Kinesiology

Athletic Training Education Program

Facilities
Staff
Selection/Retention Procedures
Physical Exam Form

The athletic training major is a Bachelor of Science degree consisting of 128 hours.

Facilities

Eight modern classrooms are available for instruction. These classes are equipped with Internet access, computers or lap-top with projection screens, television/video tape machines, overhead projectors, dry-erase/chalk board, models and charts are provided in some classrooms and available for others as needed. All classrooms are climate controlled for the comfort of the students.

Two athletic training rooms/clinics are housed in the Ganus Athletic Center.

The first consists of a 600 square-foot work area as well as an office/private evaluation area, storerooms and a laundry room. This facility is used primarily for the men's athletic program due to its location-adjacent to their locker rooms. Four evaluation tables, a taping area with three stations, two whirlpools, a hydrocolator, an ice machine, two muscle stim/ultrasound machines, a paraffin bath, and various rehabilitation tools are all available for use in this area.

A second clinic is in the "wellness center". It is a 700 square-foot facility with three evaluation tables, a two-station tapping area, a whirlpool, an ice machine, a hydrocolator, paraffin bath, two muscle stim/ultrasound machines, various rehabilitation tools and a record keeping area. Located adjacent to the swimming pool, the Human Performance Laboratory, the weight/aerobics room, classroom area, makes this facility ideal for rehabilitation and instruction.

A third athletic training room is located in the Rhodes Memorial Field House. This 200 square-foot facility has two evaluation tables, muscle stim/ultrasound machines, a hydrocolator and an ice machine.

Harding Academy is located on campus and has two athletic training facilities that can be used by the program:

• Barden Field House contains an evaluation table, two-station taping table, whirlpool, and ice machine. A hydrocolator, and rehab tools are shared with the other facility and moved to meet the "in-season" sport.
• The Harris Gym has a room that contains an evaluation table, and a whirlpool.

Area high schools, the local medical center, and physical therapy clinic will be used by ACIs for clinical experiences as the program grows and needs arise for the facilities.

Staff

Program Director
Randy Lambeth, Ed.D. A.T.C., C.I.E.

Dr. Lambeth holds a master's degree in Education Administration, a doctorate in Instruction and Curriculum Leadership with an emphasis in exercise science, and has various experiences with working at the primary and secondary education levels as a classroom teacher, coach, principal, and superintendent of schools. He also taught at The University of Memphis (Department of Human Movement Science and Education) before joining Harding University's Department of Kinesiology as an associate professor.

Involved with athletic training for 30 years; he served as an "athletic training student" for Harding College as an undergraduate, was the "athletic trainer"  (before certification was required) for high school teams and was an intern with Harding University while preparing to sit for BOC certification. He completed his Athletic Trainers certification in November 2002 and has served as an Athletic Trainer for both the Harding University and Harding Academy athletic teams since that time.

As the director of the program he teaches upper-level classes, supervises clinical experiences, and works with the athletic teams.

Co-Director/Clinical Supervisor/ Head Athletic Trainer
Ronnie Harlow, M.Ed., A.T.C., A.C.I.

Ronnie has served as the Head Athletic Trainer for Harding University since 1997. His role has included supervision of all sports programs, classroom instruction, and the training/mentoring of students in the internship program (until it was dropped this past year). As an intern for two professional teams (the Philadelphia Eagles and the New England Patriots) he gained valuable skills and important contacts that have allowed him to place his students in those programs as well. He also serves as an evaluator for the certification tests given in the state each year.

Medical Director
Dr. Jim Citty, M.D.

Dr. Citty serves as a general practitioner at the Searcy Medical Center and is on the board at White County Hospital. He retired as a lieutenant colonel from the United States Army where he served as a part of the medical staff.

His service to the University includes 15 years as an adjunct in the College of Nursing and more than 25 years as team doctor for the Bison. Dr. Citty attends most athletic events, conducts clinics and evaluations on campus, makes frequent visits to the athletic training facility, and is available to see students at his clinic when needed. He is frequently called on to do guest lectures for the exercise science programs at Harding.

He has been a strong supporter of the athletic training education program. He will serve as an advisor/consultant and his office will serve as a clinical site for students in the program.

Clinical Instructor/Athletic Trainer for Women's Programs at HU
Heather Hutson, M.Ed., A.T.C., A.C.I., C.S.C.S.

Heather joined the faculty at Harding in the fall of 2004 to direct the athletic training program for the female athletes. Her experiences as a strength and conditioning coach and her work at the Rehab Plus PT Clinic in Manitowac, WI., where she served on the staff of the clinic and with area high school athletic teams, have provided her with a wealth of knowledge she is eager to share with her students in the classroom and in the clinic.

