Students are required to maintain a cumulative grade point average of 2.5 and complete the application process to the Department of Health and Exercise Science following their third semester on campus (January 15th each year is the deadline). Additionally, students must complete 1000 hours of clinical experience under the supervision of an approved clinical instructor and successfully complete the Clinical Competencies and Proficiencies and the five clinical affiliations.

Admission Standards
Admission to the Athletic Training Major is regardless of sex, race, color, national or ethnic origin or disability. Only applicants who have meet the minimum requirements established below will be considered for a position. The admission process will be competitive for limited positions. Admission packets may be requested from the Director, Athletic Training Program.

• Understand and sign the Technical Standards Form for the athletic training program.
• Three letters of reference--stipulating academic and leadership potential and overall character of the applicant--from the faculty at Bridgewater College.
• Completion of a minimum of 200 "pre-placement" hours with intercollegiate athletics at Bridgewater College. These hours are used to familiarize the student with the athletic training profession and the practical requirements of the program.
• Successful academic performance resulting in a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5.
• Self-direction essay (500 words).
• Successful completion of ES 249, ES 250 and BIOL 305 (final grade of C or above).
• All students meeting established minimum requirements will be interviewed by the Curriculum Admission Committee.

The Curriculum Admission Committee will interview and rank candidates based on objective criteria. Admission will not exceed a ratio of more than 8 students per Certified Athletic Trainer. Letters of admission will be sent to applicants prior to February 1st.

Technical Standards Information
The Athletic Training Educational Program at Bridgewater College is a rigorous and intense 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 establish 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 the expectations of the program's accrediting agency (Commission on the Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE)). The following abilities and expectations must be met by all students admitted to the Athletic Training Education 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 eligibility for the BOC certification exam.

Candidates for selection to the Athletic Training Educational 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.
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.
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 behavior.
4. the ability to record the physical examination results and a treatment plan clearly and accurately.
5. the capacity to maintain composure and continue to function well 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 and 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 will meet the standards.

The Bridgewater College Director of the Student Resource Center will evaluate a student who states he/she could meet the program's technical standards with accommodation and confirm that the stated condition qualifies as a disability under applicable laws.

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

Transfer Students
A student who has attended another accredited college or university and is in good standing there may apply for admission to Bridgewater College. One who has attended an accredited two-year college may transfer as many as 68 credits in courses comparable to those offered at Bridgewater College. Transfer students applying for admissions to Bridgewater College must have cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or above and be in good standing at the college they are attending. A transfer student applying for admissions into the Bridgewater College Athletic Training Education Program must have a minimum of a 2.5 cumulative grade point average and must have completed the aforementioned admissions standards (Technical Standards Form; ES 249, ES 250 and BIOL 305; 200 observational hours; essay; application and interview). No student will be admitted into the program without successful completion of the pre-placement phase. Credentials collected for admission include all of those that are required for first time entering students as well as Dean's Reference Form (included with a letter from the Director of Enrollment Operations acknowledging receipt of the application) and an official transcript from each institution of higher learning attended since completion of the secondary program. Transcripts will be evaluated by the Registrar on a course-by-course basis. Credit will be awarded only for those courses that a grade of C or above has been earned. The only course that may be transferred in within the Athletic Training Major is ES 250. All other course for this major must be taken at Bridgewater College. Other general education requirements may be transferred based on the above criteria.

Graduation Requirements

• Complete a minimum of 123 credits with a minimum of 49 credits chosen from junior-senior level courses.

• Complete course requirements for the major, and earn a passing score on a written comprehensive examination in the major.

• Earn a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.5 and a minimum grade point average of 2.5 in courses required for the major.

• Complete general education requirements.

• Successful completion of the Clinical Competencies and Proficiencies.

• Successful completion of the five Clinical Affiliations (introduction to athletic training, upper extremity intensive sports, lower extremity intensive sports, equipment intensive sports, and medical intensive rotation).

Following successful completion of this program, a student will be eligible to sit for the Board of Certification (BOC) exam.

Faculty
Barbara H. Long, MS, VATL, ATC, Chair, Department Health & Exercise Science, Director, Athletic Training Program, Assistant Professor, Health & Exercise Science. Professor Long is a graduate of Bridgewater College with a degree in Biology; United States Sports Academy with master's degrees in Sports Medicine and Fitness Management and is currently enrolled in the Doctor of Education program in Organzational Leadership at Shenandoah University. She was certified by the Board of Certification in 1989 and is licensed by the Commonwealth of Virginia Board of Medicine as an athletic trainer.  Her career has had her working with professional and high level amateur athletes at places like the World University Games, US Olympic Training Center and several professional football camps. She has also served as Head Athletic Trainer at Broadway High School and a clinical ATC for RMH Rehab Services, and Body Ease Physical Therapy, PC.  Professor Long's research interests include pathogens in athletic training such as, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), hydration levels in athletes, and fall prevention in the elderly.  Professor Long spent 10 years as a clinical athletic trainer and through this work developed community education presentations and publications dealing with Exercise and Aging, Fall Prevention, Increasing the Functional Limits of Aging, and Children and Sports. During this process, she also acted as co-chair for the Wellness Workgroup of the ElderAlliance, Inc and coordinator of the Stride Inside Valley Mall Walking Program. Stuart, Barbara's husband, and herself enjoy living in the Lacey Springs area with their two children--Tyler and Cassie.

