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 Athletic Training Major

NMU Admissions Website

The Northern Michigan University Athletic Training Education Program is accredited by CAATE (Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Educaton). Students wishing to sit for the national certification exam in athletic training, MUST graduate from an accredited from an accredited program.

The undergraduate program leading to a BS in Athletic Training at NMU is designed specifically to prepare students for the Board of Certification Examination.  It will also prepare students for an entry level position in the field of Athletic Training.

Advising Sheet/List of ATR Major Courses

Requirements in our Athletic Training major will include the core athletic training classes (60 credits).  This program requires the completion of six clinical classes which provide the student with a wide variety of “hands-on” experiences in the field.  All clinical experiences are directly supervised by a certified athletic trainer.

Students wishing to be admitted into the athletic training program apply during the winter semester with the application deadline being February 1st.  15 students are admitted into the program based on the admission criteria. 

Athletic Training Application for Admission

Athletic Training Major Application Checklist

Students interested in pursuing a major in Athletic Training are encouraged to contact:

Julie A. Rochester, MS, ATC
Director, Accredited Athletic Training Education Program
Northern Michigan University
Department of HPER
1401 Presque Isle Avenue
Marquette, MI  49855
(906) 227-2026
jrochest@nmu.edu

 

Athletic Training - Bulletin Description

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The Athletic Training major is designed to prepare and qualify students to take the Associations Certification Examination.  Upon obtaining certification, students will be qualified athletic trainers for positions in settings such as high schools, colleges, sports medicine clinics, rehabilitation centers, or private industry.  Students who enter the major must achieve a grade of “C” or higher in all major courses.  Students must also select a concentration of eight (8) credits from either health, biology, or physical education.

 

Admission to the Baccalaureate Athletic Training Sequence

Before applying for admission to the Athletic Training program, applicants must:

1.         Be admitted to Northern Michigan University.

2.         Have completed, or be in the process of completing the following courses: ATR 100, HL 101, and HL 242.

3.         Achieve a cumulative NMU GPA of 2.75 or better in their first semester, with a minimum of 3.0 in ATR 100.

4.         File an application with current transcript of grades and three letters of recommendation with the Department of Health, Physical Education and Recreation by February 1, for the succeeding fall semester.

5.         Sit for a formal interview with the Director of the Athletic Training program and additional certified athletic training staff members, after application has been filed.

6.         Meet all technical standards of the Athletic Training Program.

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The Department of Health, Physical Education and Recreation admits a limited number of students to the Athletic Training program each year.  If the number of eligible applicants exceed the number of placements available, the faculty reserves the right to select the applicants who shall be admitted.  The remaining eligible applicants may apply for admission the following year.  Ordinarily, students may expect to complete the entire program in approximately three academic years AFTER being admitted to the Athletic Training program, assuming that they complete all of their courses satisfactorily and in sequence.

The Athletic Training program at Northern Michigan University is a rigorous and intense program that places specific requirements and demands on the students accepted into the program.  An objective of this program is to prepare graduates to enter into a variety of employment settings and to render care to a wide variety of physically active individuals.  The technical standards set forth by the NMU Athletic Training Educational Program establish the essential qualities considered necessary for students admitted to this program to achieve the knowledge, skills, and competencies of an entry-level athletic trainer, as well as meet the expectations of the programs accrediting agency (Commission on Accreditation of  Athletic Training Education - CAATE). Allied Health Education Programs [CAATE).  The following abilities and expectations must be met by all students admitted to the Athletic Training Education Program.  In the event a student is unable to fulfill these technical standards, with or without reasonable accommodation, the student will not be admitted into the program.  Compliance with the program’s technical standards does not guarantee a student’s eligibility for the Certification Examination.

Candidates for selection into the Northern Michigan University Athletic Training Education Program must demonstrate the following:

1.        the mental capacity to assimilate, analyze, synthesize, integrate concepts and problem solve to formulate assessment and therapeutic judgments and to be able to distinguish deviations from the norm.

