College of Health Sciences- Athletic Training
Dr. Renae Bomar, Director of the Athletic Training Program
Faculty: Dr. Renae Bomar, Mr. Steele Morris, and Ms. Caitlin Russell
The mission of the Charleston Southern University Athletic Training Program is to provide an educational setting and opportunities that demonstrate dedication to the preparation of servant leaders that excel in the field of athletic training grounded on an evidence-based approach. The program encourages the academic and personal development of its students to prepare them for a career in which biblical truths and evidence-based practice guide their thoughts and actions as a medical professional.
- Program graduates will develop the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities of a highly qualified health care professional in the field of athletic training with the ability to effectively work in a variety of clinical settings.
- Program graduates will develop the skills and attitudes of a life-long learner through on-going professional development utilizing evidence-based practice that will directly impact the quality of their patient care.
- Program graduates will develop the characteristics of an ethical clinician utilizing a servant-leader approach in an effort to impact the lives around them through the profession of athletic training.
- Describe the requisite information and knowledge (by program level) of injury prevention and management, clinical examination and diagnosis, and therapeutic inventions necessary to treat injuries to the physically active population.
- Demonstrate the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to provide exceptional health care as an entry-level certified athletic trainer.
- Comprehend and demonstrate, when possible, the use of modern equipment and technology utilized in the field of athletic training.
- Demonstrate effective communication (verbal and written) with a variety of health care practitioners and other members of the health care team.
- Demonstrate the use of evidence-based practice techniques by analyzing and applying current research in the field of athletic training.
- Become critical consumers of research and other publicly disseminated information by examining the scientific method and the role of research in developing knowledge in the area of athletic training.
- Comprehend and demonstrate the rationale for professional continuing education in the field of athletic training.
- Articulate the attributes of servant leadership in their role as a healthcare provider.
- Demonstrate professional behavior consistent with the NATA Code of Ethics and the BOC Inc. Standards of Professional Practice.
The Master of Athletic Training (M AT) degree program is a professional master’s degree for the profession of athletic training. The degree program will be 22 months in duration, totaling 65 academic credits. The curriculum will include 13 didactic courses, 7 clinical practice courses and one full clinical immersion in athletic training. The program plans to admit a maximum cohort of 16 students annually. The curriculum will be mostly a face-to-face model (residential graduate program) with some online courses. During the last semester of the program, if eligible, a student will sit the Board of Certification exam. Passing of this exam is needed to be able to be employed as a certified athletic trainer.
Candidates for selection into the Athletic Training Program (ATP) must meet the following criteria. Further explanation of these requirements can be found in the Graduate Catalog and the CSU ATP Student Handbook. Application materials can be requested from the Program Director.
Admission Pre-requisite Requirements
Regular Admission requires that the student has met ALL of the following requirements:
- The student has provided the Office of Enrollment Services with an application for admission by February 15th
- (Priority admission may be granted if a student submits their application and supportive paperwork on or before September 15th) of the given year that he/she is looking at starting in the program.
- * Please note that the rolling admission deadline is May 1st (if spots are still available).
- An application fee (nonrefundable) must accompany the application
- Cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
- Prerequisite Coursework
- Human Anatomy with lab (4 units)
- Human Physiology with lab (4 units)
- Anatomy and Physiology I and II with lab (8 units)
- Kinesiology or Human Movement Analysis course (3 units)
- Physiology of Exercise (3 to 4 units)
- Personal and Community Health (3 units)
- Nutrition (3 units)
- College Algebra or higher (3 units or higher)
- General Psychology course (3 units)
- College-Level Chemistry with lab (4 units)
- College-Level Physics with lab (4 units)
- General Biology with lab (4 units)
- Current and valid CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer and First Aid certifications (see Board of Certification at for a list of acceptable providers).