Charles W. Hale, IV, MSEd, VATL, ATC, Assistant Professor, Health and Exercise Science, Clinical Education Coordinator, Athletic Training Program and Assistant, Athletic Trainer . Professor Hale joined the Bridgewater staff in the spring of 2000 as the College's Assistant Athletic Trainer. He has a Bachelor's degree in Health Science/Athletic Training and a Master's degree in Health Science Education from James Madison University. Professor Hale is currently pursuing his Doctorate of Education degree from Shenandoah University in organizational leadership.  For two years he was contracted from RMH Rehab Services, where he also worked within the occupational and physical therapy departments, to provide athletic training services at Bridgewater College. In 2002, Professor Hale moved to a full-time faculty position in the Health and Exercise Science Department where he teaches kinesiology and athletic training courses. In addition to teaching, Professor Hale also serves as the clinical education coordinator for the athletic training education program. His career has had him working with collegiate baseball, football, soccer, and volleyball. Currently, he works with the College's field hockey, lacrosse, and tennis teams. Professor Hale lives in Grottoes with his wife Ada and their two children Charlie and Stella.

Approved Clinical Instructors
Christopher Horschel, MEd, VATL, ATC, Associate, Athletic Trainer. Chris Horschel is originally from Palm Bay, Florida. Prior to his education in Athletic Training, he spent 6 years in the Navy as a Hospital Corpsman. During this time he worked in areas such as the Obstetrics, General Surgery, and Orthopedic clinics. He also worked 5 years as an Orthopedic Cast Technician at the Medical University of South Carolina. He received his Bachelor's degree in Physical Education w/ a concentration in Athletic Training from the College of Charleston. Chris has recently finished his Masters degree in Education from The Citadel were he spent time with their football, soccer and wrestling teams.

Ellen Hicks, MEd, VATL,ATC, Assistant, Athletic Trainer. Ellen Hicks has a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology, Minor in Athletic Training from Bridgewater College, and a Master of Education degree from Northwestern State University in Health Promotion. She was certified by the Board of Certification in 1996 and is licensed by the Commonwealth of Virginia Board of Medicine as an Athletic Trainer, Pharmacy Technician, and Emergency Medical Technician. Ellen has 11 years clinical athletic training experience; the last ten of those years were with RMH Rehab services. She has also spent the last nine years working for Rockingham County Public Schools at Broadway High School as the Head Athletic Trainer. Ellen resides in Port Republic and primarily works with Volleyball, Women's Basketball, and Track & Field.

Sarah Cook, MA, VATL, ATC, Assistant Athletic Trainer. Sarah Cook hails from Lewiston, Maine.  She has a bachelor's degree in Athletic Training from Colby-Sawyer College and a Master of Arts degree in Sport Psychology from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities.  Her assistantship at the University of Minnesota gave her the opportunity to teach a variety of physical education classes as well as a lecture class on sport psychology.  Her primary research interest is in the psychology of injury and rehabilitation.  Sarah spent a summer as the head athletic trainer at JRobinson Intensive Basketball Camps and has experience working with Division I Men's Ice Hockey and Men's Gymnastics.  She resides in Harrisonburg with her menagerie of small animals.  Her primary responsibilities are men's and women's soccer and softball.

Facilities
Nininger Hall
Formally known as Alumni Gymnasium, Nininger Hall was named for R. Douglas Nininger, longtime chairman of the Board of Trustees, his wife and other members of his family. The building was erected in 1957-58 and was extensively remodeled in 1979-80. In addition to the usual athletic faculties, the building contains classrooms, athletic training and physiology laboratory, the athletic training room and a swimming pool that boasts a movable floor (depth) to accommodate the physically disabled.

Funkhouser Center for Wellness
A $4.5 million, 34,000 square foot health and wellness center will be open for students and faculty in September 2001. The facility contains two 50x84 basketball courts, a 50x94 basketball court, two volleyball courts, a jogging/walking track, a cardiac center, and multipurpose space for aerobics. The College's health services and athletic training offices are also located within the Funkhouser Center.

Rockingham Memorial Hospital Wellness Pavilion
This is an 8,600 square foot, comprehensive rehab facility with an adjoining 50,000 square foot wellness facility. A varying number of health professionals provide daily patient care including: Certified Athletic Trainers, Occupational Therapists, Physical Therapists, Massage Therapists, Personal Trainers, Exercise Physiologists and Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialists. All ATS's will enjoy a rotation within this facility. Numerous laboratory experiences are also performed within the RMH Wellness Pavilion.

Broadway High School
This newly constructed high school offers a variety of opportunities for the ATS. Broadway High School hosts 25 varsity and junior varsity sports and has approximately 600 athletes.

Fort Defiance High School
This high school is located just south of Bridgewater. The varsity and junior varsity sports allow many opportunities for the athletic training student to become proficient in their skills.