Program Information

Program Admission Requirements
Transfer Student Application Procedures
Transfer Student's Course Acceptance Procedures
Program Application
Technical Standards for Admission
Procedures for Acceptance
Progression and Retention Policy
Communicable Disease Policy
Clinical Education & Field Experience

Program Admission Requirements

Admission into the University of New Mexico Athletic Training Education Program (UNM-ATEP) is a highly competitive process and the number of students accepted is limited. Acceptance is based upon academic achievement, recommendations, the number of Approved Clinical Instructors (ACI), and available clinical settings. The Athletic Training Student (ATS) may apply to the UNM-ATEP, if they have met the following requirements:

1. Successfully complete a physical examination that includes immunization records;
2. Submit a signed “Technical Standards” Statement;
3. Successfully complete Bloodborne Pathogens Training;
4. Complete a minimum of 50 clinical observation hours in the University of New Mexico (UNM) athletic training facilities and affiliated clinical sites, in addition to the CPR / AED requirements listed below;
5. Achieve a B- or better in H Ed 164L, PE P 273, and PE P 284;
6. Have a 2.75 Grade Point Average (GPA) or better;
7. Submit an UNM-ATEP application to the UNM-ATEP Coordinator. This includes:
1. An unofficial UNM transcript with UNM-ATEP application;
2. Copy of First Aid Certification;
3. Copy of either American Red Cross Professional Rescuer OR American Heart Association Healthcare Provider CPR / AED certification.
8. Submit three recommendation forms.

Applications are available at the UNM-ATEP website on the Program Information under the Program Application section, or in the UNM-ATEP Coodinator’s office, Johnson Center 1162 .

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Transfer Student Application Procedures

In addition to the above requirements, transfer students will be considered for acceptance into the UNM-ATEP upon completion of the following:

- Completion of the UNM-ATEP undergraduate entrance application;

- Submit syllabus and coursework (include competencies / proficiencies if applicable) from all previous athletic training courses taken;

- The transfer student will need to demonstrate all competencies / proficiencies associated with transfer courses;

- Advisement with the UNM-ATEP Coordinator and / or the Department of Health, Exercise and Sports Sciences Chair;

- Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75* on all transferred courses;

- The transfer student must have obtained a “B-” or better in all transferred athletic training course work;

- Probationary acceptance may be considered for transfer students who have not met the grade requirement, however the student will be required to retake the corresponding athletic training course;

- Completion of 30 observational hours in the UNM Athletic Training Facilities (not 50 hours as listed above).

* Although the minimum GPA requirement to be admitted at UNM is a cumulative 2.0, the UNM-ATEP requires a cumulative 2.75 GPA for acceptance into the UNM-ATEP.

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Transfer Course Acceptance Procedures

The University of New Mexico Athletic Training Education Program (UNM-ATEP) Coordinator along with the Department of Health, Exercise and Sports Sciences (HESS) Chair, will review all course descriptions and syllabi. Materials submitted will be compared to University of New Mexico (UNM) course descriptions, objectives and competencies / proficiencies to determine if they are compatible.

If the course does not have comparable credit hours, content, objectives, and / or clinical experiences, the course will not be substituted for a UNM course and the student will follow the normal athletic training curricular plan. If the course is equivalent to the UNM course, the student will be required to demonstrate all competencies / proficiencies associated with the transfer course. The course will then be placed within the curricular plan where deemed appropriate by the UNM-ATEP Coordinator and the HESS Chair.

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Program Application

The UNM-ATEP Application is to be completed by students who have met the Level I Criteria. Refer to the Advisement notes section under “Curriculum Progression” to review the Level I Criteria. This can be found within the Curriculum page.

Application: Printable Version

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Technical Standards for Admission

The University of New Mexico Athletic Training Education Program is an intense program that places specific educational and clinical requirements on the students enrolled in the program. Upon enrollment into this program, students are prepared to enter a variety of athletic training employment settings by achieving the skills, competencies, and knowledge of an entry level Certified Athletic Trainer. The following technical standards set forth by the University of New Mexico Athletic Training Education Program define the essential qualities necessary for students who are considering admission into the program. These standards meet the requirements set forth by the governing body of all Athletic Training Education Programs, the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education.

Candidates for admission into the University of New Mexico Athletic Training Education Program must demonstrate:

1. The ability to communicate effectively with patients, colleagues, and instructors. This includes individuals of different social, cultural, and religious backgrounds.
2. Students must be able to speak and comprehend the English language at a level capable of communicating in a professional manner while within the health care environment.
3. Adequate postural, neuromuscular control, sensory function, and coordination to accurately, and safely perform accepted evaluation techniques.
4. The mental capacity to analyze, assimilate, problem solve, and integrate concepts essential to the practice of athletic training.
5. The ability to accurately and efficiently document treatments, rehabilitations, and evaluations.
6. Affective skills and appropriate conduct that relate to professional education, and superior patient care.
7. The capacity to maintain composure and continue to function well during periods of high stress, and demands.
8. The perseverance, diligence, and commitment to successfully complete the University of New Mexico Athletic Training Education Program as outlined by the University of New Mexico Athletic Training Education: Athletic Training Student Handbook.

Candidates for selection into the University of New Mexico Athletic Training Education Program are required to verify that they understand and are able to meet the above technical standards, or that they believe that with certain accommodations they can meet these standards.