- Two letters of recommendations
- Resume (can be attached to application)
- Official transcripts from ALL institutions attended
- 50 observation hours under a certified athletic trainer
Official Acceptance
- Students are granted official acceptance by demonstrating the following:
- Provide proof of personal health insurance
- Provide proof of professional liability insurance
- Verification of completed drug screen (performed by CSU prior to start of program)
- Verification of criminal background check (performed by CSU prior to start of program)
- Signed Program Standards (see below) form (personal verification of the ability of the student to meet the Technical Standards during participation in the ATP with no compounding risks to one’s self and/or others within the health care environment)
- Provide proof of personal vaccinations (immunization record), which must include MMR, Varicella, Hepatitis B, Tetanus-diphtheria, Polio. Further, the AT student must provide a negative TB test (taken within the month of June prior to start of the program)
- $300 seat deposit
Program Standards
The Athletic Training Educational Program at Charleston Southern University is a rigorous and intense program that places specific requirements and demands on the students enrolled in the program. An objective of this program is to prepare graduates to enter a variety of employment settings and to render care to a wide spectrum of individuals engaged in physical activity. The program standards set forth by the Athletic Training Program establish the essential qualities considered necessary for students admitted to this program to achieve the knowledge, skills, and competencies of an entry-level athletic trainer, as well as meet the expectations of the programs accrediting agency (Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education [CAATE]). The following abilities and expectations must be met by all students admitted to the Athletic Training Program. In the event a student is unable to fulfill these program standards, the student will not be admitted into the program. Compliance with the program standards does not guarantee a student’s eligibility for the BOC certification exam.
Candidates for selection to the Athletic Training Program must demonstrate:
1) The mental capacity to assimilate, analyze, synthesize, integrate concepts and problem solve to formulate assessment and therapeutic judgments and to be able to distinguish deviations from the norm;
2) Sufficient postural and neuromuscular control, sensory function, and coordination to perform appropriate physical examinations using accepted techniques; and accurately, safely and efficiently use equipment and materials during the assessment and treatment of patients;
3) The ability to communicate effectively and sensitively with patients and colleagues, including individuals from different cultural and social backgrounds; this includes, but is not limited to, the ability to establish rapport with patients and communicate judgments and treatment information effectively. Students must be able to understand and speak the English language at a level consistent with competent professional practice;
4) The ability to record the physical examination results and a treatment plan clearly and accurately;
5) The capacity to maintain composure and continue to function well during periods of high stress;
6) The perseverance, diligence and commitment to complete the Athletic Training Program as outlined and sequenced;
7) Flexibility and the ability to adjust to changing situations and uncertainty in clinical situations;
8) Affective skills and appropriate demeanor and rapport that relate to professional education and quality patient care.
Candidates for selection to the athletic training program will be required to verify they understand and meet these program standards or that they believe that, with certain accommodations, they can meet the standards (compliance with the program standards does not guarantee a student’s eligibility for the BOC examination)
Retention Policy
A student must demonstrate progression through the ATP. A student’s status is jeopardized (i.e., probation and/or program dismissal) if he/she does not meet the following requirements:
Criteria:
1) Maintain an overall 3.0 GPA in ATP-based credit hours taken at CSU toward degree
2) Minimum grade requirement of a “C” in all courses
Consequence:
1) Recommended remediation plan set up by the student and the athletic training program faculty. A student will have a 15-week academic period to bring his/her overall GPA above 3.0. If a student is unable to bring their GPA to a 3.0 during this time period, he/she will be dismissed from the program. If a student’s GPA falls below a 3.0 at the conclusion of his/her last semester in the program, the student will not be eligible to receive his/her degree
2) Student will be dismissed from the program
Probation
Students failing to meet the requirements stated above will be placed on academic probation or dismissed from the ATP. The ATP faculty will conduct a review of academic progress at the end of each 7-week academic period and the student will be notified of his/her standing in the program if he/she does not meet the requirements stated above. Upon notification, the student will meet with the program faculty to discuss his/her status, discuss a remediation plan, and sign documentation regarding his/her status, which will be kept on file. Failure to reestablish academic standards within the determined time frame will result in program dismissal. Once dismissed from the ATP, students are NOT eligible for re-admission.
