Transfer students must contact Professor Melissa Snyder, A.T. Program Director, Immediately
to discuss specific requirements for summer enrollment and program completion.
Athletic trainers carry out a field evaluation on a football player
WCU offers a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Athletic Training. Fully accredited
by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE), the professional
program combines intensive classroom and clinical education.
In the program, students complete a rigorous education that combines didactic, psychomotor,
affective competencies and clinical proficiencies necessary to become a successful
athletic trainer.
The focus of the Athletic Training Program is to promote critical thinking and problem
solving in a hands-on curriculum which will expose students to a wide variety of clinical
education opportunities.
Curriculum
The B.S. in Athletic Training requires 42 Liberal Studies hours, 75 major hours, and
6 hours of electives.
Athletic Training Faculty
The faculty and staff of WCU’s Athletic Training Program are committed to students’
success and to building strong, competent athletic training professionals.
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Dr. Melissa Snyder, LAT, ATC, CSCS
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Program Director, Associate Professor
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Tara Peterson, MS, LAT, ATC, CSCS
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Coordinator of Clinical Education, Assistant Professor
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Dr. Ashley Thrasher, LAT, ATC
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Coordinator of Didactic Education, Assistant Professor
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Jill Manners,
MS, MPT, LAT, ATC, PT, COMT
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Associate Professor
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Dr. Miki Scifers, DPT, PT
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Assistant Professor
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Margaret Downs-West, MS, RD
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Assistant Professor
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Dr. Larry Supik, MD
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ATP Medical Director
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Dr. David Trigg, MD
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ATP Medical Director
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Criteria for Admission
Provisional admission to the program occurs each year with an application deadline
of April 10 (during the freshmen year) and August 10 (for transfers). Full admission
to the program occurs each year with an application deadline of December 15.
Students are eligible for provisional admission to the Athletic Training Program during
the spring semester of the first year at WCU. Application deadline for provisional
admission is 5 pm on April 10th. Transfer students who take ATTR 150 over the summer
must apply by 5 pm on August 10th.
1. Successful Completion of Application for Provisional Admission
2. Completion of 150 "Introduction to Athletic Training" with a C+ or better
Provisional admission will be granted to students who:
1. Are declared Athletic Training Majors
2. Complete the application by the deadline, following all directions.
3. Have earned an overall GPA of 2.0
4. Have completed ATTR 150 with a C+ or Better
5. Have the endorsement of WCU AT Faculty
Full admission to the Athletic Training Program promotes quality education and ensures
exceptional opportunities for hands-on learning under the supervision of a certified
athletic trainer. Full admission to the program typically occurs at the completion
of the student's third semester at WCU. Application deadline for full admission to
the ATEP is December 15 of the application year.
1. Successfully complete the following pre-requisite courses with a grade of C+ or
higher:
a. ATTR 150 "Introduction to Athletic Training"
b. ATTR 210 "Clinical Anatomy & Biomechanics"
2. Successfully complete the following pre-requisite courses with a grade of C+ or
higher in two of the three additional courses with no prerequisite courses below a
grade of C (Students must be provisionally admitted prior to being eligible to take
these courses):
a. ATTR 265 "Clinical Physiology"
b. ATTR 221 "Therapeutic Modalities I"
c. ATTR 283 "Clinical Education I"
3. Complete ATTR 183 "Introduction to Clinical Education" with a grade of "S" (satisfactory)
4. Overall GPA of 2.75 or higher
5. Pre-requisite GPA of 2.75 or higher
6. Successful Completion of Application for Full Admission by application deadline
7. Endorsement of WCU AT Faculty
8. Grades earned on the first or second attempt at a course will be counted towards
admission
Financial Information
Fees
Students in the Athletic Training Program incur additional expenses beyond those required
for all WCU students. Students must become student members of the National Athletic
Trainers' Association, purchase uniforms, equipment and supplies needed for clinical
practice, professional liability insurance, receive additional vaccinations, pay a
$200 per semester program fee, and (in some cases) purchase textbooks. Additionally,
students complete off-campus clinical education experiences throughout the program
and are expected to furnish their own transportation to and from off-campus clinical
education sites, housing, and food costs.
These estimated annual expenses are: NATA membership, $100; travel expenses, $1,000;
uniforms, $200; clinical equipment, $100; additional vaccines, $50; liability insurance,
$30; books, $200; Criminal Background Checks, $50.
Students are also responsible for the costs of any additional required criminal background
checks or drug screenings as required by the College of Health & Human Sciences, the
School of Health Sciences or the student's clinical education site.
Scholarships & Financial Aid
Loans, scholarships, and other financial aid may be available to qualify students
in the specific health disciplines. Awards are made on the basis of need, academic
promise, and personal qualifications. For complete information, contact the WCU Financial Aid Office.
Additional scholarships are available through professional organizations related to
athletic training and several Western North Carolina Sports Medicine Facilities.
