year curriculum plan.
Mission Statement
The mission of the McKendree University Undergraduate Athletic Training major is to provide a comprehensive, progressive educational and clinical foundation to prepare the multi-skilled professional for a career in athletic training.
The educational program encompasses current research and formal instruction in the prevention, recognition, evaluation, and rehabilitation of the physically active. This preparation along with successfully passing the BOC certification examination will qualify students for entry-level careers in athletic training.
In order to become certified athletic trainers, students must show proficiency in twelve different content areas. Within each content area are specific tasks students must be able to perform. These tasks comprise cognitive and psychomotor competencies as well as clinical proficiencies which provide students with opportunities to show expert correctness and facility at combining skills in “real life” and simulated scenarios. Through advisement, coursework, and clinical experiences, students are provided with the necessary exposure for successful completion of these tasks.
Associated Program and Educational Learning Outcomes for all students:
1. Build a strong foundation on which all students can grow cognitively through the
development of critical reasoning skills.
2. Provide an environment for all students which fosters autonomous learning.
3. Demonstrate psychomotor skills required of an entry-level athletic trainer.
4. Practice personal reflection pertaining to the discipline of athletic training.
5. Preparation to meet the needs of a diverse population including the needs of those
engaged in everyday activity.
6. Demonstration of effective verbal and written communication skills.
7. Demonstrate learning over time through clinical proficiencies.
8. Establish research skills to encourage continued growth over the course of the
student’s professional career.
9. Provide comprehensive learning experiences.
10. Graduates will be adequately prepared to pass the Board of Certification (BOC).
Examination and become certified athletic trainers.
The overall health of the student must be adequate to enable the student to demonstrate the specific cognitive, psychomotor, foundational behaviors and clinical proficiencies required by the NATA Education Council in order to enter and complete the program. After acceptance into the program all students must undergo a physical examination sponsored by the college. The exam will include, but may not be limited to: vision, height, weight, blood pressure, past and present medical history, documentation of immunizations for measles, mumps, rubella and tetanus vaccination, orthopedic and general medical evaluation. Every student will have the opportunity to undergo HBV testing sponsored by the college after acceptance into the program.
Students who are considering application are directed to read the “Technical Standards” provided within the application packet for admission to the Athletic Training program.
Procedures for acceptance in the athletic training program:
Deadline for application for admission to the program is April 1. Students generally enter as sophomores; however transfer student admission is possible. Students wishing to transfer to McKendree University and the Athletic Training Program must apply for the program and submit to the same selection process as other candidates. Transfer students must have their transcript evaluated by the Registrar and the Program Director.
Acceptance of transfer pre-requisite coursework is subject to the approval of the Program Director pending review of content (appropriate syllabus, proficiencies, etc.). Students interested in admission as transfer students should review the Transfer Policy located on the McKendree University Athletic Training website.
Application pre-requisites:
1. Application form.
2. 3 recommendations: 2 from faculty who have had the student in class (non ATEP
faculty) and 1 personal recommendation (not immediate family).
3. Current GPA of 2.75 and an accumulative GPA of 2.50.
4. Complete the following four courses with a grade of C or better: HPE 158
Health, PED 206 First Aid (all applicants must provide a copy of CPR/PR card
as well as First Aid card), ATH 208 Principles of Athletic Training, and BIO 307
Human Anatomy and Physiology.
5. Complete 50 hours of directed observation through ATH 100 (applicants must
provide a copy of BPT card).
6. Complete a comprehensive written exam prior to admittance and pass with a
minimum of 80%. (Examination given last Friday in April)
7. Complete an interview with the Athletic Training Selection Committee.
Acceptance into the program is selective and based on the above criteria and space
available in the program. Each of the above items is weighted separately. Students are
accepted on total points achieved and their chronological ranking of total points in relationship
to space available in the program.
ALL APPLICANTS WILL BE NOTIFIED IN WRITING BY JUNE 1st (postmarked) REGARDING ACCEPTANCE INTO THE PROGRAM.
All students who receive acceptance into the program are accepted provisionally
until a background check is completed. The process is completed online through
www.certifiedbackground.com (domestic students) or Castlebranch (international students).
Costs are incurred by students for this process. For complete policy information
visit the athletic training education program website.
