Department of Sports Medicine
216 Sturzebecker Health Sciences Center
610-436-3293
Carolyn C. Jimenez, Chairperson
Neil Curtis, Assistant Chairperson, Coordinator of Athletic Training Education
Sandra Fowkes-Godek, Coordinator of Physician Services
Scott Heinerichs, Coordinator of Sports Medicine Services
PROFESSORS: Fowkes-Godek, Jimenez
ASSOCIATE PROFESSORS: Curtis, Gardiner-Shires,
Heinerichs, Morrison
ASSISTANT PROFESSORS: Cattano, Lindsey
ADJUNCT PROFESSOR: Bartolozzi
The Department of Sports Medicine offers the B.S. in ATHLETIC TRAINING, a CAATE-accredited program, which prepares students to achieve national certification from the Board of Certification, Inc. (BOC). Students completing this major also are eligible for entry-level athletic training positions, as well as graduate study in such fields as athletic training, physical therapy, exercise physiology, biomechanics, and sports medicine.
Applicants should have a combined SAT score of 1100 and rank in the top 20% of their high school class. Qualified students are required to participate in an interview with department faculty prior to admission.
Pre-Physical Therapy
A student may follow several academic paths to prepare for a professional physical therapy program. There is no official pre-physical therapy curriculum at West Chester University. Students who are interested in preparing for a professional physical therapy school may meet the prerequisites through 1) the College of Arts and Sciences by enrolling in the Department of Biology, 2) the College of Health Sciences by enrolling in the Department of Sports Medicine, 3) or through the Department of Kinesiology. Students also may elect to take their undergraduate degree in the College of Arts and Sciences in the liberal studies science and mathematics track with a biology minor. Students interested in pre-physical therapy should contact Dr. Neil Curtis in Sports Medicine, Dr. Sharon Began in Biology, or Dr. Sheri Melton in Kinesiology.
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE — ATHLETIC TRAINING
120 semester hours
(Includes the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education [CAATE] accredited athletic training education program)
- General ed. requirements, see pages 38-44 (43 semester hours)
- Athletic training courses (53 semester hours)
SMD 100, 204, 210, 212, 261, 272, 310, 311, 312, 313, 315, 316, 361, 414, 417, 418, 454, and SML 310 and 311 - Related requirements (19 semester hours)
BIO 259 and 269; EXS 380; MAT 121; NTD 303; and SPK 208 - Related requirements that also satisfy the general education requirements (20 semester hours)
BIO 110, CHE 107, CRL 107, MAT 121, PHY 100, PSY 100, and SPK 208
Other courses in chemistry, physics, mathematics, and biology may be substituted with approval of program director. - Clinical experience
Clinical experiences are provided in a number of high school, college, and university settings under the supervision of a certified athletic trainer. Due to potential scheduling conflicts, athletic training students may be excluded from playing varsity sports during their four semesters of clinical experience. Students enrolled in SMD 315-316 and 417-418 must have current certification in CPR and first aid, be vaccinated with hepatitis B vaccination or sign a vaccine declination, and have professional liability coverage. Clinical experiences may begin prior to the official start of the semester. Students are also responsible for criminal background checks, child abuse history clearance, and TB test if required. Students must supply their own transportation to clinical sites. Students in clinical assignments are required to purchase and wear specified uniforms. - Students must earn a minimum grade of C in the following courses. In order to be recommended for the BOC Certification Exam, students must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 in the following courses:
BIO 259, 269; KIN 475; EXS 380; NTD 303; SMD 204, 210, 261, 272, 310, 311, 312, 313, 315, 316, 361, 414, 417, 418, 454; SML 310, 311
Technical Standards for the B.S. in Athletic Training Major
The B.S. in athletic training program at West Chester University prepares students for careers as certified athletic trainers where they will enter employment settings and render athletic training services to individuals engaged in physical activity. The clinical, classroom, and laboratory experiences place specific demands on the students enrolled in the program. The technical standards developed for the degree establish the essential qualities necessary for students to achieve the knowledge, skills, and competencies of an entry-level certified athletic trainer and meet the expectations of the agency (CAATE) that accredits the program.
Students must possess the abilities outlined below to be admitted into the program. Students selected for admission must verify that they understand and meet these technical standards with or without a reasonable accommodation. A student with a condition who may need a reasonable accommodation to meet these standards will be referred to the Office of Services for Students with Disabilities (OSSD) for an evaluation of whether the condition is a disability as defined by applicable laws, and a determination of what accommodations are reasonable. The determination will specifically take into consideration whether the requested accommodations might jeopardize the safety of the patient, and the ability to complete the classroom, laboratory, and clinical course work required for the athletic training program. The OSSD, with input from the Department of Sports Medicine, will make this determination. Whenever possible, reasonable accommodations will be provided for those individuals with disabilities to enable them to meet these standards and ensure that students are not denied the benefits of, excluded from participation in, or otherwise subjected to discrimination in this program.
