Athletic Training

Recognized by the American Medical Association (AMA), Athletic Trainers (ATs) are credentialed healthcare professionals who provide injury prevention services, emergency care, clinical diagnosis, therapeutic intervention, and rehabilitation of injuries and medical conditions. Athletic training practice encompasses the prevention, diagnosis, and intervention of emergency, acute and chronic medical conditions.

The mission of the Athletic Training Program (ATP) at Miami University is to prepare educated professional athletic trainers through academic and clinical education in which students develop competency and proficiency of entry-level skills for successful completion of the Board of Certification (BOC) examination and placement within the athletic training profession. We seek to advance highly competent healthcare providers who integrate current evidence, clinical expertise, and patient values in practice.

  • The Master of Athletic Training program (MAT) requires 52 credit hours of coursework (see “Curriculum”). The program provides didactic and clinical experiences over 2 years that lead to eligibility for the Board of Certification (BOC) examination. Courses for the didactic and clinical components of the program must be taken in the sequence outlined. The curriculum is six semesters long, starting in the summer session with an online foundational course.
  • In addition to the formal course requirements, clinical experiences under the direct supervision of an Athletic Trainer (ATC) are required to successfully fulfill the program requirements and to attain competency and proficiency of the required skills.  Assistance is available to all students admitted into the program in finding placements to complete the clinical requirement.
  • Students will complete at least five clinical experiences while enrolled in the MAT program.  Four of the clinical experiences (14+ weeks each) will coincide with the fall and spring semesters, while one immersive clinical experience (4+ weeks) will occur during a non-didactic term (Winter or Summer). Students may choose to complete more than one immersive experience if desired.
  • Our program provides clinical experiences at an array of employment settings.  Students have the opportunity to complete experiences with the Division I athletic teams and club sport athletes at Miami University; the Cincinnati Bengals and Cincinnati Cyclones; FC Cincinnati; Beacon Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine physician practices; and Mercy Health - Orthopedics and Sports Medicine rehabilitation centers.
  • As well, our students complete clinical rotations at a number of area high schools: Talawanda HS, Hamilton HS, Stephen T. Badin HS in Hamilton, Colerain HS, Harrison HS, Cincinnati Christian HS, Ross HS, Mason HS, and Franklin County and Union County high schools in Indiana (partial list).
  • Students will develop skills in prevention, clinical evaluation, immediate care, therapeutic intervention, and administration.
  • Miami University undergraduates also have the opportunity to pursue the Combined 3+2 B.S. + MAT program

Student Learning Outcomes

  1. Students will construct a confident educational foundation of the knowledge necessary in performing the duties of an Athletic Trainer.
  2. Students will employ evidence-based practice in athletic training.
  3. Students will demonstrate competence in the practical skill necessary for performing the duties of an Athletic Trainer.
  4. Students will integrate educational foundation and practical skill in clinical practice.
  5. Students will model the appropriate behavioral and social attitudes necessary in an athletic training practice environment.
  6. Students will develop the competence needed for the care of culturally diverse patients.

Miami University is currently seeking accreditation for their new athletic training program and is not accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE). The institution will be submitting a self-study to begin the accreditation process on July 1, 2024. Submission of the self-study and completion of an onsite review does not guarantee that the program will become accredited. Students who graduate from the program prior to accreditation WILL NOT be eligible to sit for the credentialing examination for athletic trainers and will not be eligible for licensure in most states.

Timeline for Accreditation:

August 15, 2022 = official closing of CAATE-accredited undergraduate athletic training program
September 1, 2022 = submission of CAATE graduate program application
June 12, 2023 = start of first MAT course.
July 1, 2024 = submission of CAATE self study
Fall 2024 = CAATE on site review of MAT program
May 2025 = first MAT cohort graduation

BOC Exam Scores

Institutions are required by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE) to provide data for the three most recently completed exam cycles. For exam cycles 2018-19 through 2020-21, our CAATE-documented three-year aggregate first-time pass rate is 84%. Our three-year aggregate overall (regardless of number of attempts) pass rate is 100%. These percentages are based on the exam cycles below:

2020-21

Number of students graduating from the program who took BOC Exam = 7
Number of students who passed Exam on first attempt = 7 (100%)
Overall number of students who passed Exam regardless of number of attempts = 7 (100%)

2019-20

Number of students graduating from the program who took BOC Exam = 5
Number of students who passed Exam on first attempt = 2 (40%)
Overall number of students who passed Exam regardless of number of attempts = 5 (100%)

2018-19

Number of students graduating from the program who took BOC Exam = 7
Number of students who passed Exam on first attempt = 7 (100%)
Overall number of students who passed Exam regardless of number of attempts = 7 (100%)

Employment/Placement Rates

Institutions are required by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE) to provide the program’s employment/placement rate for the most recent three graduating cohorts within 6 months of graduation.

