Undergraduate Admission

Acceptance into the Athletic Training Education Program is a competitive process.  Applications materials and procedures are outlined in KIN 181 and all documents must be submitted by November 1st.  Those invited to interview will receive email notification for a late November to early December meeting.  Those selected into the ATEP will receive a formal letter of acceptance in December and will be expected to begin the appropriate coursework and clinical rotations the following Spring Semester.  Acceptance into the ATEP is contingent upon completion of a physical examination by a licensed physician, demonstration of meeting the technical standards for admission (completed during KIN 181), and completion or be in the process of completing a Hepatitis B Virus vaccination series.  Otherwise the athletic training student must sign a waiver indicating they decline to receive a vaccine and assume the risks involved.    To be considered eligible for an interview, each applicant must complete all of the following:

• Application: An application to the ATEP must be completed and included as the cover sheet with the application packet. The application is available to those enrolled in KIN 181
• Physical Examination: Instructions for completing the physical examination are given in KIN 181.
• Current CPR:  All students must provide evidence of current CPR PRO and AED certification as an admission requirement to the ATEP.  CPR certification can be obtained outside of the university.  A photocopy of the certification card must be included with the application packet.
• Prerequisite courses: Sophomore status and enrollment or completion of Injuries in Sport (KIN 120) and Athletic Training Observation (KIN 181) are required prerequisite courses for the ATEP.  Concurrent enrollment or completion of Human Anatomy (MCB 103/104) and Human Physiology (MCB 334) are prefered. Grades of an A or B are required in all prerequisite courses for admittance.
• Grade Point Average: Students applying to the ATEP must have a cumulative GPA of 2.75, however, a 3.0 GPA is recommended.  Enrollment into the ATEP will be contingent upon the required GPA at the end of the fall semester, prior to beginning clinical rotations.
• Observation Hours: Students are expected to complete a minimum of 30 documented clinical observation hours.  These hours must be completed as part of the KIN 181 class.  Each of the hours must be completed under the direct supervision of a certified athletic trainer who is an approved clinical instructor of the UIUC
• Letters of Recommendation:  Each student must include two (2) letters of recommendation with their application packet.  We strongly encourage students to obtain letters from the clinical staff, graduate assistants, or other allied health professionals with whom the student has worked.  Letters from family, friends, and employers are accepted, but not encouraged.
• Statement of interest: Each student should compose a brief essay (1-2 pages) explaining his/her interest in athletic training, career goals, and how the University of Illinois ATEP will help them obtain those goals.  Essays clearly conveying these points and a comprehensive understanding of the athletic training profession will recognized during the selection process.
• Interview: Only those students completing all the prerequisite requirements will be invited for an interview.  The interview process will carry the greatest weight in the selection process.  This portion of the application process is intended to identify those students who are dedicated to becoming athletic trainers and possess the technical standards necessary to become a successful athletic trainer.

Transfer Students

Students transferring from other institutions are encouraged to apply to the Athletic Training Education Program.  To be eligible for the ATEP, transfer students must meet all of the pre-requisite requirements described above.  Observation hours and other coursework obtained from other universities cannot be counted toward the admission or matriculation requirements.  Once admitted to the ATEP, these students will be required to take all of the requisite courses.

Student Athletes

Student athletes are encouraged to apply to the ATEP, but will only be admitted with full cooperation from the athlete’s coaching staff.  Course sequencing cannot be altered and the student-athlete will be required to meet the minimum number of ATEP clinical hours.  Hours spent with the team while training and competing cannot be counted as ATEP clinical hours.