Athletic Training
"Making a Difference Since 1973"

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-Exercise Science
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-Undergraduate MinorsWestern Illinois University's Athletic Training Education Program's goal is to prepare athletic training students for a future role in the health care of the physically active and to meet entry-level standards of the Certified Athletic Trainer.

If you have any questions about Western Illinois University's Athletic Training Education Program, please contact Renee Polubinsky at RL-Polubinsky@wiu.edu or by phone at 309-298-2050.

Mission and Vision Statement

Western Illinois University's Athletic Training Education Program (ATEP) strives to provide athletic training students with premier academic, clinical, and hands-on experiences within the field of athletic training.  Through research, instruction, application, and feedback in the prevention, recognition, evaluation and rehabilitation of the physically active, the ATEP prepares students for success on the National Athletic Trainers' Association Board of Certification examination while building qualified entry-level professionals who are characterized by their commitment to the profession, leadership in the community, and life-long learning.

Western Illinois University's Athletic Training Education Program (ATEP) will be recognized nationally as one of the premier athletic training education programs.  Western's ATEP will be widely known for its state of the art facility and excellent instructors who are recognized for their contributions to the athletic training profession.  Students will have the opportunity to develop and utilize applied technical and clinical skills as well as critical thinking and problem-solving abilities to assist in the daily operation of traditional and non-traditional athletic training settings.  Western Illinois University graduates will assume significant leadership responsibilities across the nation and around the world.

Admission to the Program

To access the Application Materials for the Athletic Training Education Program click the link provided below. To open this link you will need to have the free Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your computer. If you do not have it installed already, click here to download it.

Application Materials for the Athletic Training Education Program At Western Illinois University

Academic Plan

The Athletic Training Education Program (ATEP) at WIU is a selective program in that students must apply for formal acceptance into the curriculum. The program can accommodate approximately 72 students based on an 8:1 ratio of students to Certified Athletic Trainers. Students are encouraged to apply for admittance to the Athletic Training Education Program as freshmen. The traditional student is required to complete an 8 semester academic plan. See 8 semester Academic Plan. Students with higher academic standing or transfer students may apply and will be given equal consideration, but must be willing to make a commitment to the program of at least 7 semesters. See 7 semester Academic Plan. These time frames are the minimal amount of time needed to attain the experience and education required to satisfy all the competencies and proficiencies required of an entry-level professional.

Entry into the ATEP is not guaranteed upon completion of the prerequisites. Other determining factors include: the success of the pre-admittance experience, meeting all academic prerequisites, completion of the application and interview process, professionalism, and the number of students already enrolled in the Athletic Training Education Program.

Selection is centered on academic achievement and athletic training experiences. Academic achievement involves completion of courses in the athletic training major and grade point averages of 2.5 overall/2.75 major. Also factored into the selection process is the overall grade-point average and evaluations from supervising Certified Athletic Trainers.

Transfer/Change of Major Student Admission to the ATEP

Transfer students, and students who have changed their major to athletic training will be considered for admission into the ATEP. These students may be able to complete the program in a seven semester academic plan, depending on the number of General Education requirements that were previously fulfilled. Transfer/Change of major students may apply for formal ATEP admission at the end of their first semester at WIU if having met all of the requirements as listed in the "Admission Requirements to the ATEP". Transfer/Change of Major students, regardless of their current academic standing, must complete all required coursework of the ATEP.

If a transfer student has courses that are considered Western Illinois University equivalent courses to any of the ATEP required courses (clinical competencies contained in them), then the department academic advisor and Program Director must review the request for course transfer. All courses with competencies in them must be taken at Western Illinois University, therefore, all transfer substitutions in ATEP required courses are denied. A student can write an appeal to the department for a transfer substitution. If the student requests to appeal for a transfer substitution that has been denied, then the student must agree to an exam that will satisfy the course competencies prior to granting the course substitution. This exam is taken through the KIN 168 course that is required for all Kinesiology Department majors to graduate. However, the student applying for an appeal of a transfer substitution must pass the specific course content area with a 70% passing score. If the student fails to achieve the 70% passing score, they must enroll in the required course at Western Illinois University. If a transfer student has courses within the athletic training major and requests a substitution consideration, the department academic advisor and Program Director will review the request to determine acceptance or denial of the substitution. Consideration of acceptance for the substitution request may involve competency testing for the student to receive credit for major courses in athletic training as a substitution.

Transfer/Change of Major Student

The Athletic Training Education Program at Western Illinois University 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 Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs [CAAHEP]). All students admitted to the Athletic Training Education Program must meet the following abilities and expectations. 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 NATABOC certification exam.

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

1. the ability to assimilate, analyze, synthesize, and integrate concepts; problem solve to formulate assessment and therapeutic judgments; and distinguish deviations from the norm.

2. the ability 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.

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.

Policies and Procedures

To access the Policies and Procedures manual click the link provided below. To open this link you will need to have the free Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your computer. If you do not have it installed already, click here to download it.

Faculty

Program  Director
Renee L. Polubinsky, EdD, ATC, CSCS
RL-Polubinsky@wiu.edu

Associate Faculty and Clinical Coordinator
Jennifer M. Plos, EdD, ATC
JM-Plos@wiu.edu

Head Athletic Trainer
Chad Cerullo, M.S., ATC

Associate Head Athletic Trainer
Molly Anderson,  M.S., ATC

Assistant Athletic Trainer
Michael Blackburn, M.A., ATC

Medical Director
Dr. Richard Iverson

Graduate Assistants
Lacy Chapel, ATC

Steven Koch, ATC
 
Jessica Laber, ATC

Antonio McLaughlin, ATC 

Kira Olds, ATC 

Megan Pilcher, ATC
 
Mike Peterson, ATC


ATEP News & Events

Watch for information on up-coming fundraisers.

NATA

National Athletic Trainers' Association

"The mission of the National Athletic Trainers' Association is to enhance the quality of health care for athletes and those engaged in physical activity, and to advance the profession of athletic training through education and research in the prevention, evaluation, management and rehabilitation of injuries." - NATA Website

GLATA

Great Lakes Athletic Trainers' Association

"GLATA strives to enhance the quality of health care for the physically active, promote the athletic trainer and advance the profession of athletic training through education and research in the prevention, evaluation, management and rehabilitation of injuries."
- GLATA Website
IATA

Illinois Athletic Trainers' Association

"The Illinois Athletic Trainers' Association (IATA) endeavors to improve the quality of athletic health care in the state of Illinois through the advancement, promotion, and improvement of the Athletic Training Profession at all levels and promote a better working relationship among those persons interested in Athletic Training by providing a means for a free exchange of ideas within the profession." - IATA Website