2.         sufficient postural and neuromuscular control, sensory function, and coordination to perform appropriate physical examinations using accepted techniques; and accurately, safely and efficiently use equipment and materials during the assessment and treatment of patients.

3.         the ability to communicate effectively and sensitively with patients and colleagues, including  individuals from different cultural and social backgrounds; this includes, but is not limited to, the ability to establish rapport with patients and communicate judgments and treatment information effectively.  Students must be able to understand and speak the English language at a level consistent with competent professional practice.

4.         the ability to record the physical examination results and a treatment plan clearly and accurately.

5.         the capacity to maintain composure and continue to function well during periods of high stress.

6.         the perseverance, diligence and commitment to complete the athletic training education program as outlined and sequenced.

7.         flexibility and the ability to adjust to changing situation and uncertainty in clinical situation.

8.         affective skills and appropriate  demeanor and rapport that relate to professional education and quality patient care.

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Candidates for selection to the athletic training educational program will be required to verify they understand and meet these technical standards or that they believe that, with certain accommodations, they can meet the standards.

The Northern Michigan University along with the NMU ADA Coordinator will evaluate a student with a disability who states he/she could meet the program’s technical standards with accommodation and confirm that the stated condition qualities as a disability under applicable laws.

If a student states he/she can meet the technical standards with accommodation, then the University will determine whether it agrees that the student can meet the technical standards with reasonable accommodation; this includes a review a whether the accommodations requested are appropriate and reasonable, taking into account whether accommodation would jeopardize clinician/patient safety, or the educational process of the student or the institution, including all coursework, clinical experiences and internships deemed essential to graduation.

The Department of Health, Physical Education and Recreation reserves the right to determine the method of selecting students admitted.  The faculty reserves the right to withdraw any student whose health, conduct, scholastic standing, or clinical or practicum performance is such that it is inadvisable for the student to remain in the Athletic Training program.  Each student is responsible for reading the Northern Michigan University Undergraduate Bulletin and the Student Athletic Training Handbook, and seeking consultation with the Athletic Training Program Director as specific questions arise.

Records and applications of all students are reviewed promptly, and students are notified of acceptance or rejection no later than the beginning of the pre-registration period.

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Retention in the Athletic Training Sequence

1.         Maintain a minimum of 2.5 GPA.

2.         Successfully complete an Athletic Training (ATR) course on the first or second attempt (i.e., student may repeat an athletic training course only once).

3.         Complete all courses in the major with a minimum of "C", except courses with the ATR prefix must finish with  a "B-".

4.         Adhere to the University Student Code.

5.         Demonstrate a pattern of safe clinical practice commensurate with their educational experiences.

Students who withdraw from the program and wish to re-enter must follow the same application and admission procedures as all pre-athletic training students.

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Transfer Admission Guidelines

Guidelines for Admission to Athletic Training Program
as a Junior or Senior or as a Transfer Student

1.         NMU Freshman and Sophomores who wish to change their major to Athletic Training must follow the same admission
            guidelines as first semester Freshman.

2.         NMU students with Junior or Senior status may be considered for program acceptance upon request, provided they meet the following criteria:

            A.        overall GPA 2.5 or above

            B.         in the process of taking or have completed at least two of the following courses: ATR 100, HL 101, HL 242

            C.         expresses a sincere interest in a career in Athletic Training

            D.        acceptance is based on the number of openings in the program

If the student meets the above criteria they may be admitted into the Athletic Training major under the recommendation of the Athletic Training Program Director.  These candidates must complete the following during their first semester in the program 

3.         Program Application

4.         Submission of Transcripts

5.         Submission of Three Letters of Recommendation

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The interview requirement for these students will be waived.  The student at Junior or Senior status must understand that it will most likely take them another three years to complete the requirements of the Athletic Training program.  Once admitted into the program, the student must meet all retention standards to maintain their status in the Athletic Training Program.

6.         Transfer Students

            A.        Transfer students with Freshman or Sophomore academic status must follow the same admission guidelines as a first semester Freshman.  (See #1)