Professional Phase

Courses

Once selected into the professional phase of the athletic training program, students must complete four semesters of coursework. In addition, clinical education activities and a minimum of 800 hours of supervised clinical field experiences are completed, permitting the learning and mastery of clinical proficiencies. Students must continue to meet the program’s Retention Criteria and Technical Standards to maintain status as a professional phase athletic training student.

  • ATR 310 - Athletic Training Clinical I 1(Spec)
  • ATR 315 - Injury Prevention I 1(Spec)
  • ATR 320 - Athletic Training Clinical II 1(Spec)
  • ATR 380 - Athletic Training Assessment I 3(2-2)
  • ATR 381 - Athletic Training Therapeutics I 3(2-2)
  • ATR 382 - Athletic Training Assessment II 3(2-2)
  • ATR 383 - Athletic Training Therapeutics II 3(2-2)
  • ATR 384 - Athletic Training Assessment III 3(3-0)
  • ATR 387 - Athletic Training Therapeutics III 3(2-1)
  • ATR 390WI - Seminar in Athletic Training 3(3-0)
  • ATR 394 - Pharmacology in Athletic Training 2(2-0)
  • ATR 415 - Injury Prevention II 1(1-0)
  • ATR 430 - Athletic Training Clinical III 1(Spec)
  • ATR 440 - Athletic Training Clinical IV 1(Spec)
  • ATR 480 - Health Care Administration in Athletic Training 3(3-0)
  • FNS 375 - Nutrition and Performance 3(3-0)

Note: ATR 390 is offered as a WI section.

Students should meet with their academic advisor yearly throughout their college career for assistance with General Education and Other Degree requirement courses, and for complete information regarding graduation requirements. Contact Academic Advising Services at 989-774-7506 to schedule an appointment with an advisor.

Clinical Education

The professional phase athletic training student will spend four semesters in a clinical field experience. Four semesters of assigned rotations are required to complete the required educational competencies and clinical proficiencies and to accumulate a minimum of 800 hours (a minimum of 200 hours per semester) of supervised clinical experience, before the completion of the internship semester. The goal of the four semesters of clinical assignments is to provide the student a range of experiences within the athletic training profession. The student should become more independent each semester. Regardless of previous volunteer opportunities or experiences as an athletic training student, every athletic training student is required to complete an August rotation in conjunction with Clinical III or Clinical IV (fall semester). Any hours accrued during this August rotation do not count towards the 200 hour minimum for the semester. Any prior commitments (i.e. vacations, work, school) must be cleared from your schedule. Failure to complete or report for an August rotation will result in disciplinary action.

A. First Semester ATS - Assigned with a second semester ATS. Provided the opportunities to develop evaluation skills and treatment plan development as theory is learned during the semester.

Assignments: CMU Intercollegiate Athletics.

B. Semester ATS - Assigned to areas that permit the student to assume a leadership role. Opportunities provided allow the student to a) develop clinical skills such as evaluation, management, rehabilitation and referral, b) communications with coaching staff, c) home event coverage, and d) travel and away game coverage. The second-semester student will serve as a student mentor for first-semester professional phase student.

Assignments: CMU Intercollegiate Athletics.

C. Third Semester ATS - Provided opportunities to begin thinking, problem-solving and acting more independently. Given an opportunity to communicate with other healthcare professionals.

Assignments: CMU University Recreation Injury Care Center, Emergency Room, Urgent Care Center, Physician Office, Physical Therapy/Rehabilitation Facility.

D. Fourth Semester ATS - The fourth semester of clinical experience gives the students major responsibility as an athletic training student. Many positions allow the student to experience athletic training settings other than Division I athletics. Leadership skills, clinical skills, independent critical thinking and problem-solving skills, communication skills and people skills are further developed.

Assignments: Northwood University, Mt. Pleasant High School, Midland High School, Midland Dow High School, Bullock Creek High School, Beal City High School, Alma High School, Clare High School.