UVM athletic training students are part of a learning community that includes small class size and clinical experience that begins in the first year.

About Athletic Training

The job: Certified athletic trainers are highly trained medical professionals qualified to work in a number of settings in order to enhance the quality of health care for athletes and those engaged in physical activity. Working closely with physicians and other health care professionals, their expertise includes the prevention, evaluation, treatment, and rehabilitation of injuries incurred by the physically active.

The education: The purpose of the Athletic Training Education Program (ATEP) is to provide students the knowledge and practical skills to enter the profession of athletic training. In addition to required coursework, students complete clinical experiences under the direct supervision of certified athletic trainers at on-campus and off-campus sites. Graduates of the UVM athletic training education program earn a bachelor's of science degree (B.S.) in athletic training. For more information regarding student rights and responsibilities in the UVM ATEP, please consult the Student Manual.

Accreditation: The educational program in athletic training is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training (CAATE), 2201 Double Creek Drive, Suite 5006, Round Rock, TX 78664; Phone: (512) 733.9700; e-mail: caate@sbcglobal.net.

Graduates are eligible to sit for the Board of Certification (BOC) examination.

Admission Requirements

In addition to the fulfilling the requirements for all undergraduate degree students (see UVM undergraduate Admissions Criteria for details), students must apply to the clinical portion of the athletic training education program at the end of their first year.

Applicants must:

• Complete 50 hours of directed observation;
• Receive a B or better in AT 157 and AT 158;
• Attain a cummulative GPA of 2.5 or better;
• Be certified in CPR for the Professional Rescuer;
• Complete an interview with the program faculty;
• Meet the technical standards with or without accommodations as outlined in the CNHS Essential Functions on the CNHS website (Visit the main college site);
• Submit a formal application and supporting documents to the program director by April 11th of each academic year. Supporting documents include: applicant's medical history and physical assessment; personal and professional position statement; and three written recommendations.  

Selectivity and transfers into program: The clinical portion of the program is selective and space limited. A competitive review of applicants takes place at the end of each academic year by the Athletic Training Education Committee. Advanced Placement in the ATEP is available to transfer students with prior experience and coursework relative to Athletic Training. Applications for the program and criteria for the advanced placement application are available through the program director, Alan Maynard, via e-mail at: alan.maynard@uvm.edu.

Additional fees: There are costs associated with being enrolled in the UVM ATEP. These include but are not limited to: lab fees, personal liability insurance, immunization maintenance, apparel to adhere to dress code(s), and travel to and from off-campus clinical assignments and internships.  We also provide a detailed breakdown of these costs (pdf).

Academic Standards

Once students are enrolled, they are evaluated at regular intervals and must demonstrate mastery of educational competencies and a GPA of 2.5 or better to continue with the next assignment and to remain in good standing.

Curriculum

Click here for link to official UVM course descriptions.

First-Year, Fall Semester Courses

Course	Title	Credits
MLRS 003	Medical Terminology	2
CHEM 023	Outline of General Chemistry	4
ENG 001	Written Expression	3
MATH 009 or higher		3
EDPE 023	Advanced First Aid & Emer Care	3
NH 50	First Year Seminar	1
Total		16

First-Year, Spring Semester Courses

Course	Title	Credits
AT 157	Care and Prevention of Athletic Injuries	3
AT 158	Directed Observation in Athletic Training	2
NH 015	Personal Power in Health	3
PHYS 096	How Things Work	3
NFS 043	Fundamentals of Nutrition	3
Total		14

Second-Year, Fall Semester Courses

Course	Title	Credits
ANPS 19	Anatomy and Physiology I	4
AT 159	Practicum in Athletic Training I	2
AT 184	Evaluation and Recognition of Athletic Injuries I	4
PSYC 001	General Psychology	3
Humanities Elective	(PHIL, POLS, HST)	3
Total		16

Second-Year, Spring Semester Courses

Course	Title	Credits
ANPS 20	Anatomy and Physiology II	4
AT 160	Practicum in Athletic Training II	2
AT 185	Evaluation and Recognition of Athletic Injuries II	4
NFS 163	Sports Nutrition	3
SOC 19	Race Relations in the U.S.	3
Total		16

Third-Year, Fall Semester Courses

Course	Title	Credits
AT 161	Practicum in Athletic Training III	2
PT 213	Movement Science I	3
PT 244	Patient Management: Therapeutic Modalities	3
AT 195	Special Topics in Athletic Training	3
STAT 111	Elements of Statistics	3
Total		14

Third-Year, Spring Semester Courses

Course	Title	Credits
AT 162	Practicum in Athletic Training IV	2
AT 187	Rehabilitation Techniques in Athletic Training	3
RMS 188	Organiz & Leadership in AT and Exer Sci	2
RMS 220	Research Methods	3
RMS 251	Exercise in Health & Disease	3
EDPE 166	Kinesiology (if  grade in ANPS 19 <B); or Diversity Elective	3
Total		16

Fourth-Year, Fall Semester Courses

Course	Title	Credits
AT 190	Senior Clinical Experience I	6-12
NH 120	Health Care Ethics	3
Elective	Humanities	3
Total		12-18

Fourth-Year, Spring Semester Courses

Course	Title	Credits
AT 192	Senior Clinical Experience II (or Elective)	6-12
EXMS 242	Exercise & Sport Psychology	3
EDPE 267	Science of Strength Training, Conditioning and Biomechanics	3
RMS 280	Senior Research Experience (Elective)	1-4
Total		13-18

Clinical Experience

In addition to coursework, students are required to complete a minimum of 800 hours of clinical experience under the direct supervision of certified athletic trainers on campus and at local off-campus affiliate sites. The required 800 clinical experience hours is based upon three years in the program and takes a minimum of five semesters to complete.

Introductory period: First-year students are required to participate in an introductory period of directed observation consisting of at least 50 hours. During this time, the student becomes acquainted with the various daily duties and routines of the staff and athletic training students, the operations of the training room, and basic athletic training skills.

Assigned clinical instructors: Once admitted to the clinical portion of the ATEP, students are assigned to Approved Clinical Instructors. These assignments include team practice and game coverage, team travel, and sports therapy clinic coverage.

Students also have the option of a number of other practical experiences during their final year including conducting research, internships, observing in surgery, and more.

Graduation Requirements

In addition to the requirements of the university, students must complete 122 credits and 800 clinical hours. Clinical experiences must occur over a minimum of five semesters.

For more questions...

For more information about the Athletic Training Education Program, please contact:

The University of Vermont
Office of Student Services
002 Rowell Building
106 Carrigan Dr.
Burlington, VT 05405-0068
Phone: (802) 656-3858
Fax: (802) 656-2191
E-mail: Office of Student Services