Athletic Training - Technical Admission Standards

The Athletic Training Educational Program at The University of Texas at Arlington 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]). All students admitted to the Athletic Training Educational Program must meet the abilities and expectations outlined below. 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.

Candidates for selection to The University of Texas at Arlington Athletic Training Educational Program must demonstrate:

SENSORY CAPACITY

1. sufficient visual ability to observe events occurring in the classroom, laboratory, and clinical settings;
2. sufficient hearing ability and tactile sensation to perform appropriate patient assessments;

INTELLECTUAL CAPACITY

1. the mental ability to acquire and retain knowledge;
2. the ability to analyze concepts and theoretical principles and integrate them into clinical practice;
3. the ability to develop problem-solving and decision-making skills to formulate assessment and therapeutic judgments and to be able to distinguish deviations from the norm;

POSTURAL AND NEUROMUSCULAR CONTROL

1. sufficient motor coordination to perform appropriate patient assessments using standard evaluation techniques;
2. sufficient motor coordination to safely, accurately, and efficiently use equipment and materials required during the assessment and treatment of patients;
3. sufficient motor coordination to maneuver within and between classroom, laboratory, and clinical settings.
4. sufficient motor coordination and endurance to withstand extended periods of sitting or standing;
5. sufficient motor coordination and strength to carry appropriate medical or hydration equipment and perform patient transfers, which might require the lifting of a patient;

COMMUNICATION

1. the ability to communicate effectively and sensitively with patients and colleagues, including individuals from different cultural and social backgrounds;
2. the ability to establish a rapport with patients, peers, and clinical instructors in order to communicate judgments and treatment information effectively;
3. the ability to understand, speak, and write the English language at a level consistent with competent professional practice;
4. the ability to record the physical examination results and treatment plans clearly and accurately;

SOCIAL/AFFECTIVE

1. the capacity to maintain composure and continue to function well during periods of high stress;
2. the perseverance, diligence and commitment to complete the athletic training education program as outlined and sequenced.
3. the ability to adjust to changing situations and the uncertainty of a dynamic clinical setting;
4. the affective skills and appropriate demeanor and rapport that relate to professional education and quality patient care.