Academic Integrity Policy
Minimum Sanction for Academic Dishonesty (Per University Handbook)
- First Offense: Disciplinary probation (one full semester or four months). For all students, the convicted person will not be able to represent CSU as an office holder, club member, musician, ministry participant or in any other extracurricular activity for a period equal to two-tenths (20 percent) of the semester’s scheduled events. For athletes, this means the convicted person will not be able to represent CSU on the field of play for a term equal to two-tenths (20 percent) of the season’s schedule. This suspension will be in effect for consecutive games, meets, matches or tournaments.
- Second Offense: Disciplinary probation of at least one academic year. *For all students, this means the convicted person will not be able to represent CSU as an office holder, club member, musician, ministry participant or in any other extracurricular activity for a period equal to one-half (50 percent) of the semester’s schedule of events. This suspension will be in effect for consecutive events. For athletes, this means the convicted person will not be allowed to represent CSU on the field of play for a term equal to one-half (50 percent) of the season’s schedule. This suspension will be in effect for consecutive games, meets, matches, or tournaments.
- Third Offense: The student will be permanently expelled from the university.
Academic Progression
Given the sequential nature of the curriculum, students are expected to complete each semester on time as a cohort. Progression will be a function of successfully passing all required coursework in a unit (i.e., fall, spring, or summer semester), and the coursework for the unit will serve as the prerequisite requirement for the following unit (fall, spring, or summer semester courses).
Students may be allowed to progress within the AT program if they are in good academic standing, which is defined as earning a semester GPA of 3.0 or above.
The ability to progress in the program is subject to the discretion of the Athletic Training Program Director for the following circumstances:
· A student earning less than a semester GPA of 3.0 and is on academic probation.
· Earning one (1) final course grade below “C”.
· A clinical student who has earned a final course grade below “C” in their final semester and is on academic probation. The course grade must be successfully remediated (See Academic Probation, pages 60-61), which may delay program completion and graduation.
A student is subject to academic dismissal from the program for the following reasons:
· Earning two (2) final course grades below “C”.
· Failing to achieve a cumulative GPA of 3.0 at the end of the Spring semester of both Year 1 and Year 2 of the program.
· Earning two or more semesters (consecutive or non-consecutive) of academic probation.
1. If a student is remediating a course or course component, they may progress to the next unit at the discretion of the Athletic Training Program Director.
2. If a student receives disciplinary action per the professionalism policy (Professional Behavior Probation, page 65), such status will be reviewed at the end of each academic unit by the Athletic Training Program Director, who will determine if the student will be placed on academic probation and/or allowed to progress in the program.
Athletic Training Program Specific:
ACADEMIC PROBATION/DISMISSAL
Probation
Students must earn a minimum final grade of “C” in all courses. Any grade earned below a “C” will be subject to probation and remediation or result in academic dismissal. Students with a cumulative GPA below 3.0 may be permitted to progress in the curriculum under an Academic Probation status if progression is supported by the Athletic Training Program Director.
All students entering an Academic Probation period will be informed through a meeting with the Athletic Training Program Director, who will provide a written warning describing the Program’s expectations for academic performance, and a list of possible sanctions for continued non-compliance. The student will sign the document (see appendix H) acknowledging the severity of the situation and their understanding of the need for change in academic performance.
The student will be afforded the next scheduled semester grading period (i.e., summer, fall, or spring semester) to successfully raise their cumulative GPA to 3.0 or above to remove their Academic Probation status. Failure to raise their GPA to this minimum standard will be referred to the Athletic Training Program Director for program dismissal. Any subsequent return to Academic Probation status will also result in academic dismissal from the Athletic Training Program. In the unlikely event of a student earning a cumulative GPA of less than 3.00 after the completion of their final semester, the student will not be placed on Academic Probation status but will be referred to the Athletic Training Program Director for program dismissal.