Selection/Retention Procedures

Application Requirements:
The program is selective and competitive.
Applicants will be advised in writing of selection status.
Student-applicants to the Athletic Training Education Program should follow these procedures:

1. Apply and be accepted for admission to Harding University.
2. Complete an application that would include appropriate ACT/SAT scores and other pertinent information. This application can be obtained by indicating Kinesiology/Athletic Training as your preferred major on the admissions application or by contacting the Department of Kinesiology for an application.
3. Submit three (3) letters of recommendations. These letters should be from head athletic trainers, coaches, team physicians, or other supervisory personnel who would be able to attest to your work in the field of athletic training.
4. If you have no experience in athletic training, you must prepare a letter that would explain your interests in this field and career goals associated with the attainment of a degree in athletic training.
5. Provide official high school transcript and transcripts of any college credits completed.
6. All application materials and transcripts must be sent to
   Randy Lambeth, Program Director, Harding University 12281,
   Searcy, Arkansas 72149-0001.

Upon receipt of all application materials by the Program Director, the student will be eligible for selection into the candidacy phase of the athletic training program.

Preliminary Selection-Candidacy Phase:
Applicants will be ranked numerically based on the following criteria (18 point scale):

1. Non weighted, cumulative high school GPA/4.0 scale (0-4 points).
2. GPA/4.0 scale in high school science and sports medicine related course work (0-4 points).
3. Class rank/ACT-SAT scores (0-4 points).
4. Previous athletic training experience (0-2 points).
5. Recommendations and/or paper explaining interest in athletic training (0-2 points).
6. Extracurricular activities/leadership experience (0-2 points).

The upper 10 applicants in this ranking are eligible for candidacy status. Applicants not invited to enter the candidacy phase may re-apply the following year. All applicants who eventually re-apply must meet all requirements in effect at the time of application.

Final Selection-Athletic Training Student Phase:
The final selection of students for the Athletic Training Education Program will be made after candidates have completed two semesters. A training team of 20 to 24 members will be maintained.

Selection will be based on the following criteria:

1. Academic performance-cumulative university GPA 40 percent.
2. Clinical evaluations 40 percent.
3. Formal interview 20 percent.

Retention:
Retention in the Athletic Training Education Program will be based on the following criteria:

1. Cumulative GPA of 2.50 higher
2. GPA of 3.00 or higher in all course work in the major
3. Compliance with all policies defined in the Athletic Training Handbook
4. Compliance with the rules and regulations of Harding University

Failure to meet any one of the retention criteria requires the student to be on probationary status. If the student fails to meet the criteria for two consecutive semesters, the student will be dropped from the program.

* Until Harding's program is accredited and students can sit for certification, students are counseled/advised to pursue a graduate degree in Athletic Training from an accredited program.

Athletic Training Technical Standards
The athletic training education program is a rigorous and intensive program that places specific requirements and demands on the students enrolled in the program. An objective of this program is to prepare graduates to enter a variety of employment settings and to render care to a wide spectrum of individuals engaged in physical activity. The technical standards set forth by the athletic training education program establishes the essential qualities considered necessary for students admitted to this program to achieve the knowledge, skills and competencies of an entry-level athletic trainer, as well as meet expectations of the program's accrediting agency.

Prior to acceptance into the athletic training education program, each student will be required to verify that they can meet the required technical standards of the Harding University Athletic Training Education Program or that reasonable accommodations can be made through the center for Student Support Services. A review of accommodations will be made, taking into account whether the accommodations would jeopardize clinician/patient safety, or the educational process of the student or the institution, including all coursework, clinical experiences and internships deemed essential for graduation.

Reasonable accommodations cannot reduce the rigor of the academic component that can detract from measuring the students' cognitive and psychomotor ability to provide health care to an injured physically active person/athlete in a life threatening or non-life threatening situation

The following are the technical standards for the Athletic Training Education Program at Harding University:

• Candidates must be able to actively learn from observations, demonstrations, and experiments in the basic sciences.
• Candidates must be able to learn to analyze, synthesize, solve problems and reach assessment and therapeutic judgment distinguished from the norm.
• Candidates must have sufficient sensory function and coordination to perform appropriate physical examination using acceptable techniques.
• Candidates must be able to relate effectively to athletes and the physically active and to establish sensitive, professional relationships with them.
• Candidates are expected to be able to communicate the results of the assessment to the injured or ill exerciser, to responsible officials, to parents or guardians and to colleagues with accuracy, clarity and efficiency
• Candidates are expected to learn and perform routine prevention, assessment, emergency care and therapeutic procedures.
• Candidates are expected to be able to display good judgment in the assessment and treatment of injured or ill athletes and physically active individuals.
• Candidates must be able to learn to respond with precise, quick and appropriate action in emergency situations.
• Candidates are expected to be able to accept criticism and respond by appropriate modification of behavior.
• Candidates are expected to possess the perseverance, diligence and consistency to complete the athletic training curriculum, to attempt BOC certification within the year of program completion and enter the practice of athletic training.

Health Status
Prior to admission, the student must submit to the program director of the athletic training education program a completed health evaluation (physical examination) by either a MD or a DO. This evaluation must include areas specified by the programs technical standards. In addition, the health evaluation must document the students' immunizations history recommended by the Center for Disease Control for health care workers before being exposed to patients/athletes and to blood or blood contaminated products. As of 2001, these immunizations include hepatitis B, measles, mumps, rubella, tetanus and diphtheria. (See appendix 4 for sample physical form.)
Harding University-Athletic Training Education Program

Academics:
Harding University Academic Catalogue can be seen at www.harding.edu/catalog.