Undergraduate Program

The Professional Physical Education Program offers three majors: Physical Education-Teacher Education, Exercise Science and Athletic Training. A minor in Athletic Coaching is also available.

Mission Statement

The mission of the Department of Health, Exercise and Sports Sciences is to positively impact citizens and institutions of New Mexico and other regions through teaching, scholarship and service pertaining to healthy lifestyles, disease prevention, lifetime physical activity, and/or sports participation. The curricula offered in the program foster understanding in five areas:

1. Health Education/Promotion
2. Physical Education
3. Exercise Science
4. Sport Administration
5. Athletic Training

Physical Education

The curriculum leading to the degree of Bachelor of Science in Education is designed to prepare the student to teach physical education in elementary, middle and/or junior and senior high schools (K–12). Students completing the program are eligible to apply for a teaching license in New Mexico. The examinations required by the State of New Mexico are the New Mexico Assessment of Teacher Competency and the Physical Education Content Test.

State Board of Education licensure requirements are subject to periodic change. Contact a PETE advisor for specific requirements for programs leading to educator licensure and endorsement (K–12).

A grade of C or better (Not C-) is required for each General Education course that counts toward the 132 hour degree. A Grade of B- or better is required for all content courses.

Physical Education Teacher Education–The University of New Mexico Core Requirements

* Program course requirement
** Senate Bill 106 requirement

Special Requirements for Physical Education Student Teaching

Admission to the College of Education and the Physical Education Teacher Education Program occurs at Checkpoint 1:

1. Complete general education courses with an overall GPA of 2.5
2. Complete content area courses with a B- or better
3. Pass the New Mexico Teacher Assessment of Basic Skills Test
4. Submit the COE application packet to the COE Advisement Center in Hokona Hall
5. Fulfill all Checkpoint I requirements with a rating of acceptable or better
6. Submit the Checkpoint 1 application along with Portfolio for faculty review
7. Attain Disposition rating of Basic or higher

Admission to Physical Education Student Teaching occurs at Checkpoint 2:

1. Complete general education courses with an overall GPA of 2.5
2. Complete content area courses with a B- or better
3. Receive an acceptable rating on Junior Block Instructional Evaluations
4. Complete a Graduation Check
5. Fulfill all Checkpoint 2 requirements with a rating of acceptable or better
6. Submit the Checkpoint 2 application along with Portfolio for faculty review
7. Attain Disposition rating of Basic or higher

Physical Education Degree Completion Review occurs at Checkpoint 3:

1. Complete general education courses with an overall GPA of 2.5
2. Complete content area courses with a B- or better
3. Receive an acceptable rating on Student Teacher Instructional Evaluations
4. Fulfill all Checkpoint 3 requirements with a rating of acceptable or better
5. Submit the Checkpoint 3 application along with Portfolio for faculty review

Post-Baccalaureate endorsement programs in Physical Education-Teacher Education are also available.

Athletic Training Education Program

Mission Statement:
The mission of the UNM-ATEP is to provide a comprehensive and progressive, didactic and clinical foundation to prepare qualified professionals for a career in athletic training. Strong emphasis is placed upon the provision of opportunities within the curriculum for the development of skills encompassing the domains of athletic training. Through successful completion of the UNM-ATEP, graduates are prepared to pass the Board of Certification examination, become competent healthcare professionals and, provide optimal health care to the physically active.

Overview:
The University of New Mexico Athletic Training Education Program (UNM-ATEP) is dedicated to creating and maintaining an educational program that meets the standards and guidelines set forth by the following governing bodies: National Athletic Trainers’ Association Education Council (NATA-EC); Board of Certification (BOC); and Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE). Currently, the UNM-ATEP is accredited by CAATE.

The University of New Mexico (UNM) grants a Bachelor of Science Degree in Athletic Training upon completion of the UNM-ATEP. Successful completion of the UNM-ATEP is achieved through structure and content as described below:

Structure

• The number of credit hours in the UNM-ATEP is 132.
• Eighty-Nine (89) of the 132 credit hours are specific to the competencies within the eight educational content areas set forth by the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA).
• Sixty (60) of the 132 credit hours are UNM core classes and electives.

