Athletic Therapy Accommodation Guidelines Overview

This document contains information pertaining to accessing accommodations or exceptions in the athletic therapy placement process.

Applying for a Field, Clinical, or Community Placement Accommodation

Before submitting a request for accommodation, Bachelor of Athletic Therapy students should:

  1. Review Relevant Requirements: Familiarize themselves with the Academic Calendar.
  2. Understand Competency Standards: Ensure they can meet the Scope of Practice and Competencies for Certified Athletic Therapists in Canada.
  3. Refer to the Ethics and Professional Conduct. As part of the Bachelor of Health & Physical Education - Athletic Therapy program, students must also refer to the "Ethics and Professional Conduct” for Certified Athletic Therapists as per the Canadian Athletic Therapists Association for further requirements applicable during practicum, theory, and tutorial courses. This should be done well in advance of the course start date.

Please note:

  • Documentation may be required by Access and Inclusion Services. Please ensure you have the necessary documentation to avoid delaying the process.

Common Situations Not Qualifying for Accommodation

Transportation
Students are responsible for arranging their transportation to and from field, clinical, and community practice sites and for any travel required to complete placement responsibilities within Calgary and the surrounding area. The student is responsible for all travel and accommodation costs associated with practice experiences.

Conflict of Interest
Assignment to a site where a student is employed will not be considered grounds for accommodation. Assignment to a site where the student is a varsity athlete will also not be considered grounds for accommodation.

Interpersonal Conflict with a Preceptor
Managing conflict is a requisite skill for becoming a Certified Athletic Therapist in Canada. Interpersonal conflicts will not be considered grounds for an exception to accommodation.

Financial Situation
Financial challenges, including those related to transportation and travel costs, do not qualify for accommodation. Students are expected to proactively learn about, access, and utilize loans, grants, scholarships, and other funding opportunities.

Fitness to Practice
There is a distinction between academic accommodations and employment accommodations. Students are required to maintain, throughout the term of any practicum placement, ‘fitness to practice’ which is defined as all the qualities and capabilities of an individual relevant to their capacity to practice as a Certified Athletic Therapist (or athletic therapy student), including but not limited to, freedom from any cognitive, physical, psychological or emotional condition and dependence on alcohol or drugs that impairs his/her/their ability to practise. Should a student, for whatever reason, be unfit for practice, it is the student’s responsibility to remove themselves from the placement and report this to their clinical and field instructor. Students may return to the placement once they again meet the fitness to practice criteria. A note from a healthcare practitioner affirming fitness to practice may be required in some circumstances. Please refer to the Athletic Therapy Student Handbook for more details.


PLEASE NOTE:

  • Students must be aware that an approved accommodation request does not guarantee their placement preference, as placements depend on the availability and location of placement opportunities and the availability of practicum placements.
  • Please note that placements will not be approved for practicum locations/situations/settings that are identical to previous placements.
  • The definition of “Calgary and surrounding areas” is in accordance with the “Calgary zone” as per the AHS zone map: https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/ahs-map-ahs-zones.pdf.

Deadline for BHPE - Athletic Therapy

The annual deadline for submitting the BHPE - Athletic Therapy Accommodation Form is March 10. This form pertains to the subsequent academic year, which includes the subsequent Summer, Fall and Winter semesters. For example, an accommodation request form submitted on March 10, 2025 is for Summer 2025, Fall 2025 and Winter 2026.

The Athletic Therapy Request for Clinical or Field Placement Accommodation form must be completed and uploaded as part of the Access and Inclusion Public Request process if you are not already registered.