COMPETITIVE ADMISSIONS POLICY
The curriculum phase is highly competitive. Entry into the program of the athletic training curriculum is NOT guaranteed upon completion of the pre-professional phase. The determining factors include: the success of the pre-professional experience, meeting all academic prerequisites, and how many students are currently enrolled in the program. The number of students admitted into the program varies from year to year.
Selection is centered on academic achievement and athletic training experiences. Academic achievement involves successful completion of BIOL 109 (Principles of Biology), HSCI 292 or 293 (Human Anatomy and Physiology I and II), and ATEP 200 (Care and Prevention of Athletic Injuries with at least a B) and maintaining an over-all grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 on a 4-point scale.
Any student who will have completed all prerequisites by the end of December of the sophomore year is eligible to apply for admission. Applications are available from the Director of the Athletic Training Education Program, on the Lee University ATEP website, and in the student handbook. All applications must be completed and submitted to the HESSE secretary Diana Hendershott by the end of the fall. Information should be addressed to:
Lee University,
C/O Diana Hendershott
P.O. Box 3450
Cleveland, TN,37320
The following requirements are needed in order to apply to the curriculum phase of the athletic training education program.

• Must have achieved a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 for ALL course work attempted.
• Must be an Athletic Training major.
• Must have completed a basic college-level biology or human anatomy course (ex. BIOL 109, HSCI 292, or HSCI 293) with a grade of "C-" or higher.
• Must have completed a college-level First Aid/CPR course (ex. ATEP 353 – Safety First Aid, and CPR for the Professional Rescuer) with a grade of "B-" or higher. The student must have and maintain a current Professional Rescuer card (by American Red Cross, American Heart Association, National Safety Council or equivalent).
• Must have completed a basic college-level athletic training course (ex. ATEP 200 - Care and Prevention of Athletic Injuries) with a grade of "B-" or higher.
• Must sign the confidentiality form, technical standard form, and policy and procedure agreement form.

Athletic training experiences are the second category of prerequisites. The requirements include:

• Obtaining a recommendation from a BOC Certified Athletic Trainer that knows the student and his/her interest and commitment to athletic training.
• Completing all clinical proficiencies outlined for ATEP 200 and ATEP 353.

In addition to the two categories of prerequisites, professional goals and work experience related to any of the allied health fields (e.g. rescue squad, physical therapy aide, etc.) are taken into consideration when weighing athletic training experiences. Students will be notified, in writing, of the outcome of their application. If the application is accepted, the student will begin the curriculum phase. If, however, the application is rejected, the student will have the opportunity to re-apply the following year. Admission decisions may be appealed to the Program Director within two weeks after official notification.
Students wishing to apply for admission to the Athletic Training Education Program must submit application materials by the end of the fall. Students, including transfer students, may apply for admission during any academic year but must realize that they will devote a minimum of five academic semesters, excluding summer terms, to the program of study.
Regardless of a student's academic standing, applications must be completed and submitted to the HESSE secretary Diana Hendershott by the end of the fall semester proceeding the academic year for which the student wishes to be admitted into the program. Applications received after December cannot be guaranteed consideration for the ensuing academic year. Optimum consideration will be given to students who:

• Have an overall GPA of 2.5 at the time the application is submitted;
• Successfully completed ATEP 200 with a final grade not lower than a B-;
• Have secured recommendations from two individuals (e.g., employers, instructors, and certified athletic trainers) who know the student and his/her work ethics (at least one recommendation must be made by an ATC). Recommendation forms can be downloaded off the ATEP website.
  

RETENTION, CONTINUATION, and COMPLETION
In order to remain in the program, students must demonstrate satisfactory progress toward completion of the program. Satisfactory progress includes, but is not limited to, the following:

• Maintaining a minimum overall GPA of 2.5;
• No final grade lower than a C in any course in the Department of Health, Exercise Science, and Secondary Education;
• Satisfactory evaluations with a grade no lower than a C (end of each five week rotation for Juniors and mid- and end of rotation for Seniors) from each clinical instructor;
• No student should deviate from the designed course sequence.

