Program Application
Program applications are available in the Program Director's office and are given to students in the fall semester course, PHED 155 Introduction to Athletic Training. Transfer students who have completed previous coursework that covers pre-requisite requirements for application may apply as early as the fall semester. All transfer applicants are considered on an individual basis by the Program Director and the College's Registrar. Transfer students may be admitted into the program in the semester following the application.
Freshman students make application to the program in the fall of their first year. Sophomore students may also apply during the fall semester. During the fall semester, students are required to complete an orientation to the program with an assigned mentor, attend an in-service on universal precautions and complete specified pre-requisite coursework. Freshman and sophomore students are admitted to the program during the fall semester following their acceptance into the program
Successful program applicants have the following credentials:
Students who wish to combine athletic training with a second major in teacher education must fulfill all requirements of both the athletic training major and the teacher education program, including the specific requirements for the desired teaching field(s). This combination will require more than 4 years to complete.
The athletic training program at West Virginia Wesleyan College 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 technical standards set forth by the Athletic Training Educational 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 program's accrediting agency (Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)). The following abilities and expectations must be met by all students admitted to the Athletic Training Educational Program. In the event a student is unable to fulfill these technical standards, with or without reasonable accommodation, 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 NATABOC certification exam.
Candidates for selection to the WVWC Athletic Training Educational 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 education program as outline 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 educational program will be required to verify they understand and meet these technical standards or they believe that, with certain accommodations, they can meet the standards.
The Office of Student Development will evaluate a student who states he/she could meet the program's technical standards with accommodation and confirm that the stated condition qualifies as a disability under applicable laws.
If a student states he/she can meet the technical standards with accommodation, then the College will determine whether it agrees that the student can meet the technical standards with reasonable accommodation; this includes a review as to whether the accommodations requested are reasonable, taking into account whether accommodation would jeopardize clinician/patient safety, or the educational process of the student or the institution, including all coursework, clinical experiences and internships deemed essential to graduation.
Admission into the athletic training major is selective and limited. The number of students accepted into the program each year is based on the availability of clinical supervisors and quality clinical instruction. Students must meet the following eligibility requirements for formal admission into the athletic training major:
1. A cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher.
2. Completion of the following pre-requisites with no grade below a "C": BIOL 151, 152; PHED 130,140,155, 160
3. Submission of a written application, including two letters of recommendation.
4. Successful completion of an interview with the athletic training faculty and clinical instructors.
5. Completion of 60 observational hours and required first-year clinical competencies.
6. 6. Attendance at A.H.A. Heathcare Provider CPR/AED in-service and successful completion of certification.
7. Attendance at Universal Precautions in-service and proof of HVB vaccination (or initiation of the series). Series must be completed prior to enrollment in PHED 213 Clinical Techniques in Athletic Training I.
Selection criteria are weighted as follows:
Overall Grade Point Average 10% Pre-requisite Courses GPA 20% Written Application 15% Letters of Recommendation 10% Interview 20% Clinical Competencies 15% Observation Hours 10% 100%
Selection Committee
The committee in charge of collecting and reviewing all written applications to the WVWC Athletic Training Educational Program, as well as conducting interviews of each candidate, shall be made up of:
Director of Athletic Training
2- Faculty Athletic Trainers
2- Staff Athletic Trainers
1 (minimum only) – Licensed Physical Therapist
1 (minimum only) – Licensed Physical Therapist or Certified Athletic Trainer from a
local Sports Medicine Clinic
1 (minimum only) member of the WVWC Athletics Department Coaching Staff
Petition ProceduresAny student who has been denied acceptance into the WVWC Athletic Training Educational Program may petition the Director of Athletic Training for admission into the Program. All petitions should be addressed to the Director of Athletic Training and must include the following:
1. a detailed description of those factors which led to the student's failure to obtain admission into the program (refer to the letter received from the Director of Athletic Training detailing the reasons the student was denied admission).
2. the student's response to each of these factors indicating why he or she felt the Selection Committee did not fairly judge his or her written application and/or interview; the student may also wish to indicate progress and/or improvement made (do not include projected areas of improvement (eg. what your official cumulative GPA is, not what you think it will be at some time in the near future).
3. the student's statement as to why he or she should be reconsidered for admission into the Program
Each student's written request should be addressed to:
Jeremy Sibold, M.Ed., ATC
Director of Athletic Training
West Virginia Wesleyan College
Buckhannon, WV 26201
Phone: (304) 473-8022
E-mail: sibold@wvwc.edu
All petition requests for admission for the Fall semester should be received by the Director no later than August 1. Each request will be reviewed by the Athletic Training Academic Standards and Review Committee (the Director of Athletic Training, one member of the Athletic Training Faculty, one member of the Athletic Training Staff, and the Chairperson of the Department of Physical Education). Each student will be notified in writing of the committee's decision.Any student denied by the Athletic Training Academic Standards and Review Committee may chose to further petition his or her case to the Dean of Academics. The decision of the Academic Dean is final.
Once the student has been formally admitted into the program, he or she will be assigned an academic advisor within the program faculty and staff. Students formally begin the clinical requirements in the fall semester following acceptance into the program. Students are required to complete a minimum of 100 clinical hours per semester during their sophomore year, and then a minimum of 150 hours per semester during their junior and senior years. To complete these clinical requirements, students register for a practicum class each semester and are then assigned to a clinical instructor for their sport or assigned placement. Students must complete a minimum of 800 hours supervised clinical experience at Wesleyan in order to successfully complete the athletic training program.
Following initial acceptance into the program, student must meet the following criteria to remain in good standing within the program:1. Earn no grade below a “C” in the required coursework within the major and maintain a minimum of a 2.75 cumulative grade point average during the junior and senior years.
2. Demonstrate continual progress in attainment of the required clinical competencies (each semester) and minimum 800 hours clinical fieldwork
To graduate from the athletic training program with a B.S. in Physical Education, students must meet the following criteria:1. Completion of the required course of study (120 hours) with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5, and with a minimum athletic training coursework GPA of 2.75 (with no grade less than "C").
2. Completion of a minimum of 800 hours athletic training clinical experience under the direct supervision of a NATABOC certified athletic trainer.
3. Completion of all necessary application materials for graduation from the college.
Contact Jean Fruh, Athletic Training Program Director, for additional information at the following address:Jeremy Sibold, M.Ed., ATC
Director of Athletic Training
West Virginia Wesleyan College
Buckhannon, WV 26201
Phone: (304) 473-8022
E-mail: sibold@wvwc.edu