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Graduate Course Proposal Form Submission Detail - ATR5508
Tracking Number - 2420

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Current Status: Approved, Permanent Archive - 2011-08-30
Campus: Tampa
Submission Type: New
Course Change Information (for course changes only):
Comments: in GC review 3/7/11. Needs punctuation added to topics. Updated - to GC 4/4/11. Appd. To USF system 5/3/11; ready for SCNS 5/11/11. Approved effective 5/1/11


Detail Information

  1. Date & Time Submitted: 2010-12-06
  2. Department: Medical Sciences
  3. College: MD
  4. Budget Account Number: HSC-10000-613900-000000-0000000-n/a
  5. Contact Person: Dr. Jeff Konin
  6. Phone: 8133969627
  7. Email: jkonin@health.usf.edu
  8. Prefix: ATR
  9. Number: 5508
  10. Full Title: Contemporary Issues in Athletic Training
  11. Credit Hours: 3
  12. Section Type: O - Other
  13. Is the course title variable?: N
  14. Is a permit required for registration?: Y
  15. Are the credit hours variable?: N
  16. Is this course repeatable?: N
  17. If repeatable, how many times?: 0
  18. Abbreviated Title (30 characters maximum): Contemp Issues in AT
  19. Course Online?: O - Online (100% online)
  20. Percentage Online: 0
  21. Grading Option: R - Regular
  22. Prerequisites: None
  23. Corequisites: None
  24. Course Description: Takes a unique look at the current issues facing the profession of athletic training. Historical perspectives, current implications, and futuristic opportunities and threats are discussed.

  25. Please briefly explain why it is necessary and/or desirable to add this course: Needed for new program/concentration/certificate
  26. What is the need or demand for this course? (Indicate if this course is part of a required sequence in the major.) What other programs would this course service? There are over 350 accredited undergraduate athletic training programs and only 14 recognized post-graduate athletic training programs in the U.S. Though approximately 70% of certified athletic trainers hold masters-level degrees, few pertain to athletic- training- specific education. USF will offer a degree of interest via a predominantly online format that would allow individuals to continue their employment at other institutions yet have those schools pay their tuition toward our degree. This degree has been specifically designed to prepare certified athletic trainers for career growth in the area of youth sports injury. Based on previous feasibility studies, it is evident that a hybrid learning (combination of online and resident learning) athletic training master’s program is viable at the University of South Florida.
  27. Has this course been offered as Selected Topics/Experimental Topics course? If yes, how many times? No
  28. What qualifications for training and/or experience are necessary to teach this course? (List minimum qualifications for the instructor.) Ph.D., Ed.D., or equivalent, and appropriate training and experience in the topic
  29. Objectives: 1. Appreciate the historical roots of the athletic training profession and the National Athletic Trainers’ Association.

    2. Recognize the major changes that the profession of athletic training has undergone since its inception.

    3. Interpret the influence that major changes to the profession have had on the overall practice of athletic training.

    4. Assess the current organizational leadership structure of the NATA and its overall effectiveness.*

    5. Recognize potential threats of other allied health practitioners as it relates to the protection of the athletic training practice acts.*

    6. Determine areas of potential growth for the profession of athletic training.

    7. Thoroughly address the issues of working conditions and salary for practicing athletic trainers.*

    8. Make an educated judgment as to what the entry level education for the profession of athletic training should be.*

    *Specific topics for this course may change each time the course is offered based upon current issues that are of importance to the profession of athletic training.

  30. Learning Outcomes: 1. Students will learn to appreciate the historical roots of the athletic training profession and the National Athletic Trainers’ Association through the completion of assigned readings and online exercises.

    2. Students will recognize the major changes that the profession of athletic training has undergone since its inception after completing assigned readings and weekly assignments.

    3. Students will develop skills be able to interpret the influence that major changes to the profession have had on the overall practice of athletic training through participation in online activities.

