Athletic Training Admission Requirements

The undergraduate Athletic Training Program at Sam Houston State University is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE).  The program is currently applying to the CAATE for a change in level of degree. Sam Houston State University is no longer accepting students into the undergraduate athletic training program. The last undergraduate cohort is expected to graduate in May 2021.  The Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE). The program has been placed on Probation as of February 11, 2020, by the CAATE, 6850 Austin Center Blvd., Suite 100, Austin, TX, 78731-3101.

The Athletic Training Program has a competitive admission process, and the number of students will depend on the number of placements available (typically 10-15 students annually). Students must meet the following requirements for consideration of admission to the SHSU Athletic Training Program.

  1. Complete ≥ 53 credit hours with a GPA ≥ 2.75 [to include BIOL 2401, BIOL 2402, CHEM 1411 /1406, PSYC 1301, MATH 3379, KINE 2115, ATTR 2300, ATTR 2110] of the Pre-Professional Athletic Training curriculum prior to submitting the application for admission to the Athletic Training Program. No grade less than a ‘C’ in the Pre-Professional Athletic Training curriculum will be accepted.
  2. Have a grade of ‘B’ or better in KINE 2115, ATTR 2300, and ATTR 2110.
  3. Must submit proof of current CPR/AED for Health Care Professionals (see list of approved certifications per BOC) certification.
  4. Applicants must complete the on-line SHSU Athletic Training Program Application. Applicants must submit the completed SHSU Athletic Training Program Application no later than 5:00 pm on the last day of the application period.
  5. Complete a professional interview with selection committee.
  6. Must submit proof of immunizations and immunization review form (form can be downloaded from web site).
  7. Admission Preferences: Students who have completed at least 24 credit hours of pre-athletic training curriculum at SHSU will receive admission preference. Students with a second Bachelor’s Degree and have completed 16 hours of pre-athletic training curriculum at SHSU will receive admission preference.
  8. Background Checks and Drug Screening. Applicants should be aware that background checks and drug screenings will be done at the beginning of the fall semester for those students who have been accepted to the program.  Final admission to the program will be determined after the background checks and drug test results are cleared. The cost of background checks and drug screenings must be paid by the student.
  9. SHSU does not control the requirements of specific clinical site rotations or internship sites.  Individual clinical sites and internship sites may have further requirements.  The cost of any additional requirements will be the responsibility of the individual student.
  10. Admission and completion of the program does not guarantee employment. Criminal history and drug screening can have an impact on future employability.

An Athletic Training Program Selection Committee will be made up of faculty members as well as licensed healthcare professionals who serve as clinical preceptors for the program. The number of students accepted each application period is determined by the number of faculty and clinical preceptors available for adequate advisement, mentorship, supervision, and learning. Once the selection committee has selected the candidates for admission to the program, the Athletic Training Program will send each applicant an acceptance letter (approximately July 15 – August 15). Applicants who accept the invitation to enter the program must return an acceptance form prior to the first class day of the entering semester. If the applicant chooses not to enter the program, the selection committee shall have a list of alternates in order of rank to offer program admission.

Conditional Admissions:

The Athletic Training Program has a competitive admission process, and the number of students will depend on the number of placements available (typically 10-15 students annually). There may be situations in which there is availability regarding student numbers where conditional admissions may be considered by the selection committee. Conditional admission to the Athletic Training Program may be considered in one or more of the following circumstances:

  1. Applicant has a cumulative GPA is ≥ 2.5.
  2. The Applicant has no more than two grades in the PreProfessional Athletic Training curriculum below the grade of C.
  3. The Applicant is within 8 credit hours of completing the PreProfessional Athletic Training curriculum.

Students who are selected for conditional admission into the Athletic Training Program have only one semester to meet the full admission requirements of the program (see Admission Requirements above), or, in the case of GPA, show improvement in overall GPA.  Students who are conditionally admitted, and do not meet the conditions set forth by the Athletic Training Program and Selection Committee, that were not due to circumstances beyond their control, will be suspended from the program.  Students suspended from the program may appeal the suspension to the Athletic Training Program Director. Students suspended from the program must wait one year before applying for re-admission to the program.

Retention Criteria:

Students admitted to the Athletic Training Program must meet the following criteria to remain in the program in good standing:

  1. The student must maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.60 or higher.
  2. The student must complete all Clinical Experience courses, and Internship courses with a grade of “B” or better.
  3. The student must complete all courses with an ATTR or KINE prefix courses on their degree plan with a “C” or better.

If a student does not meet one or more of the above listed retention criterion, the student will be placed on a probationary period with the Athletic Training Program. A student on probation with the program may be restricted from enrolling in subsequent clinical experience courses. This can delay the student’s progression through the program and can delay the program completion date for that student. If the student does not complete or correct the unsatisfactory work by the end of the probationary period, the student may be suspended from the program.  Students suspended from the program may appeal the suspension to the Director of the Athletic Training Program who will refer the appeal to the Department Chair. Students suspended from the program must wait one year before applying for re-admission to the program. 

Immunization Review Form

Contact Information

Mary Williams EdD, ATC, LAT, 936-294-1172, mary.williams@shsu.edu