Mission

The Athletic Training Education Program (ATEP) mission at the University of Florida is to develop outstanding entry-level allied health professionals who will be contributing members to the profession of athletic training and other allied health care professions. Through the integration of balanced didactic course work, intensive hands-on laboratory sessions, and excellent clinical experiences students will become proficient in the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of injuries and illnesses for the physically active.

Program Description

The ATEP will prepare students for entry-level work in secondary schools, colleges and universities, sports medicine clinics, professional sports programs, industrial settings and other healthcare environments. In addition, the ATEP prepares students for graduate study in athletic training and other allied health care fields (e.g. physical therapy and physician assistant studies). The curriculum is designed to meet accreditation standards set forth by Commission on Accrediting Athletic Training Education (CAATE) and to prepare students for the Board of Certification (BOC) examination. Students who graduate from the Athletic Training Education Program will receive a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Athletic Training, and will meet the requirements to sit for the BOC Examination. BOC certification is required to practice athletic training in 49/50 states and is considered the “Gold Standard” by licensing boards.

Program Goals and Objectives

1. Meet the standards and abide by the guidelines set forth by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE) and the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA)
2. Prepare qualified and proficient allied health care professionals in practice domains of athletic training to enter the work force or continue on to graduate education or other professional programs.
3. Promote professionalism and the importance of ethical practice.
4. Ensure quality clinical experiences that allow students to appreciate the role of an athletic trainer in both traditional and non-traditional settings.
5. Promote supervised skill acquisition and critical thinking under the supervision of qualified faculty and allied health care professionals serving the ATEP.

Program Learning Outcomes

1. Demonstrate proper prevention, evaluation, treatment, rehabilitation, and documentation strategies used in athletic injury care
2. Demonstrate proper taping, wrapping and protective equipment application for the athletic population
3. Demonstrate proper application of therapeutic modalities and incorporation of such modalities in an effective rehabilitation program
4. Demonstrate effective management of general medical and psychosocial conditions related to the athletic population
5. Demonstrate proper emergency management skills required of an athletic trainer
6. Recognize the importance of professionalism and ethical behavior in the field of athletic training
7. Recognize the components of effective communication with members of the sports medicine team (i.e., athlete, coach, physician, parent, etc)
8. Identify important concepts related to athletic training administration used in professional practice

Assessment of Program Learning Outcomes occurs through completion of the Educational Competencies and Proficiencies set forth by the Education Council and documented for compliance with the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE). Students must document successful completion of these requirements; this occurs through course examinations, practical assessments and clinical experiences. A complete student record is kept to ensure compliance.

For more information regarding the Undergraduate Athletic Training Education Program, please contact the Program Director, Dr. Patricia M. Tripp via email pmcginn@hhp.ufl.edu. If you have general questions regarding application materials or advising please contact our program assistant Ms. Lori Gibbs lgibbs@hhp.ufl.edu.