    4. Students will demonstrate competence in assessment of the current organizational leadership structure of the NATA and its overall effectiveness through completion of online activities and an exam.*

    5. Through completion of assigned readings and writing assignments, students will be capable of recognizing potential threats of other allied health practitioners as it relates to the protection of the athletic training practice acts.*

    6. Through online exercises, students will determine areas of potential growth for the profession of athletic training.

    7. By successful completion of assigned readings, students will be able to thoroughly describe the issues of working conditions and salary for practicing athletic trainers.*

    8. Students will be prepared to make an educated judgment as to what the entry level education for the profession of athletic training should be after completion of selected readings and online activities.*

    *Specific topics for this course may change each time the course is offered based upon current issues that are of importance to the profession of athletic training.

  31. Major Topics: History of the NATA.

    Organizational leadership structure of the NATA.

    Organizational leadership structure of the NATA (Cont).

    Athletic training educational reform.

    Athletic training entry level education.

    Athletic training practice act limitations.

    Threats to athletic training practice by other allied health professions.

    Athletic training working conditions.

    Athletic training employment outlook.

    Athletic training changes for the future.

  32. Textbooks: Ebel R G. Far Beyond the Shoebox: Fifty Years of the National Athletic Trainers' Association. Forbes; New York, NY: 1999. ASIN: B002D8SG4O
  33. Course Readings, Online Resources, and Other Purchases:
  34. Student Expectations/Requirements and Grading Policy: Discussions 30%

    Quizzes: 20%

    Written Paper: 20%

    Final Exam 30%

  35. Assignments, Exams and Tests: Reading Assignments: Specific chapters in the textbooks and peer-reviewed journal articles required for the course will be assigned for each module. The reading assignments are the primary means by which each student will acquire the core content of the course. It is essential that students complete the reading assignments for comprehension early in each unit. Class Discussions: Class discussion topics will be introduced throughout the course. All students are expected to participate in, and in some cases, lead the class discussions. Question and answer activities, as well as identification of valuable web resources will be the focus of the discussions. Discussions are asynchronous, meaning that participants post messages to discussion lists. The advantage of this is that participants do not have to find a time when everyone can log in simultaneously. However, because exchange of ideas is so important, participants will have to be working on the same topics at roughly the same time. It is not possible, therefore, for participants to work entirely at their own pace, for example by doing all coursework in the first few days of the course or by leaving all coursework until the end. Therefore, it is imperative that you be able to participate in the discussions on a regular basis during the course. If you have questions about whether the course will be flexible enough for your purposes, please contact the course instructor. Students are expected to be active members of the class, and therefore each student should be able to log into the class at least twice a week to check for announcements and to participate in the class discussions. At a minimum, students will be required to respond to each discussion prompt, adding meaningful reflection or information in each post (short comments such as “I agree” or “Good point” do not count towards your participation in the discussion). Quizzes: For each module, a quiz will be posted on Blackboard with which students can self-test their level of comprehension of the reading assignment. The quizzes can be taken as many times as you wish so that you can determine your level of understanding of the reading material. Grades will be recorded in the grade book for completing each quiz. Written Paper: The submission of a written paper will be required as part of the completion for class credit. This paper will be a reflection of your knowledge as it pertains to pediatric musculoskeletal injuries, and in particular will pertain to the development of a patient education sheet. A grading rubric will be provided in advance so the expectations are clearly outlined. Final Exam: This exam will be comprehensive of all material covered during the entire course. The specific days and time during which the Final exam will be available will be identified in the course schedule. You will be able to take the Final exam only once and a time limit to complete the exam will be in operation.
  36. Attendance Policy: Online
  37. Policy on Make-up Work: No work will be accepted late without prior approval from the instructor. If you anticipate missing a due date for an assignment, please contact the instructor to discuss your reason(s) and alternative options. The instructor maintains the discretion to accept or refuse late work based on individual student circumstances.
  38. Program This Course Supports: Master of Science, Medical Sciences, Concentration in Athletic Training
  39. Course Concurrence Information:


- if you have questions about any of these fields, please contact chinescobb@grad.usf.edu or joe@grad.usf.edu.