Procedures to remain in the athletic training program:
1. All students must maintain a minimum of 2.50 grade point average and grades of C or better in the major and supplementary courses (hours may be restricted if GPA is below 2.50).
2. All students must renew their Red Cross CPR/PR yearly.
3. All students must obtain a total of 1200 clinical hours. These hours are obtained through the following clinicals: ATH 308 or 309, 250A, 251A, 315, 402 and a non-academic rotation. Students are encouraged to participate in clinical experiences outside of McKendree University requirements by working sport camps, sport tournaments, State Game Competitions, etc. (a maximum of 200 hours may be used to fulfill the 1200 hours required by the program; however, all hours must
be under the direct supervision of a BOC ATC and the student must receive approval from the Program Director prior to the event).
4. All students are encouraged to become members of the NATA at least one year prior to taking the certification examination.
5. All students must complete a minimum of 3 mock practical exams with a minimum of 70%. Exams will begin in the fall of the 2nd Professional Year. Each student must participate in a minimum of 1 exam per semester (3 total attempts allowed).
ATHLETIC TRAINING MAJOR REQUIREMENTS 66 crs.
ATH 100 DIRECTED OBSERVATION (.5)
PED 121 PHYSICAL FITNESS (.5)
HPE 158 HEALTH (3)
LIB 200 FUNDAMENTALS OF INFORMATION LITERACY (1)
PED 206 FIRST AID (2)
ATH 208 PRINCIPLES OF ATHLETIC TRAINING (3)
HPE 220 NUTRITION (3)
ATH 250 EVALUATION AND ASSESSMENT OF (3)
LOWER EXTREMITY AND LUMBAR SPINE
ATH 250A EVALUATION AND ASSESSMENT I CLINICAL (2)
ATH 251 EVALUATION AND ASSESSMENT OF (3)
UPPER EXTREMITY, HEAD AND C-SPINE
ATH 251A EVALUATION AND ASSESSMENT II CLINICAL (2)
ATH 261 THERAPEUTIC MODALITIES (4)
ATH 262 THERAPEUTIC REHABILITATION (4)
ATH 300 CASE STUDIES IN ATHLETIC TRAINING (2)
BIO 307 HUMAN ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY (5)
ATH 306 OFF-SITE FIELD EXPERIENCE (3)
or
ATH 307 OFF-SITE FIELD EXPERIENCE (3)
or
ATH 308 OFF SITE FIELD EXPERIENCE (3)
or
ATH 309 OFF SITE FIELD EXPERIENCE (3)
ATH 315 GENERAL MEDICAL/PATHOLOGY CLINICAL (1)
PED 318 MOTOR LEARNING (3)
ATH 349 PHYSIOLOGY OF EXERCISE (3)
ATH 353 PHARMACOLOGY FOR ATHLETIC TRAINERS (3)
ATH 357 ADMINISTRATION AND DEVELOPMENT (3)
OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION AND ATHLETIC TRAINING PROGRAMS AND CURRICULA
ATH 402 FOOTBALL CLINICAL (3)
PED 403 KINESIOLOGY (3)
ATH 404 RESEARCH TOPICS IN ATHLETIC TRAINING (3)
ATH 490 SEMINAR IN ATHLETIC TRAINING (3)
Supplementary requirements 11-12 crs.
PSY 153 INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY (4)
MTH 310 STATISTICS (4)
PSY 311 STRESS MANAGEMENT (3)
or
PSY 322 PSYCHOLOGY AND SOCIOLOGY OF HUMAN AGING (4)
or
PSY 401 SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY (3)
or
PSY 402 ADULT DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY (3)
Recommended Courses
CHE 105 COLLEGE CHEMISTRY I (5)
CHE 106 COLLEGE CHEMISTRY II (5)
HPE 212 DRUG EDUCATION (3)
PHI 391 BIOMEDICAL ETHICS (3)
PHY 211 GENERAL PHYSICS I (4)
PHY 212 GENERAL PHYSICS II (4)
ATH 100 DIRECTED OBSERVATION IN ATHLETIC TRAINING (.5)
Designed to give students the opportunity to directly observe the components involved in the field of Athletic Training. Assignment includes a minimum of 1 hour of observation per week in one of the college athletic training rooms and 2-3 week rotation with various athletic teams. Students accumulate a
maximum of 50 hours. All students are under the direct supervision of a certified athletic trainer. All students applying to the athletic training program must complete ATH 100. Each Semester.