Suspension and/or Dismissal from the Program
Unfortunately, student behavior, academic performance, and/or unsatisfactory clinical performance may warrant censure. When implemented, censure could be in the form of reprimand, limits placed on accruing clinical hours, required study hall, or suspension or expulsion from the program. All recommendations for sanctions will be considered by the Athletic Training Committee. The student will not be denied his/her right of due process. Furthermore, suspension could result from the following conditions:

• If the overall GPA falls below a 2.5, the student may be suspended from the program until the minimum GPA requirement has been met;
• If the GPA for ATEP courses fall below a 2.5, you will be asked to repeat the courses;
• Violations of departmental or program ethics may result in suspension pending an Athletic Training Committee decision;
• Violating the Confidentiality Agreement may result in dismissal from the program.

Completion of the Program
Students will have completed the Athletic Training Education Program when they have successfully completed all designated courses, including general education classes and collateral classes, and completed the minimum verified hours of clinical education. In order to be endorsed as a candidate to take the BOC examination, the student must be eligible to sit for the examination by the date of that his/her graduation.

DISCPLINARY POLICY
Failure to comply with any of the operational policies and procedures described within the operational policies manual or other unprofessional conduct which would bring dispute or disgrace on the student, the ATEP, the Clinical Site, or the profession, and which would tend to substantially reduce or eliminate the student's ability to effectively practice that profession can result in punishment, suspension, or termination of any scholarship funding and/or dismissal from the program. The student will be informed in writing of any disciplinary action and will be given due process. If the offending action is severe enough to warrant suspension or termination, the student will be referred to the Dean of Students at Lee University for appropriate action. All decisions must involve the ATEP Director. In certain circumstances in which the offense warrants immediate action, suspension or termination may ensue without utilizing the first, second, or third offense approach to handling disciplinary actions.

First Offense
The student will receive a formal verbal warning during a personal meeting with the ATEP Director. Also, a written document will be placed in the student's folder describing the offense and the personal meeting outcomes.

Second Offense
The student will be placed on probation. The ATEP Director will establish the guidelines of the probation. There will be a formal personal meeting with the appropriate personnel from the ATEP faculty and a written document provided to the student describing the details of the probation period. Also, a written document will be placed in the student's personal folder.

Third Offense
The student may be placed on suspension from accruing clinical hours in the ATEP. The ATEP Director will determine the resulting penalty. There will be a formal personal meeting with the appropriate personnel from the ATEP faculty and a written document provided to the student describing the details of the decision. Also, a written document will be placed in the student's personal portfolio.

GRIEVANCE POLICY
Unfortunately student behavior, academic performance, and/or unsatisfactory clinical performance may warrant censure. When implemented, censure could be in the form of reprimand, loss of clinical hours accrued during the time frame of the issue under dispute, suspension or expulsion from the program. Furthermore, suspension could result from the previously mentioned conditions.

If one feels he/she has been treated unfairly or that his/her rights have been disregarded, one may appeal the case to the ATEP administration. A student will not be denied his/her right of due process. Any dispute in the academic or clinical settings will follow the university's due process protocol. The appeals process within the ATEP begins with the program Director before moving to the Department Chair, Dean, and Vice President for Academic Affairs.

OFF-CAMPUS CLINICAL AND FIELD EXPERIENCES
Off-campus clinical experiences will be permitted providing the educational experience is not compromised and there is an existing articulation agreement between Lee University and that affiliated site. All off-campus clinical experiences must be approved in writing by the ATEP director prior to beginning the rotation. The supervising ATC at that site must be an Approved Clinical Instructor for the Lee University ATEP. It is the student's responsibility to ascertain that Clinical Education Guidelines (Located in Section 2 of the Student Manual) are followed throughout all clinical experiences. Failure to adhere to this policy may result in reassignment and forfeiture of accrued hours at that site. Additional clinical and field experiences are available to students who travel with the university's athletic teams. Field experiences can include watching medical surgeries from varying allied health professionals, or assisting in the medical facilities with nurses, orthopedics, physician assistants or physical therapists which meet the clinical instructor prerequisites as approved by the director of ATEP. Travel to these additional clinical sites is the responsibility of the student athletic trainer.