2020-2021

Number of students who graduated from program = 7
Number of students employed as an Athletic Trainer = 7 (100%)
Number of students not employed due to enrollment in a degree program = 0 (0%)

2019-2020

Number of students who graduated from program = 5
Number of students employed as an Athletic Trainer = 5 (100%)
Number of students not employed due to enrollment in a degree program = 0 (0%)

2018-2019

Number of students who graduated from program = 7
Number of students employed as an Athletic Trainer = 5 (71%)
Number of students not employed due to enrollment in a degree program = 2 (29%)

Retention & Graduation Rates

Institutions are required by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE) to provide the program’s retention and graduation rates for the most recent three academic years. Retention Rate measures the percentage of students who have been admitted to the professional program who return to the institution to continue their studies the following academic year. Graduation Rate measures the progress of students who began their studies as full-time, first-time degree seeking students by showing the percentage of these students who complete their degree within 150% of normal time for completing the program in which they are enrolled.

2020-21

Number of students initially admitted to program = 12
Number of students who returned for their second year in program = 7 (58%)
Number of students who ultimately graduated from program = 7 (58%)

2019-20

Number of students initially admitted to program = 10
Number of students who returned for their second year in program = 5 (50%)
Number of students who ultimately graduated from program = 5 (50%)

2018-19

Number of students initially admitted to program = 12
Number of students who returned for their second year in program = 8 (67%)
Number of students who ultimately graduated from program = 7 (58%)

 

Student Internship Spotlight

Logan Rooney

Logan Rooney ’22 Cincinnati Bengals Athletic Training Intern

“The thing I like the most is the opportunity to experience a unique setting. There are a limited number of NFL teams, so the number of athletic trainers who will get to see this level of sport is limited as well. Being able to see this as an undergraduate student is priceless.”

Carissa Fumarola

Carissa Fumarola ’22 Cincinnati Cyclones Student Athletic Trainer

"I grew up going to Cyclones games so this transition to their medical staff has been very exciting. It's awesome how much freedom I get as a Senior to work on our athletes. It makes me realize how much I have learned over the last 3 years and shows me I'm capable of being on my own."

What Our Students Say

Alex Wold

Alex Wold

Athletic Training major

"I chose to go into athletic training because I love sports, I've been around them my whole life, and love being able to help an athlete get back to achieving their goals after an injury...
 

"At Miami, I have been working with our various intercollegiate teams since my sophomore year and have had a ton of hands on learning and great professional experiences. It's one thing to learn about injuries and special tests in the classroom, but it is even better when you are out at practice seeing the injury that was discussed in class occur right in front of you and the steps that happen after an injury occurs.

"Now as an athletic training student, I haven't exactly had the typical college experience. During the week I not only have class and homework, but practice with a team as well which can sometimes include traveling or weekend games. Although it is a big time commitment and I have more responsibilities than other students, the opportunities and professional experiences I have had are priceless and have put me in a great place to succeed after I graduate in May and start working as a graduate assistant athletic trainer with a brand new D1 football program in Georgia. Just have to pass my certification exam first."

Michelle Perry

Michelle Perry

Athletic Training major

"As someone that came into college with a strong desire to get involved in the medical field and an equally strong passion for sports, athletic training has given me the best of both worlds...

Not only am I gaining hands-on experience with Division-1 athletes, but I’m also learning how to become a medical professional everyday in the training room.

Athletic training is such a unique major because the time spent on the field and in the training room is sometimes far more valuable than anything you can learn in the classroom.

Throughout my time as an athletic training major thus far, I have had the opportunity to work with a variety of Miami University athletic teams in addition to spending a semester at a high school. One of my favorite aspects about my major are the strong relationships that I’ve built with the Certified Athletic Trainers at Miami and the tight-knit group of athletic training students that have become some of my best friends.

 A few more facts about me:

  • President, Miami University Student Athletic Training Association (MUSATA)
  • Newcomer of the Year, 2013, Miami University Athletic Training Education Program
  • Qualifier for the Boston Marathon