Athletic Training Certification Master Plan

Observation Period

The observation period is a learning experience for the student and is part of the acceptance process. The observational student is required to devote 50 hours each semester (100 hours minimum) to skill acquisition and observation in the athletic training room setting.
This period has two purposes: 1) It allows the potential student athletic trainer to participate and observe first hand to see if the program suits their needs and career objectives, 2) It affords the staff the opportunity to evaluate the student firsthand.

Two courses have been designed to give you academic credit while you pursue the hours required in the observation period:
- First semester observation: ESS 238 Observational Clinical Coursework I
- Second semester observation: ESS 239 Observational Clinical Coursework II

When the student athletic trainer has completed the observation period, he or she may apply to the Athletic Training Program. Please see admission criteria for details.

Professional Phase

Once admitted to the Athletic Training Program, the student will begin the Professional Phase of the clinical program.

Each student over a minimum 3 year period and maximum 5 year period will complete 1000 hours of clinical experience. This period functions to expose the athletic training student to as many clinical and educational experiences as possible and to allow time to meet all clinical proficiencies you are required to learn over time. This shall be accomplished in the following manner:

Year One

100 hours per semester minimum for upper/lower extremity intensive team sports rotation.

1. Enrollment in ESS 338 Beginning Clinical Coursework I
2. Fulfill the competency requirements of a 1st year student (Introduction, Integration and Mastery)
3. The student may be assigned to a designated allied site for clinical experience to learn from the ACI and to assist the Certified Athletic Trainers and more experiences student athletic trainers with practice and event coverage of upper and lower extremity intensive team sports as well as regularly scheduled training room hours.

Spring:
1. Enrollment in ESS 339 Beginning Clinical Coursework II
2. Fulfill the competency requirements of a 1st year student (Introduction, Integration and Mastery)
3. The student may be assigned to a designated allied site for clinical experience to learn from the ACI and to assist the Certified Athletic Trainers and more experiences student athletic trainers with practice and event coverage of upper and lower extremity intensive team sports as well as regularly scheduled training room hours.

Year Two

Fall: 250 hours minimum for the equipment intensive rotation.
1. Enrollment in ESS 388 Intermediate Clinical Coursework I
2. Fulfill the competency requirements of a 2nd year student (Introduction, Integration and Mastery)
3. Students will be assigned to a designated allied site for clinical experience to learn from the ACI and assist the Certified Athletic Trainer s with practice and event coverage of equipment intensive team sports as well as regularly scheduled training room hours.

Spring: 90 hours minimum for the general medicine rotation
1. Enrollment in ESS 389 Intermediate Clinical Coursework II
2. Fulfill the competency requirements of a 2nd year student (Introduction, Integration and Mastery)
3. The student will be assigned to a designated allied site for observation of various medical professionals. Four 3-4 week assignments will be utilized in the areas of orthopedic medicine, family practice, alternative medicine and physical therapy.
4. Observation of one surgical procedure is required.

Year Three

175 hours per semester minimum for a Team Sport Assignment each semester (Upper/Lower extremity intensive team sports).

Fall:
1. Enrollment in ESS 438 Advanced Clinical Coursework I
2. Fulfill the competencies required of a 3rd year student (Integration and Mastery)
3. The student may be assigned to a designated allied site for clinical experience to learn from the ACI and to assist the Certified Athletic Trainers and more experiences student athletic trainers with practice and event coverage of upper and lower extremity intensive team sports as well as regularly scheduled training room hours.

Spring:
1. Enrollment in ESS 439 Advanced Clinical Coursework II
2. Fulfill the competencies required of a 3rd year student (Integration and Mastery)
3. The student may be assigned to a designated allied site for clinical experience to learn from the ACI and to assist the Certified Athletic Trainers and more experiences student athletic trainers with practice and event coverage of upper and lower extremity intensive team sports as well as regularly scheduled training room hours.
4. Complete the Capstone Project.