“One of the things you get out of this program is a diverse medical background. “ - TJ John, Department Chair & Assistant Professor
Athletic Training Major
- Students will learn Injury Prevention, Immediate Care of Athletic Injuries, Assessment of Athletic Injuries and General Medical Conditions, Treatment and Care of Athletic Injuries (Rehabilitation, Therapeutic Modalities, Manual Therapy), Pharmacology, General Medical Conditions, and Evidence-Based Medicine. The program has received 10 years of Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE) Accreditation, which allows the students eligibility to sit for the BOC Exam.
- The Department consists of two classroom faculty and four clinical faculty members. The two classroom faculty possess post-professional degrees from Western Michigan University (one of sixteen National Athletic Training Association (NATA) Accredited Programs in the US). The Department Chair/Director of Sports Medicine specializes in lower-extremity biomechanics and orthotic fabrication. The Clinical Coordinator, Jason Halverson, is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist through the National Strength and Conditioning Association.
- Athletic Training students “Learn It” in the classroom, “Do It” in the lab, “Apply It” in the clinical setting, and “Experience It” through six semesters of clinical education, of which two are field experience courses.
- The program enjoys a great relationship with the local hospital Citizens Memorial Healthcare. CMH offers the students experience in a sports medicine clinical setting through CMH Sports Medicine Center. CMH also offers experiences with Family Practice Sports Medicine trained physician, Orthopedic physicians, Pediatric physicians, surgical observation, physical therapy observation, and experiences with podiatrists and an optometrist.
- Physicians, PTs and nurses are all guest lecturers within the classroom. The program is currently working on expanding summer clinical experiences through Kanakuk Kamps and Fort Leonard Wood.
- Most Athletic Training graduates use their certification to pay for graduate school. Most institutions offer Graduate Assistant positions, which will pay for graduate school and offer a stipend.
Visit the Athletic Training website for more information.