Academic Probation is formal recognition of substandard academic performance in the program. It serves as an encouragement towards satisfactory academic performance, an official means to communicate the severity of a student’s academic or professional situation, and a means of identifying students at risk of being dismissed from the program for failing to meet learning objectives, course outcomes, or program standards. Students may be placed on academic probation as determined by the progression requirements above.
If a student has been placed on academic probation by the ATP Faculty, the Athletic Training Program Director will present the student with a letter indicating such student has been formally placed on probation. A copy of this letter will be sent to the CSU Registrar’s office, the Dean and Assistant Dean of the College of Health Sciences, the Athletic Training Program Director, and the student’s academic advisor. As a result of being placed on academic probation:
The Athletic Training Program Director will meet with the student within the first week of the regularly scheduled class after receipt of such a letter. Formal documentation will be entered into the student’s [academic] records noting status, expected outcomes, revised remediation plans, expected timelines, and clearly established consequences for the student’s failing to remediate probationary discrepancies.
1. Every student will meet regularly with their academic advisor to monitor progress. The timing/frequency of such meetings will be determined at the sole discretion of the advisor.
2. Every student will meet regularly with the course director of the course in which they are failing to meet academic success. The timing/frequency of such meetings will be determined at the sole discretion of the course director.
3. Students must follow the steps outlined in the “Formal Remediation” section of this policy as applicable to the circumstance of academic probation.
4. Academic and professionalism probation may be disclosed in any final verifications of training, employment letters, applications for state medical licensure, and any letters of reference from the CSU MAT program.
5. An individual student’s academic advisor must approve the student’s involvement in extracurricular activities and campus events.
A student may be removed from probation at the discretion of the ATP Faculty under the following circumstances:
1. The student successfully completes the subsequent grading period without earning any grades below a “B” while maintaining a cumulative GPA at or above 3.0 and/or
2. The student successfully remediates, demonstrating significant improvement in professionalism discrepancies or substandard performance.
If a student is removed from probation, the Athletic Training Program Director will present the student with a letter of formal notification that he or she has been removed from probation status. A copy of this letter will be sent to the CSU Registrar’s office, the program director, and the student’s academic advisor.
Should a student not satisfactorily improve through informal or formal remediation, they will be referred to the ATP Faculty for consideration of dismissal from the program in accordance with the progression requirements established in this policy.
PROFESSIONAL BEHAVIOR PROBATION
ATSs are expected to follow all the policies stated in the previous sections including but not limited to: NATA Code of Ethics, BOC Standard of Practice, Dress Code, Professional Behaviors, and class/clinical attendance.
Professional Behavior Probation will follow a three-strike approach.
- The first strike is a written warning placed in the ATS’s file. The ATS will also have to submit a personal professional behavior reflection paper based on the student’s infraction. (See Appendix H for reflection paper formatting guidelines.)
- The second strike is another written warning placed in the ATS’s file. The student will be placed on clinical probation and required to follow the remediation policy as noted below.
- The third strike is dismissal from the ATP.
*Please note that some infractions may be result in an immediate dismissal from the ATP and not eligible for the three-strike approach
ATSs are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner at all times. Students should remember that they are not only representing themselves, but the entire ATP, as well as CSU. Any misconduct or action taken by a student that in any way portrays a negative image upon the ATP or the University will be grounds for disciplinary action. The ATP Director, faculty, and/or preceptor(s) will review any and all incidents that are brought to their attention by clinical staff, other faculty members, students, coaches, etc. and determine the appropriate action to be taken. Severe misconduct or noncompliance with the policies and procedures stated within this handbook may be grounds for dismissal from the ATP. If dismissed from the ATP, the student is not eligible for re-admission into the program.
· Students must follow the steps outlined in the “Formal Remediation” section of this policy as applicable to the circumstance of academic probation.
· Academic and professionalism probation may be disclosed in any final verifications of training, employment letters, applications for state medical licensure, and any letters of reference from the CSU MAT program.
· An individual student’s Clinical Practice (CP) course instructor must approve the student’s involvement in extracurricular activities and campus events.
