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Technical Standards

Required Technical Standards for KU's professional master of science in athletic training.

The KU master's degree program in athletic training intends for its graduates to become competent and compassionate health care providers who are capable of entering the profession and meeting all requirements for credentialing as athletic trainers. Students are expected to develop a robust knowledge base and the requisite clinical skills, with the ability to appropriately apply their knowledge and skills effectively interpret information, and contribute to patient-centered decisions across a broad spectrum of situations and settings related to athletic training.

The following technical standards, in conjunction with the academic standards, are requirements for admission, retention, and graduation. The term "candidate" refers to candidates for admission to the athletic training program as well as current athletic training students who are candidates for retention and graduation. KU's master's degree program in athletic training maintains a strong commitment to equal educational opportunities for qualified students with disabilities who apply for admission to the program or who are already enrolled. The technical standards are not intended to deter any candidate for whom reasonable accommodation will allow the fulfillment of the complete curriculum.

Candidates with disabilities are encouraged to contact the Academic Accommodations Office at 913-945-7035 (711) or cukoko@kumc.edu early in the application process to begin a confidential conversation about what accommodations they may need to meet these standards. This process is informed by the knowledge that students with varied types of disabilities have the ability to become successful health professionals.

Observation: Candidates must acquire information as presented through demonstrations and experiences in the foundational sciences. Candidates must also:

  • Evaluate patients* accurately and assess their relevant health, behavioral, and medical information.
  • Obtain and interpret information through a comprehensive assessment of patients, correctly interpret diagnostic representations of patients' physiologic data, and accurately evaluate patients' conditions and responses.
  • Clinical Skills: Candidates must perform physical examinations and diagnostic maneuvers. These activities require some physical mobility, coordination of both gross and fine motor neuromuscular function, balance, and equilibrium. Candidates must also:
  • Provide general care and emergency treatment for patients and respond to emergency situations in a timely manner.
  • Meet applicable safety standards for the environment and follow universal precaution procedures.

Communication: Candidates must exhibit interpersonal skills to enable effective caregiving of patients/clients. Candidates must also:

  • Communicate effectively, with all members of a multidisciplinary health care team, patients/clients, and those supporting patients/clients, in person and in writing.
  • Clearly and accurately record information and accurately interpret verbal and nonverbal communication.

Clinical Reasoning: Candidates must effectively interpret, assimilate, and understand complex information required to function within the athletic training curriculum. Candidates must also:

  • Comprehend three-dimensional relationships and understand the spatial relationships of structures.
  • Effectively participate in individual, small-group, and lecture learning modalities in the classroom, clinical, and community settings.
  • Learn, participate, collaborate, and contribute as a part of a team.
  • Synthesize information both in person and via remote technology.
  • Interpret causal connections and make accurate, fact-based conclusions based on available data and information.
  • Formulate a hypothesis and investigate potential answers and outcomes.
  • Reach appropriate and accurate conclusions.

Judgment: Candidates must exercise good judgment; promptly complete all responsibilities attendant to the diagnosis and care of patients; and develop mature, sensitive, and effective relationships with patients. Candidates must also:

  • Effectively handle and manage heavy workloads, function effectively under stress.
  • Adapt to changing environments, display flexibility, and learn to function in the face of the uncertainties inherent in the clinical problems of patients.

Behavioral and Social Attributes: Candidates are expected to exhibit professionalism, personal accountability, compassion, integrity, concern for others, and interpersonal skills. Candidates must:

  • Accept and apply feedback and to respect boundaries.
  • Care for all individuals in a respectful and effective manner regardless of race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, national origin, age, ancestry, disability, status as a veteran, sexual orientation, marital status, parental status, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, or any other protected status.

Professional Expectations: Candidates must understand, and function within, the legal and ethical aspects of the practice of athletic training. Candidates must also:

  • Maintain and display ethical and moral behaviors commensurate with the role of an athletic trainer in all interactions with patients, faculty, staff, students, and the public.
  • Maintain interest and motivation throughout the educational processes.

*The term “patient” throughout the document, refers to both patients and clients as referenced in the professional program standards from the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education.

Revised by KU Medical Center Office of Student Affairs, Office of General Counsel, Academic Accommodation Services and KU master's degree program in athletic training: 11-2020.

KU School of Health Professions

Physical Therapy, Rehabilitation Science, and Athletic Training
University of Kansas Medical Center
Mail Stop 2002
3901 Rainbow Blvd.
Kansas City, KS 66160
ptrsat@kumc.edu

913-588-6799