Content

The BOC Role Delineation/Practice Analysis 6th edition (2011) concluded the profession is divided into five major domains:

• Injury/Illness Prevention and Wellness Protection;
• Clinical Evaluation and Diagnosis;
• Immediate and Emergency Care;
• Treatment and Rehabilitation;
• Organization and AProfessional Health and Well-being.

The above domains are then divided into twelve educational content areas which define the educational curricula that students enrolled in an accredited athletic training program must master. The eight curriculum content areas include:

• Evidence Based Practice;
• Prevention and Health Promotion;
• Clinical Examination and Diagnosis
• Acute Care of Injury and Illness;
• Therapeutic Interventions
• Psychosocial Strategies and Referral;
• Healthcare Administration;
• Professional Development and Responsibility

Technical Standards for Program Admission

Technical Standards:
The University of New Mexico Athletic Training Education Program is an intense program that places specific educational and clinical requirements on the students enrolled in the program. Upon enrollment into this program, students are prepared to enter a variety of athletic training employment settings by achieving the skills, competencies, and knowledge of an entry level Certified Athletic Trainer. The following technical standards set forth by the University of New Mexico Athletic Training Education Program define the essential qualities necessary for students who are considering admission into the program. These standards meet the requirements set forth by the governing body of all Athletic Training Education Programs, the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education.

Candidates for admission into the University of New Mexico Athletic Training Education Program must demonstrate:

1. The ability to communicate effectively with patients, colleagues, and instructors. This includes individuals of different social, cultural, and religious backgrounds.
2. Students must be able to speak and comprehend the English language at a level capable of communicating in a professional manner while within the health care environment.
3. Adequate postural, neuromuscular control, sensory function, and coordination to accurately, and safely perform accepted evaluation techniques.
4. The mental capacity to analyze, assimilate, problem solve, and integrate concepts essential to the practice of athletic training.
5. The ability to accurately and efficiently document treatments, rehabilitations, and evaluations.
6. Affective skills and appropriate conduct that relate to professional education, and superior patient care.
7. The capacity to maintain composure and continue to function well during periods of high stress and demands.
8. The perseverance, diligence, and commitment to successfully complete the University of New Mexico Athletic Training Education Program as outlined by the University of New Mexico Athletic Training Education Program: Athletic Training Student Handbook.

Candidates for selection into the University of New Mexico Athletic Training Education Program are required to verify that they understand and are able to meet the above technical standards, or that they believe that with certain accommodations they can meet these standards.

If a student states that he or she cannot meet these standards without accommodation, then the University of New Mexico Student Disability Services Department will confirm that the stated condition qualifies as a disability under State and Federal laws. This includes a review of the proposed accommodations, determining if these accommodations will in any way jeopardize patient and clinician safety, or the educational coursework of the student or the institution, including coursework and clinical experiences necessary for graduation from the University of New Mexico Athletic Training Education Program.

Application Procedures

Program Admission Requirements:

Admission into the University of New Mexico Athletic Training Education Program (UNM-ATEP) is a highly competitive process and the number of students accepted is limited. Acceptance is based upon academic achievement, recommendations, the number of Clinical Educators (CE), and available clinical settings. The Athletic Training Student (ATS) may apply to the UNM-ATEP, if they have met the following requirements:

1. Successfully complete a physical examination that includes immunization records;
2. Submit a signed “Technical Standards for Program Admission” Statement;
3. Successfully complete Bloodborne Pathogens Training;
4. Complete a minimum of 50 clinical observation hours in the University of New Mexico (UNM) athletic training facilities and affiliated clinical sites.
5. Achieve a B- or better in HED 164L, PEP 273, and PEP 284;
6. Have a 2.75 Grade Point Average (GPA) or better;
7. Submit a UNM-ATEP application to the UNM-ATEP Coordinator. 
8. This Includes:
   1.  An unofficial UNM transcript with UNM-ATEP application; 
   2. Copy of First Aid Certification; 
   3. Copy of either American Red Cross Professional Rescuer OR American Heart Association Healthcare Provider CPR / AED certification.
9. Submit three recommendation forms.

Applications are available in the UNM-ATEP Coordinator's office.

