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College of Education - B.S. Athletic Training

B.S. Athletic Training

Robert Sterner, Ph.D.
Director/Advisor of Athletic Training Education
(856) 256-4500, ext.3767
sterner@rowan.edu

Douglas Mann, DPE, ATC
Clinical Coordinator
(856) 256-4500, ext. 3706
mannd@rowan.edu

Program Description
The Rowan University Athletic Training Education Program (RUATEP) in the Department of Health and Exercise Science is designed to prepare students for careers as Certified Athletic Trainers. The RUATEP is fully accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE).
Students that successfully complete all academic and clinical requirements within the RUATEP as well as Rowan University’s Bachelor’s of Science degree requirements are eligible to take the Board of Certification examination.

Click Here for Policies for Participation in Athletics (pdf)

Mission
The mission of the RUATEP is to provide a challenging and dynamic learning environment for the professional preparation of students so that they not only master the competencies and proficiencies needed to become an entry-level certified athletic trainer, but are equipped to be at a level of competency and professionalism which puts them among the most proficient graduates in the country.

Goals of the Program
The goals of the RUATEP program are fourfold:

  1. to challenge students to become competent athletic trainers.
  2. to instruct students in the principles of Professional practice.
  3. to challenge students to continue to become involved in scholarly and Professional activities.
  4. to challenge students to think and make critical and responsible personal and professional judgments.

Faculty and Staff Commitment to Athletic Training Students
The faculty and staff are devoted to maintaining the standard of academic and clinical excellence long associated with the RUATEP program.  All educators, both academic and clinical, are dedicated to exceeding the standards established by CAATE so that students become a competent and well-rounded Certified Athletic Trainer. Furthermore, the RUATEP program is committed to maintaining the objectives and philosophies in line with those established by the Department of Health and Exercise Science, the College of Education, and Rowan University. The faculty and staff are therefore fully dedicated:

  1. to striving to be fair and consistent in the administration of the policies, procedures, and regulations which govern the RUATEP.
  2. to establishing admissions criteria which are consistent with the program’s mission and goals.
  3. to establishing retention criteria which are consistent with the program’s mission and goals
  4. to monitoring students progress in the program using retention criteria, academic evaluations, and clinical evaluations as a means to provide an opportunity for students to develop as Professionals and individuals
  5. to orienting students to the NATA Code of Ethics so they can develop the appropriate standards of practice expected of Certified Athletic Trainers
  6. to providing students with direct supervision and guidance in order to facilitate the application of theory into the clinical practice of Athletic Training.
  7. to fostering and encouraging the development of Professional relationships and leadership skills necessary for the practice of Athletic Training.
  8. to providing an environment for the development of each student’s potential both Professionally and personally.
  9. to achieve student success on the Board of Certification examination and job placements that exceeds national normative data.

Board of Certification, Inc Exam Results over the Last Three Years
The Board of Certification, Inc Exam is the gate keeper to being able to practice in the athletic training profession. A student must graduate from a CAATE accredited program before they are able to sit for this exam. The RUATEP has had a high first time pass rate on the BOC, Inc exam. The ATEP is consistently above the national average for the first time pass rate (44%). Those students that did not pass on their first attempt were successful on their second attempt. Since 2006, no one has had to take the BOC, Inc exam for a third time. Below is an illustration of BOC, Inc Exam first time pass rates since AY 07-08

graph
The yellow bar indicates the national average (44%) for the BOC, Inc. Exam.

Potential Additional Costs:
The Athletic Training Education Program will require some additional costs above the standard tuition, fees and books.   These costs may include but are not limited to:

  1. Travel
    Students can expect to be given a clinical assignment that will require them to travel to an off-campus affiliated clinical to obtain their clinical education under the direct supervision of an Athletic Trainer.  All fees associated with this travel (ie, gas, food, etc) are the responsibility of the student.  Students can expect to be given an off-campus for a total of 1-2 semesters.  All attempts will be made so that students are not given off-campus clinical assignments on consecutive semesters.
  2. Professional Polo Shirts
    Students will be given one polo shirt when entering the professional phase. All additional professional clothing purchases are the responsibility of the student.
  3. Professional Equipment (Optional)
    Students may choose to acquire a side kit for on-field needs.  If the student chooses to purchase a side-kit, the student is responsible for the costs to supply equipment (ie, scissors, airways, resuscitation masks, etc).  Supplies (ie, gauze pads, ace wraps, band aids, etc) will be provided by the assigned clinical site.
  4. Professional Memberships
    Although not mandatory, students are encouraged to become NATA members.  Membership fees are the responsibility of the student
  5. Professional Conferences
    Going to professional conferences is highly encouraged by the Athletic Training Education Program.  A partial reimbursement program has been established through the Athletic Training Club.  The student must be an active member of the club in order to receive any reimbursements for going to professional conferences.  The left over balance for the conference is the responsibility of the student.