ATH 208 PRINCIPLES OF ATHLETIC TRAINING (3)
This course provides the foundation for those students pursuing a career in athletic training as well as for those students seeking a coaching minor. Fundamental information regarding prevention, recognition, taping, rehabilitation and modalities appropriate in the care of athletic injuries will be discussed. Laboratory work in the classroom and athletic training room is required. Annually, Spring.
ATH 250 EVALUATION AND ASSESSMENT
OF LOWER EXTREMITY AND LUMBAR SPINE (3)
The first of two courses designed to teach student athletic trainers proper injury evaluation techniques. Students will study the lower half of the body (lumbar spine, gait and lower extremities). This course is taken concurrently with ATH 250A. Clinical work in the classroom, sports setting and athletic training room will involve: anatomy, biomechanics, muscle testing, special tests and taping. Prerequisites: PED 158, 206, ATH 208, BIO 307 and admission to the Athletic Training Program. Annually, Fall.
ATH 250A EVALUATION AND ASSESSMENT I CLINICAL (2)
Clinical experience involving evaluation and identification of athletic injuries of the lower body. Supervision by ACI. This course is taken concurrently with ATH 250. Annually, Fall.
ATH 251 EVALUATION AND ASSESSMENT OF UPPER EXTREMITY, HEAD AND C-SPINE (3)
The second of two courses designed to teach student athletic trainers proper injury evaluation techniques. Students will study the upper half of the body (head, cervical and thoracic spine and upper extremities). This course is taken concurrently with ATH 251A. Clinical work in the classroom, sports setting and athletic training room will involve: anatomy, bio-mechanics, muscle testing, special tests and taping. Prerequisite: ATH 250. Annually, Spring.
ATH 251A EVALUATION AND ASSESSMENT II CLINICAL (2)
Clinical experience involving evaluation and identification of athletic injuries of the upper body. Supervision by ACI. This course is taken concurrently with ATH 251. Annually, Spring.
ATH 261 THERAPEUTIC MODALITIES (4)
A study of the principles and effects of different modalities used in treatment of athletic injuries. Physiological effects, rationale and application of different modalities in the care of athletes will be discussed. Practical examination. Includes lab. Prerequisite: enrolled in ATH 250 and ATH 250A and/or
consent of instructor. Annually, Fall.
ATH 262 THERAPEUTIC REHABILITATION (W) (4)
A study of the principles and effects of different rehabilitation techniques used in the treatment of athletic injuries. Biomechanics, physiological effects, rationale and application of exercise techniques and devices. Practical examination. Includes lab. All students are required to write one in-depth rehabilitation program. Prerequisite: ATH 250, 250A, enrolled in 251, 251A and/or consent of instructor. Annually, Spring.
ATH 280-289 SPECIAL TOPICS IN ATHLETIC TRAINING (1-4)
As needed.
ATH 300 CASE STUDIES IN ATHLETIC TRAINING (2)
This course provides students with in depth synthesis and evaluation in the areas of ethics, law, assessment and counseling specific to the field of athletic training. Annually, Fall.
ATH 306 OFF-SITE FIELD EXPERIENCE (3)
Clinical experience in a physician’s office working with a physician extender. Supervision by ACI. Prerequisite: Junior or Senior standing and consent of Program Director. Students are not allowed to participate in intercollegiate athletics while completing this course. Each semester.
ATH 307 OFF-SITE FIELD EXPERIENCE (3)
Clinical experience in an off-site College/University setting. Supervision by ACI. Prerequisite: Junior or Senior standing and consent of Program Director. Students are not allowed to participate in intercollegiate athletics while completing this course. Each semester.
ATH 308 OFF-SITE FIELD EXPERIENCE (3)
Clinical experience in an off-site clinic/high school setting. Supervision by ACI. Prerequisite: Junior or
Senior standing and consent of Program Director. Students are not allowed to participate in intercollegiate athletics while completing this course. Each semester.
ATH 309 OFF-SITE FIELD EXPERIENCE (3)
Clinical experience in an off-site high school setting. Supervision by ACI. Prerequisite: Junior or Senior standing and consent of Program Director. Students are not allowed to participate in intercollegiate athletics while completing this course. Each semester.