VERIFICATION OF CLINICAL HOURS
The BOC no longer require clinical hours as part of the qualifications for taking the certification examination. Although a student does not have to accrue hours for certification as an athletic trainer, certain states may require a specified number of supervised clinical experiences for state licensure. It is the student's responsibility to maintain current records of clinical hours. A Verification of Supervision form (see Appendix H) must be filed for each site/supervising ATC at the completion of that rotation. A photocopy of the original form will be kept in the student's portfolio in the office of the Program Director, and the student will keep the original form. Each student assumes full responsibility for consequences arising from the loss of or the failure to maintain current records.

SPORT PARTICIPATION POLICY
Student-athletes who are seeking admission into the ATEP at Lee University must understand that interscholastic athletic participation may interfere with progress through the program. Students who are participating on an athletic team may not accrue clinical hours as an Athletic Training Student with his/her team while in season. Clinical rotations require time commitments on behalf of every student; therefore time management is essential for athletes to be successful in this program. Students should devote their time towards all clinical experiences as agreed between the student and their respective ACI's. In special circumstances the student and ACI may determine a schedule of convenience for both the student and the ACI's.

TRANSFER POLICY
Students who are entering the ATEP will be required to follow the sequence of classes regardless of their academic standing. Transfer students must adhere to the Competitive Admissions Policy established for the ATEP and outlined in the previous section. Typically, the course work for the ATEP, with the exception of ATEP 200 and ATEP 201, will require four semesters to complete, excluding summer sessions.

ATHLETIC TRAINING STUDENT CONDUCT
Personal qualities essential for the athletic training professional include loyalty, honesty, maturity, good work ethics, punctuality, dependability, professionalism, and organization. A primary concern is punctuality. While the first year athletic training student may be relatively uninformed about athletic training, he/she must be where assigned and be there on time. Tardiness reflects poorly on the athletic training student and the athletic training program as a whole. Tardiness of the athletic training student may result in late practice or game starts – a major aggravation of coaches - and may cause a lack of confidence in the athletic training staff.
The athletic training student is in a unique position as a member of an athletic team. The athletic training student must try to maintain a close relationship with the athletes and a closer relationship with the coaching staff of which he/she is a part. The athletic training student is not a player, a coach, or a manager.
Loyalty to the University and to the athletic training education program is paramount. The athletic training student, at all times, is a representative of the University and the athletic programs and should behave accordingly. The administrative ladder is directly to the student's Approved Clinical Instructor (ACI) or Clinical Instructor (CI). Students should address all issues to their ACI or CI before climbing the administrative ladder.
STANDARD OF DRESS
Athletic training is a profession recognized by the American Medical Association; hence athletic training students are young professionals. Students should dress and behave like licensed medical professionals in the athletic training room and all other venues, including travel. The standard of dress for all student athletic trainers is business casual. Exceptions would include clinical experiences at an outdoor venue during inclement conditions.

• Jeans and cut-offs are not allowed during all clinical and field experiences.
• Team warm-ups and wind suits are permissible except for competition events.
• During competition, hats must be Lee University or Lee University Athletic hat.
• Slacks and shorts should be navy or khaki.
• Footwear should be athletic or casual. All shoes must be fully enclosed.
• If wearing a hat, it must be worn in the traditional manner.
• Wear one of the Lee University Athletic Training shirts during all clinical and field experiences. Other professional dress (i.e., NATA apparel) is permissible. Shirts must be worn tucked in at all times.
• Wear provided name badges with respective student-level designations (refer to clinical proficiency profile).

If there are concerns about the standard of dress at an assignment or venue, please consult with an ACI/CI.

PERSONAL CELLULAR TELEPHONES
Personal telephones are not to be used during clinical education and field assignments. Occasionally circumstances dictate that the student might need to be contacted by cell phone. When these situations arise, place the phone ringer in the silent or vibrate mode.

STUDENT HEALTH POLICY
And in so much as Athletic Training emphasizes by example and knowledge base the prevention, assessment, and rehabilitation of health and activity limiting injuries or illnesses, the admissions committee recommends and requires adherence to and documentation of specific health standards and monitoring policies. As recommended or required by Lee University Undergraduate Programs, Tennessee State Health Law as well as certain other state regulatory health statutes the health policy for entering ATS will include: (all admitted athletic training students will comply with the following)

1. State of Tennessee requires all students born after 1956 to provide documentation of MMR immunization (measles, mumps, rubella) by two live measles vaccinations some time after 12 months of age, unless medically contraindicated (i.e., allergy to immunization, pregnancy, or other medical reasons).
   