Transfer Student Admission Procedures:
In addition to the above requirements, transfer students will be considered for acceptance into the UNM-ATEP upon completion of the following:

• Submit syllabus and coursework (include competencies / proficiencies if applicable) from all previous athletic training courses taken;
• The transfer student will need to demonstrate all competencies / proficiencies associated with transfer courses;
• Advisement with the UNM-ATEP Coordinator;
• Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75* on all transferred courses;
• The transfer student must have obtained a “B-” or better in all transferred athletic training course work;
• Probationary acceptance may be considered for transfer students who have not met the grade requirement, however the student will be required to retake the corresponding athletic training course;
• Completion of 30 observational hours in the UNM Athletic Training Facilities (not 50 hours as listed above);
• Completion of the UNM-ATEP undergraduate entrance application (obtain from UNM-ATEP Coordinator).

*Although the minimum GPA requirement to be admitted at UNM is a cumulative 2.0, the UNM-ATEP requires a cumulative 2.75 GPA for acceptance into the UNM-ATEP.

Transfer Course Acceptance Procedure

The University of New Mexico Athletic Training Education Program (UNM-ATEP) Coordinator along with the Department of Health, Exercise and Sports Sciences (HESS) Chair, will review all course descriptions and syllabi. Materials submitted will be compared to University of New Mexico (UNM) course descriptions, objectives and competencies / proficiencies to determine if they are compatible.

If the course does not have comparable credit hours, content, objectives, and / or clinical experiences, the course will not be substituted for a UNM course and the student will follow the normal athletic training curricular plan. If the course is equivalent to the UNM course, the student will be required to demonstrate all competencies / proficiencies associated with the transfer course. The course will then be placed within the curricular plan where deemed appropriate by the UNM-ATEP Coordinator and the HESS Chair.

Progression and Retention Policy

In order to progress and continue in the UNM-ATEP, the Athletic Training Student must comply with the following:

1. Current American Red Cross Professional Rescuer or American Heart Association Healthcare Provider CPR / AED certification;
2. Current First Aid Certification or EMT licensure;
3. Annual Bloodborne Pathogens Module current certificate of completion;
4. Maintain registration with the UNM College of Education (COE) field Services Portal, including:
5. a.  A clean Background Check,
6. b.  Medical professional liability insurance
7. Appropriate progression through the UNM-ATEP Educational Competencies and Clinical Proficiencies Manuals, Levels I-IV, as described in course syllabi;
8. Satisfactorily complete Athletic Training Student evaluations as per course syllabi;
9. Maintain compliance with the UNM-ATEP: Athletic Training Student Handbook and all UNM policies and procedures as outlined in the UNM Catalog and UNM Student, Pathfinder;
10. Achieve a “B-” or better in all athletic training courses;
11. Achieve a “C” or better in all general education courses;
12. Maintain cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of a 2.75;
13. Attend academic advisement session with UNM-ATEP faculty each semester;
14. Adhere to the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA) Code of Ethics.

Athletic Training Curriculum:

Athletic Training Students must obtain a “B-” or better in all athletic training courses to advance in the UNM- ATEP. A Grade of C (not C-) or better is required for all other courses that count towards the 132 hour degree.

Dual Degree B.S. Athletic Training and B.S.Ed. Physical Education

For secondary licensure
Students must obtain a "B-" or better in all athletic training and physical education courses to advance in the UNM-ATEP. A grade of C (not C-) or better is required for all other courses that count toward the 163 hour degree.

Exercise Science

The curriculum leads to a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science and includes course work in the theoretical and applied aspects of exercise science. The major prepares health/fitness instructors for a variety of settings including fitness centers, corporate fitness programs and outpatient physical therapy and cardiopulmonary rehabilitation programs.

The Exercise Science Program requires a 3.0 GPA for admission into the undergraduate program. A grade of B- or better is required for all PE-P and PE-NP courses; a grade of C or better (Not C-) is required for each general education course towards the 130-hour degree.

Athletic Coaching Minor

Additional Information

Students who, for any reason, interrupt their progress in the physical education program at the University of New Mexico for more than two consecutive semesters must reapply.

High School Preparation: Students intending to study professional physical education should prepare themselves adequately in high school with courses in biology, algebra, chemistry and physics.