ATH 315 GENERAL MEDICAL CLINICAL (1)
Clinical experience focusing on general medical conditions as well as medical history, taking vital signs, use of stethoscope, otoscope and chemstrip and breathing patterns. Weekly involvement with one of the team physicians and supervision of ACI. Prerequisite: ATH 250, 250A, 251, 251A. Each semester.
ATH 349 PHYSIOLOGY OF EXERCISE (3)
An examination of the effects of physical activity on the various systems of the body. Special emphasis on nutrition, energy expenditure, training, performance, environmental stress and body composition. Students will be required to design and perform various exercise prescription techniques. Prerequisite: BIO 307. Same as PED 349. Annually, Fall.
ATH 353 PHARMACOLOGY FOR ATHLETIC TRAINERS (3)
Introduction to the general principles of pharmacology. Prescription and non-prescription drug indications, contraindications, dose information, allergies, precautions of use, and adverse side effects as they relate to the physically active person. Students will also discuss and debate the issues surrounding drug testing. Practical examination. Same as PED 353. Prerequisite: BIO 307. Annually, Fall.
ATH 357 ADMINISTRATION AND DEVELOPMENT OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION AND ATHLETIC TRAINING PROGRAMS AND CURRICULA (3)
Theory, practice and examination of the administrative requirements of the physical educator, athletic administrator and athletic trainer relative to organizational structure, facility design, budget, risk management, human resources and curriculum. Same as PED 357. Annually, Spring.
ATH 365 EVALUATION AND ASSESSMENT I TEACHING PRACTICUM (2)
Clinical teaching experience working with ATH 250A students. Supervision by ACI. Prerequisite: Senior standing, minimum major GPA of 3.0 and consent of Program Director. Annually, Fall.
ATH 366 EVALUATION AND ASSESSMENT II TEACHING PRACTICUM (2)
Clinical teaching experience working with ATH 251A students. Supervision by ACI. Prerequisite: Senior standing, minimum major GPA of 3.0 and consent of Program Director. Annually, Spring.
ATH 367 THERAPEUTIC MODALITIES TEACHING PRACTICUM (1)
Clinical teaching experience working with ATH 261 students. Supervision by ACI. Prerequisite: Senior standing, minimum major GPA of 3.0 and consent of Program Director. Annually, Fall.
ATH 368 THERAPEUTIC REHABILITATION TEACHING PRACTICUM (1)
Clinical teaching experience working with ATH 262 students. Supervision by ACI. Prerequisite: Senior standing, minimum major GPA of 3.0 and consent of Program Director. Annually, Spring.
ATH 402 FOOTBALL CLINICAL (3)
Clinical experience in the daily operation and care of football athletes throughout the season. Supervision by ACI. Students are not allowed to participate in intercollegiate athletics while completing this course. Prerequisite: ATH 250, 250A, 251, 251A, 261 and 262. Annually, Fall.
ATH 404 RESEARCH TOPICS IN ATHLETIC TRAINING (W) (3)
Study of research methods and design applicable to research in athletic training. Students will be expected to organize, write and complete a proposal before the end of the semester. Prerequisite: MTH 310 and Senior standing. Annually, Fall.
ATH 455 CONCEPTS OF RESISTANCE TRAINING (4)
Study of the application of principles of anatomy, physiology and exercise physiology in the recommendation of resistance exercises for the improvement in health and athletic performance. This course also serves as preparation for those students interested in sitting for the CSCS exam given by the NSCA Certification Commission. Same as PED 455. Prerequisite: BIO 307, ATH 349 and senior standing. Annually, Spring.
ATH 460 FIRST AID/CPR/AED INSTRUCTOR (3)
Designed to train individuals to become Red Cross Instructors who can teach FirstAid/CPR/AED courses. Completion of Fundamentals of Instructor (FIT) through this course or possession of a current national Health and Safety Instructor Authorization is required. Prerequisite: Minimum age 17 and successful completion of a pre-course session including a written exam (pass 80% or better) and demonstrated competency in the pre-course skills evaluation. Annually, Fall.
ATH 480 INDEPENDENT STUDY (1-4)
ATH 490 SEMINAR IN ATHLETIC TRAINING (3)
A capstone course in Athletic Training focusing on reviewing and integrating athletic training knowledge into real life scenarios. Prerequisites: ATH 306, 307, 308 or 309, 315, 250A, 251A, and 402. Annually, Spring.