2. Lee University requires proof of Tuberculin (PPD) skin test within two year period prior to admission or documentation of adequate treatment for TB.
   
3. Documentation should be on file attesting to recent (less than 2 yrs.) health questionnaire and physical exam similar to PPE pre-participation exam) given to intercollegiate athletes or university Greek/service club inductees.
   
   Entry into the ATEP Program will be made on an individual basis after completion of all application requirements. This will include successful completion of pre-participation physical examination to delineate physical requirements, limitations, and reasonable accommodations of the student in their day to day learning and responsibilities while in the program. These requirements will be in compliance with the "Technical Standards" as well as the "Communicable Disease Standards" referenced in the standards of the Department of Public Health for Health Workers and the CDC standards.
   
   This initial pre-participation physical examination is done on each athletic training student upon acceptance into Lee University ATEP curriculum of study. Successful completion of this physical exam will delineate the health status of the student as well as any physical impairment which might require reasonable accommodations for the student. Since both the learning and the safety of the student are important in the consideration of reasonable accommodations, the admission ATEP committee will use the university director of academic support (La-Juan Stout) for final determination of limitations, accommodations, or elimination from the program. These may include but are not limited to: physical impairment such as severe visual, hearing, or motor impairment, acute or chronic medical condition limiting physical participation, presence of communicable disease, or mental impairments that may be determined to severely limit the student's ability to fully participate in the academic and clinical education program.
   
4. These verifications or documentations must have been done and signed by a licensed health care provider and copies made available to the Program Director. Upon the student's signed permission, copies will be provided to the Lee University Health Services for their health file.
   
5. Verification of completion of OSHA's requirements for health care workers (HEW) in the work place. This is required since athletic training students will occasionally be exposed to blood/body fluid contamination while fulfilling the educational requirements of the Athletic Training Education Program. Topics will include an orientation course review concerning blood-borne pathogen exposures and medical-legal confidentiality requirements for the study of athletic training.
   
6. Lee University and Athletic Training Education Program are committed to the safe and healthy environment of a drug free workplace. The use or abuse of dependency producing drugs especially controlled substances is outlined in Controlled Substance Act,2I USC Sec. 812. This we on admission council of Lee University Athletic Training Education Program have made available student drug abuse prevention program through Lee Health and Counseling Services. Further, athletic training students are equally subject to the code of conduct pertaining to use or possession of controlled, abusive substances and recipients of certain federal financial assistance programs (i.e. Pell Grants) are required to certify them drug free.
   
7. As a commitment to the safety and health of the athletic training student and staff, all admitted students are highly advised to show proof of completion of the Hepatitis A and B three part vaccination series. These immunizations are made available at cost through Lee University Health Services. All students that are admitted into the program must complete and submit to the Program Director the Hepatitis A and B Immunization Form (see Appendix I).
   
8. Infections are a normal response of the immune system defending the body from foreign microorganisms. These may include viral, bacterial, fungal, or parasitic infections. ATEP students who believe that they are experiencing an infectious illness which may include: upper and lower respiratory infections such as sore throat with fever, sinusitis, bronchitis or influenza with cough and coryza or gastrointestinal infections such as vomiting or diarrhea illnesses, hepatitis, mononucleosis or skin infections and infestations such as chicken pox, spider or mosquito bite which look irritated, must see a physician or nurse practitioner who should make the decision to allow or limit that student from any class or clinic activity.
   
   Communicable diseases are listed in the following websites as a reference.
   http://www.cdc.gov/
   
   These measures are taken to protect both the sick student as well as protect their fellow students, athletes and staff from unnecessary exposure to communicable infections. A list of the preventable behaviors for limiting infections both in ATEP students as well as athletes follows:
   
   • Appropriate diet and sleep
   • Proper skin care and hygiene (especially the care of infected skin lesions)
   • Prompt cleaning and covering of open wounds
   • Personal protective equipment and enforcing of hand washing
   • Immunization up dates and confirmation
   • Avoid contaminated water