The Athletic Training Program (ATP) at Bowling Green State 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. The technical standards set forth by the ATP establish the essential qualities considered necessary for admitted students to achieve knowledge, skills, and competencies of an entry-‐level athletic trainer, as well as meet the expectations of the program’s accrediting agency, the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE). The following abilities and expectations must be met by all students admitted to the ATP. In the event a student is unable to fulfill these technical standards, with or without reasonable accommodations, the student will not be admitted into the program.
Compliance with the program’s technical standards does not guarantee a student’s eligibility for the Board of Certification exam.
Candidates for selection to the ATP must demonstrate:
- The mental capacity to assimilate, analyze, synthesize, integrate concepts and problem solve to formulate assessment and therapeutic judgments to be able to distinguish deviations from the norm;
- 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;
- The ability to communicate effectively and sensitively with patients and colleagues, including 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.
- The ability to record physical examination results and a treatment plan clearly and accurately;
- The capacity to maintain composure and condition to function well during periods of high stress;
- The perseverance, diligence, and commitment to complete the ATP as outlined and sequenced;
- Flexibility and the ability to adjust to changing situations and uncertainty in clinical situations;
- Affective skills and appropriate demeanor and rapport that are related to professional education and quality patient care.
Candidates for selection to the ATP will be required to verify they understand and meet these technical standards or that they believe that, with reasonable accommodations, they can meet these standards.
Accessibility Services located at 38 College Park Office Building will evaluate a candidate who states he/she could meet the program’s technical standards with accommodations. Each candidate should submit a Request for Accommodation and a Disability Verification Form.
If a candidate has been determined to be eligible, then Accessibility Services and the ATP faculty will engage in an interactive process with the candidate to determine whether there are reasonable accommodations that will enable the candidate to meet the technical standards; this includes review of whether the accommodations requested are reasonable, taking into account whether an accommodation will jeopardize clinical/patient safety or lower academic standards or require substantial program alteration.