· The student will not be allowed to participate in further clinicals for a 1-3 week period as deemed by the Athletic Training Program Director on a case-by-case basis. *Please note that the clinical hour requirements listed in the CP course syllabus must still be met for the student to pass the class and continue to progress through the program.
· Completion of the remedial probationary period will include:
· Completion of the 1-3 week probationary period.
· The student successfully remediates by demonstrating significant improvement in professionalism discrepancies or substandard performance.
If a student is removed from probation, the Athletic Training Program Director will present the student with a letter of formal notification that he or she has been removed from probation status. A copy of this letter will be sent to the CSU Registrar’s office, the Dean and Assistant Dean of the College of Health Sciences, the Athletic Training Program Director, and the student’s academic advisor.
Should a student not satisfactorily improve through informal or formal remediation, they will be referred to the ATP faculty for consideration of dismissal from the program in accordance with the progression requirements established in this policy.
*Please note that some infractions (e.g., reports of any criminal convictions (with the exception of misdemeanor traffic offenses or traffic ordinance violations that do not involve the use of alcohol or drugs)) may result in an immediate dismissal from the ATP and are not eligible for the three-strike approach as deemed at the completion of an investigation by the Athletic Training Program Faculty and University Administration.
Program Dismissal
The student will be subject to dismissal from the Athletic Training Program if he/she:
1. Earns below a “C” in any course.
2. Fails to successfully raise their GPA to ≥ 3.0 within the given timeline.
3. Fails to remediate professional behaviors.
4. Fails to demonstrate mastery of course content.
5. Is placed on probation a second time at any time during their enrollment in the MAT program.
Once dismissed from the Athletic Training Program, students are NOT eligible for re-admission.
Deceleration
The CSU MAT Program curriculum is designed to be delivered on a full-time basis to students in a cohort. The program must be completed on a full-time basis and students are not eligible to opt into deceleration. Program policies may result in program-required deceleration for an approved leave of absence as outlined in the Leave of Absence section of this handbook.
Withdrawal by Request of the Student
A Withdrawal Form must be completed online to withdraw officially from CSU. The form is found in the student section of MyCSU under Forms (University Withdrawal Form) Students must first login using their student ID and PIN. Students are responsible for appropriate tuition and fees for all courses attempted, regardless of the grades assigned. Note that all financial and university property obligations must be satisfied to prevent “holds” from being placed against the student’s academic records. Such holds normally prevent transcript requests from being processed and can prevent future registration for classes. Other holds may apply (e.g., Athletic Training Program specific documentation).
CSU wishes to receive student input regarding reasons for withdrawal, including any problems that may have caused the withdrawal decision. This information is requested during the online withdrawal process. Students may be contacted as part of an effort to improve student services.
Withdrawal by Request of the Athletic Training Program
CSU reserves the right to require the withdrawal of a student whose conduct, general attitude, or influence is considered harmful to the university. Such administrative withdrawals or suspensions are generally handled through the Dean of Students’ Office.
Graduation Requirements
University Requirements
- To be eligible for graduation in the Master’s Degree Program, a student must complete professional core and specialization area requirements with a 3.00 GPA (see Graduate Catalog for specific degree requirements)
Athletic Training Program Requirements
- Completion of all professional coursework (65 units)
- Maintain overall 3.0 GPA in credit hours taken at CSU toward degree
- Earned minimum grades in all professional courses (see retention policy above)
- Completion of all clinical education requirements
- Completion of education competencies and clinical integrated proficiencies
- Completion of clinical hours
- Maintain good standing in the Athletic Training Program according to the policies and procedures stated in the CSU-ATP Handbook
- Follow BOC Inc. Standards of Professional Practice and NATA Code of Ethics
(Endorsement for the BOC Inc. examination requires program director approval.)
Being that this is a professional degree program no graduate course transfer credit will be accepted.
Charleston Southern Athletic Training program received 10 years of CAATE continuing accreditation. The Athletic Training program is now accredited through the 2027-2028 academic year.