If a student states that he or she cannot meet these standards without accommodation, then the University of New Mexico Student Disability Services Department will confirm that the stated condition qualifies as a disability under State and Federal laws. This includes a review of the proposed accommodations, determining if these accommodations will in any way jeopardize patient and clinician safety, or the educational coursework of the student or the institution, including coursework and clinical experiences necessary for graduation from the University of New Mexico Athletic Training Education Program.

Technical Standards: Printable Version

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Procedures for Acceptance

1. Once the application is completed, it is to be returned to the UNM-ATEP Coordinator whereby it will be reviewed and a final decision regarding the student’s admission status will be made.
2. Each student will be notified in writing of program admission status.
3. Students who wish to protest a decision may file a formal request for rebuttal with the UNM-ATEP Coordinator. Students who disagree with the final decision should follow the Student Grievance Procedures as outlined in the UNM Student Handbook, Pathfinder.

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Progression and Retention Policy

In order for progression and continuation in the UNM-ATEP, the Athletic Training Student must comply with the following:

1. Current American Red Cross Professional Rescuer or American Heart Association Healthcare Provider CPR / AED certification;
2. Annual Bloodborne Pathogens Module current certificate of completion;
3. Appropriate progression through the UNM-ATEP Educational Competencies and Clinical Proficiencies Manuals, Levels I-IV, as described in course syllabi;
4. Satisfactorily complete Athletic Training Student evaluations as per course syllabi;
5. Maintain compliance with the UNM-ATEP: Athletic Training Student Handbook and all UNM policies and procedures as outlined in the UNM Catalog and UNM Student, Pathfinder;
6. Achieve a “B-” or better in all athletic training courses;*
7. Achieve a “C” or better in all general education courses;**
8. Maintain cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of a 2.75;
9. Attend academic advisement session with UNM-ATEP faculty each semester;
10. Adhere to the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA) Code of Ethics.

*ATS that do not obtain a “B-” or better in any of the athletic training courses will not be permitted to advance in the UNM-ATEP.

1. The ATS must retake the course and satisfactorily pass with a “B-” or better in order to advance in the UNM-ATEP.

**ATS must also pass all non-athletic training courses with a “C” or better in order for credit hours to count towards graduation.

2. The ATS must retake the non-athletic training course and satisfactorily pass with a “C” or better in order for credits to count toward graduation.

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Communicable Disease Policy

The purpose of the University of New Mexico Athletic Training Education Program (UNM-ATEP) Communicable Disease Policy is to protect the health and safety of the students enrolled in the UNM-ATEP. It is designed to provide Athletic Training Students (ATS), Approved Clinical Instructors (ACI), and athletic training faculty with a plan to assist in the management of students with infectious diseases as defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This policy was developed using the recommendations established by the CDC for health care workers (www.cdc.gov).

What are Communicable Diseases?

A communicable disease is a disease that can be transmitted from one person to another. There are four main types of transmission including direct physical contact, air (through a cough, sneeze, or other particle inhaled), a vehicle (ingested or injected), and a vector (via animals or insects).

Communicable Diseases Cited by the CDC:

Bloodborne Pathogens	Conjunctivitis	Cytomegalovirus infections
Diarrheal diseases	Diphtheria	Enteroviral infections
Hepatitis viruses	Herpes simplex	Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
Measles	Meningococcal infections	Mumps
Pediculosis	Pertussis	Rubella
Scabies	Streptococcal infection	Tuberculosis
Varicella	Zoster	Viral respiratory infections

Guidelines for Prevention of Exposure and Infection

1. ATS must successfully complete annual Bloodborne pathogens modules.

2. ATS are required to use proper hand washing techniques and practice good hygiene at all times.

3. ATS are required to use Universal Precautions at all times when functioning as an ATS in the UNM-ATEP. This applies to University of New Mexico (UNM) clinical sites and affiliated clinical sites.

4. ATS are not to provide patient care if they have active signs or symptoms of a communicable disease.

Guidelines for Managing Potential Infection

1. An ATS who has been exposed to a potential infection before, during, or after a clinical experience should report that exposure to his / her ACI immediately.

2. Any ATS, who demonstrates signs or symptoms of infection or disease that may place him / her and/or his / her patients at risk, should report that potential infection or disease immediately to the UNM Student Health Center.

3. The ATS is responsible for keeping the UNM-ATEP Coordinator informed of his / her conditions that require extended care and / or missed class / clinical time. ATS may be required to provide written documentation from a physician to return to class and / or clinical site.

4. If an ATS feels ill enough to miss ANY class that ATS should notify the appropriate instructor immediately.

5. If an ATS feels ill enough to miss ANY clinical experience that ATS should notify the UNM-ATEP Coordinator and ACI immediately.

Communicable Disease Policy Form: Printable Version

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Clinical Education

A strong emphasis is placed on clinical experiences, which allow the Athletic Training Student (ATS) to apply theories and concepts learned in the classroom. These clinical experiences include clinical hours with a variety of athletic teams at the high school, intercollegiate, clinical and professional levels. These experiences are invaluable in preparing the ATS for future employment opportunities.

Assignments to various clinical settings are designed to expose the ATS to the various aspects of athletic training. While completing clinical assignments, the ATS must be directly supervised by an Approved Clinical Instructor (ACI). Alternative clinical settings may be utilized and may include sports medicine clinics, physical therapy clinics, college or university health centers, hospital emergency rooms, physician's offices, or other health care settings.

A minimum of four semesters of clinical course work are required in the University of New Mexico Athletic Training Education Program (UNM-ATEP). Each ATS will have the opportunity to gain experience in four major areas: gender, varying levels of risk, protective equipment, and medical experiences.

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