Athletic Training

Technical Standards for Admission

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The Athletic Training Education Program at Northeastern University is a rigorous and intense program that places specific demands on the student. The main 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. The technical standards set forth by the Athletic Training Education Program establish the minimum physical, emotional, and cognitive skills considered necessary for students admitted to this program. These skills are required to fulfill the competencies of an entry-level athletic trainer and to meet the expectations of the program's accrediting agency (Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education [CAATE]). The following abilities and expectations must be met by all students admitted to the Athletic Training Educational Program. In the event a student is unable to fulfill these technical standards, with or without reasonable accommodation, the student will not be admitted into the program.

Compliance with the program’s technical standards does not guarantee a student’s successful completion of the program or eligibility for the Board of Certification (BOC) exam in athletic training.

Candidates for selection to the Northeastern University Athletic Training Education Program must demonstrate:

  1. the mental capacity to assimilate, analyze, synthesize, integrate concepts and problem solve to formulate assessment and therapeutic judgments and to be able to distinguish deviations from the norm. Integrity, ethical standards, compassion, interpersonal skills, and motivation are all personal traits that will be assessed.
    2. sufficient postural and neuromuscular control, sensory function, and coordination to perform appropriate physical examinations using accepted techniques; and accurately, safely and efficiently use equipment and materials during the assessment and treatment of patients.
  2. the ability to observe a patient at a distance noting normal; and abnormal body position as well as other non-verbal signals. Observation typically necessitates the functional use of the sense of vision.
  3. the ability to communicate effectively and sensitively with patients and colleagues, including individuals from different cultural and social backgrounds; this includes, but is not limited to, the ability to establish rapport with patients and communicate judgments and treatment information effectively. Students must be able to understand and speak the English language at a level consistent with competent professional practice.
  4. the ability to record the physical examination results and a treatment plan clearly and accurately in a standardized medical format.
  5. the capacity to maintain composure and continue to function efficiently during periods of high stress.
  6. the perseverance, diligence and commitment to complete the athletic training education program as outlined and sequenced.
  7. flexibility and the ability to adjust to changing situations and uncertainty in clinical situations.
  8. affective skills, appropriate demeanor and rapport that relate to professional education and quality patient care.

Candidates for selection to the athletic training educational program will be required to verify they understand and meet these technical standards or that they believe that, with certain accommodations, they can meet the standards.

The Northeastern University Disability Resource Center will evaluate students who state he/she could meet the program’s technical standards with accommodation and confirm with physical and psychological assessments that the stated condition qualifies as a disability under applicable laws.

If a student states he/she can meet the technical standards with accommodation, then the University will determine whether it agrees that the student can meet the technical standards with reasonable accommodation; this includes a review a whether the accommodations requested are reasonable, taking into account whether accommodation would jeopardize clinician/patient safety, or the educational process of the student or the institution, including all coursework, clinical experiences and clinical/internships/co-ops deemed essential to graduation.

I certify that I have read and understand the technical standards for selection listed above, and I believe to the best of my knowledge that I meet each of these standards without accommodation. I understand that if I am unable to meet these standards I will not be admitted into the program.



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Contact Info

Athletic Training
301 Robinson Hall
Tel: 617-373-5355