The following are technical standards for the B.S. program, which are not inclusive of all expected abilities:
- Critical thinking ability sufficient for clinical judgment
- Interpersonal abilities sufficient to interact with individuals, families, and groups from a variety of social, emotional, cultural, and intellectual backgrounds
- Communication abilities sufficient for interaction with others in verbal and written form
- Physical abilities sufficient to maneuver in small or confined spaces and to provide emergency care
- Gross and fine motor abilities sufficient to provide safe and effective athletic training care
- Tactile dexterity sufficient for physical assessment
- Visual ability sufficient for observation and assessment necessary in athletic training care
- Auditory ability sufficient to monitor and assess health needs
- Ability to maintain composure and function in highly stressful situations such as those associated with critical injury or illness
Facilities
Offices, classrooms, and laboratories for the Department of Sports Medicine are housed in the Russell L. Sturzebecker Health Sciences Center. Clinical experience is offered in two athletic training rooms on campus, one located in Hollinger Fieldhouse and the recently expanded facility located in the Sturzebecker Health Sciences Center. The athletic training rooms offer students the opportunity to work with state-of-the-art equipment, including numerous electrical modalities, Cybex isokinetic dynamometers, and the latest in proprioreceptive apparatus. In addition, the department maintains a close working relationship with the Human Performance Laboratory of the Department of Kinesiology.
COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
SPORTS MEDICINE
Symbols: SMD; SML indicates a lab course.
The first number in parentheses is the number of class hours per week; the second number indicates hours of credit.
100 Foundations of Sports Medicine (2) (3) An overview of the professions in the discipline of sports medicine.
204 First Aid for Health Professionals (3) (3) Prepares health professionals to meet emergencies requiring first aid. Includes "First Responder" training.
SML 204 First Aid for Health Professionals Lab (0) Lab experiences in the application of skills and knowledge presented in SMD 204. COREQ: SMD 204.
210 Psychosocial Perspectives of Sport/Recreational Injuries (3) (3) Present active individuals with information on the incidence, prevention, and management of sports/recreational injuries. In addition, the psychological impact and sociological factors affecting health care delivery will be addressed. The course prepares students to become more informed consumers of sports/recreational health care. Writing emphasis course
212 Pathology and Evaluation of Athletic Injury/Illness I (3) (3) A presentation of the pathology, pharmacology, and management strategies relevant to sports medicine. Emphasis will be on nonorthopaedic conditions commonly encountered in a physically active population. PREREQ: BIO 269, SMD 312. Athletic training majors only
261 Surface Anatomy (3) (2) Orientation to major anatomical landmarks and underlying structures. Required of athletic training majors. PREREQ: BIO 259.
271 First Aid and Athletic Training (3) (2) A course designed to qualify students in First Aid and CPR, and to introduce the principles of athletic injury prevention and management. For nonmajors only
272 Athletic Training Techniques (3) (3) A course designed to develop athletic training skills for beginning athletic training students. PREREQ: SMD 100 or SMD 204.
310 Therapeutic Modalities for Athletic Training (3) (3) Physical agents used in athletic training are presented with regard to the physics, physiological effects, indications, contraindications, and progression. PREREQ SMD 312. Athletic training majors only
SML 310 Therapeutic Modalities for Athletic Training Lab (2) (1) Lab experiences in the application of physical agents presented in SMD 310. PREREQ or COREQ: SMD 310. Athletic training majors only
311 Therapeutic Exercise for Athletic Training (3) (3) The principles, objectives, indications, contraindications, and progression of various exercise programs used in the rehabilitation of athletic injuries are presented. PREREQ: SMD 312. Athletic training majors only.
SML 311 Therapeutic Exercise for Athletic Training Lab (4) (2) Lab experiences in the application of exercises presented in SMD 311. PREREQ or COREQ: SMD 311. Athletic training majors only
312 Pathology and Evaluation of Athletic Injury/ Illness II (3) (3) A continuation of SMD 212 with emphasis on the pathology of injuries to the extremities commonly seen in athletics and the techniques for their evaluation. PREREQ: BIO 259 and 269. Athletic training majors only
313 Pathology and Evaluation of Athletic Injury/ Illness III (3) (3) A continuation of SMD 312 with emphasis on the head, neck, and trunk. PREREQ: SMD 312. Athletic training majors only
315 Athletic Injury Management I (3) (3) Clinical experience of 200 or more hours with specific behavioral objectives in athletic equipment selection and fitting, and the presentation of illness, injuries, and conditions. PREREQ or COREQ: SMD 311 and 312, and SML 311. Athletic training majors only
316 Athletic Injury Management II (3) (3) Clinical experience of 200 or more hours with specific behavioral objectives in case study presentations of injuries, illnesses, and/or conditions, and hospital emergency department medical care. PREREQ or COREQ: SMD 310 and 313, and SML 310. Athletic training majors only
361 Kinesiology (3) (3) Basic fundamentals of movement, articulation, and muscular actions; analysis of the related principles of mechanics. PREREQ: BIO 259 or EXS 241.
400 Special Topics in Athletic Training (3) An in-depth study of selected topics as it relates to athletic trainers and their treatment and management of musculoskeletal injuries. Course will examine current topics through the reading and critical analysis of literature related to athletic training, using professional journals, and practical experiences.
414 History, Organization, and Administration of Sports Medicine (3) (3) A presentation of the historical and current perspectives of athletic training, including techniques for organizing and administering athletic training programs. PREREQ: SMD 315. Athletic training majors only. Writing emphasis course
417 Athletic Injury Management III (3) (3) Clinical experience of 200 or more hours with specific behavioral objectives in case study presentations of injuries, illnesses, and/or conditions, plus group discussions of clinical situations. PREREQ: SMD 316.Athletic training majors only
418 Athletic Injury Management IV (3) (3) Clinical experience of 200 or more hours and participation in critical reviews of sports medicine research combined with seminars which afford interaction with various medical and paramedical practitioners. PREREQ: SMD 417. Athletic training majors only
454 Theories and Practices of Conditioning and Training (3) (3) Application of principles of physiology, psychology, and kinesiology for the design and use of conditioning programs for various sports. PREREQ: EXS 380 and SMD 361.
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