Student Handbook: Section VI, Program Retention Policies

Students must demonstrate acceptable progression in their advancement through the ATP. Students will jeopardize program status (probation and/or program dismissal) if they are unable to comply with the following program standards:

1. Minimum Grade Requirements;
2. Overall 3.0 GPA in credit hours taken at BSU toward degree;
3. Maintain NATA Standards of Professional Practice and BOC Code of Ethics;
4. Maintain BSU-ATP Professional Behavior Policy (previously stated);
5. Maintain standards of academic and clinical education requirements consistent with educational level.

In order to remain enrolled in the Master of Athletic Training degree all ATSs must maintain a minimum GPA of a 3.0. It is the student’s responsibility to schedule their time efficiently so that academic course work is not affected by participation in the clinical athletic training program. Any student admitted with provisional status to the graduate college and/or degree program must meet the requirements defined by the graduate college and degree program. Failure to complete a required course with at least a C- will result in the student not being allowed to progress in the program. In such a case, the student would not be allowed to progress in the MAT program and would be required to re-enter the program in the following year when the course is offered again with permission of the program director and graduate college or withdraw from the program.

If an ATS’s GPA drops below the 3.0 minimum standard, or they demonstrate unacceptable clinical behavior, they may be placed on clinical probation and/or disciplinary action immediately. Clinical Probation is a condition where a student’s status in the ATP is tentative with their further continuation in the program being dependent on their performance during a probationary period. Performance is evaluated based on academic grades as well as clinical behavior as described in this handbook. Clinical probation is maintained for the duration of one semester. After one semester, if the GPA does not exceed the minimum of a 3.0, or the clinical behavior does not improve, the student will be dismissed from the BSU-ATP.

If an ATS feels that their GPA is suffering from too much time spent in the athletic training quarters it is the student’s responsibility to schedule a meeting with the Program Director or Clinical Education Coordinator as well as their Preceptor as soon as possible to seek resolution to the problem. The ATS must remember that academics are of the utmost priority when in the pursuit of becoming a certified athletic trainer.

A program violation is an action, on the student’s behalf, that is NOT in accordance with the ATP Student Contract or the current ATP Policies and Procedures including the NATA Code of Ethics. Supervising preceptors or program administrators at BSU or affiliated clinical sites who observe a program violation may submit a program violation form (i.e. Three Strike Policy: Red Form). Ramifications of committing program violations are as follows:

1. Violation #1: The student is dismissed from their clinical experience for the remainder of that day (or longer). The student is also required to obtain signatures on the program violation form. This occurs through a meeting with their preceptor as well as the Program Director and/or the Clinical Education Coordinator.
2. Violation #2: Same as for violation #1 AND a group meeting is to be called with the student, preceptor, Supervising Staff Athletic Trainer, as well as the Program Director or the Clinical Education Coordinator to discuss related disciplinary action.
3. Violation #3: Dismissal from the AT  Program is likely.

Participation in the ATP is a PRIVILEGE reserved for those students who have met and maintain requirements for inclusion. Any student may be subject to disciplinary action and can be immediately dismissed for breach of conduct. A student who is dismissed from any clinical component setting, either through the Program Violation process or as the result of either a onetime incident, or cumulative negative actions or instances, will likely be dismissed from the ATP. Successful completion of all portions of the BSU-ATP is essential to earning a degree in Athletic Training and a student’s exclusion from any one component will result in the inability to graduate. Students MUST remain in GOOD STANDING in all portions of the ATP to be allowed to continue and earn the degree in Athletic Training

As stated previously in the Retention Policy, athletic training students may be placed on probation if they are unable to maintain specific ATP criteria. The Program Director will conduct a review of academic probation status at the end of each academic semester, and students will be notified of their standing in the program. Upon notification of their standing, students will sign documentation regarding their status, which will be kept on file. (Students are limited to two consecutive probation semesters.) Failure to reestablish adequate academic/practical standards consistent with program guidelines will result in program dismissal. Once dismissed from the ATP, students are NOT eligible for re-admission.

University Requirements

• 3.0 GPA
• All fees and tuition
• Completion of graduate college admission to candidacy (beginning of 2nd year)
• Comply with other stated university policies and procedures

Program Requirements

• Completion of all prerequisite coursework and application materials
• Completion of all professional coursework
•  Completion of culminating activity
• Maintain overall 3.0 GPA in credit hours taken at BSU toward degree
• Completion of all clinical education requirements
• Completion of competencies, knowledge and skills, and clinical skills
• Completion of clinical hours and assigned clinical rotations
• Follow NATA Standards of Professional Practice and BOC Inc. Code of Ethics
• Maintain “good standing” in the Athletic Training Program according to the policies and procedures stated in the BSU-ATP Handbook

(Endorsement for the BOC Inc. examination requires program director approval.)