Curriculum

The professional curriculum demonstrates how students will complete the Athletic Training program in six semesters. There is limited flexibility in the course plan. The professional curriculum is completed in sequence and there is no provision for part-time or evening-only enrollment. 

View the full Master of Athletic Training curriculum guide.

Integrated Curriculum

Integrated Curriculum

Our longitudinal, integrated curriculum introduces modules of related and overlapping content and material following a graduate medical education model for demonstrating competency. Core courses are designed to teach students current knowledge and skills required for practice as an entry-level Athletic Trainer (AT). Courses are placed into themed blocks to integrate concepts both within and between each semester. The modular model allows for all related diagnosis and treatment to be learned in the same semester based on body region or system. Core courses occur simultaneously to most clinical experiences for early and frequent opportunities to integrate course knowledge into practice. The curriculum is structured into 6 blocks, each with courses that follow a specific theme.

Block 1 - Foundations of athletic training practice

Block 2 - Lower extremity diagnosis and management

Block 3 - Upper extremity diagnosis and management 

Block 4 - Administration & Leadership in Athletic Training

Block 5 - Advanced Patient Care and Integrated Practice in Athletic Training

Block 6 - Holistic Health Care & Capstone

Sequential Progressive Clinical Experiences

Sequential Progressive Clinical Experiences

Provide a variety of different clinical experiences that begin early in the curriculum. These experiences progress in both length and responsibility over time. The curricular content introduces information in a scaffolding matter to introduce key general knowledge and skills in every semester.  Students are equipped with skills in block one that are needed for the first clinical experience which focus on facilitating students’ thought process and professional identity as healthcare professionals. The curriculum ends with comprehensive care courses which are designed to exposure students to a larger patient load and facilitate clinical decision-making skills through supervised autonomy. 

  • BLOCK 1 - 4-week experience in a physician practice setting with competitive and recreational patients of all ages
  • BLOCK 2 - 3-week risk management experience & two 7-week diagnosis and acute care experiences (with collegiate aged patients and with high school aged patients) 
  • BLOCK 3 - 14-week experience with patients participating in individual and team activities, high- and low-intensity activities
  • BLOCK 4 - 4-week experience in rehabilitative focused setting with competitive and recreational patients of all ages 
  • BLOCK 5: 4-week immersive experience (can be taken in block 5 or 6) & 14-week experience in a setting that aligns with future goals
  • BLOCK 6 - 10- week experience in a setting that aligns with student performance needs 

Practicum

Practicum

A 4-course clinical skills series assessing student competence in select clinical care skills during the autumn and spring semesters. Courses will focus on assessing competence specific to clinical decision making on different topics. The sequence is designed to facilitate students’ ability to actively engage in problem solving, patient centered care, incorporate evidence, and engage in collaborative practice. Each course will be a laboratory-based course utilizing quizzes, Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCE’s), and a responsive case studies to assess clinical skills. Practicum courses allow for multiple modes of feedback to assist students with skill development and promote self-assessment to identify strengths and weaknesses. 

  • Practicum 1 - will assess students’ ability to identify and act professionally in a collaborative healthcare environment
  • Practicum 2 - will assess students’ ability to apply patient centered approach to diagnose, manage, and treating acute and chronic lower extremity conditions 
  • Practicum 3 - will assess students’ ability to apply patient centered approach to diagnose, manage, and treating acute and chronic upper extremity conditions
  • Practicum 4 - will assess students’ ability to work in collaboration with physicians and other health care providers to provide health promotion, prevention, maintenance, patient education, and diagnosis patients as the first point of contact