Clinical Education
Pre-professional Practicum Hours
Prior to being admitted to the ATEP, students enrolled in ATEP 291 (spring of sophomore year) complete observation hours in JMU's athletic training rooms. Students complete 9-12 hours per week in each of four three-week rotations. Students are assigned specific rotations for these observations. Students may also opt to volunteer for additional observation hours during the freshman year and fall semester of the sophomore year. Students requesting additional hours are assigned 2-5 hours over a five week period. All students must complete Universal Precautions training prior to starting observation hours. Observation students may only observe; they are not allowed to treat athletes. Additional guidelines for observation hours (e.g. dress code, etc) are given to the students prior to starting the observations.
Professional Phase Practica
Students must be admitted to the Professional Phase of the ATEP in order to participate in Clinical Practicum courses beyond the Pre-Professional Practicum. Students will have completed numerous requirements during the application process (see Application Information), but must repeat/update the following requirements each year. These requirements must remain current while enrolled in the ATEP.
- CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer
- Immunizations
- Universal Precautions Training
- Confidentiality Statement
- Commitment to Excellence statement
In addition, students must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.5 and successfully complete all pre-requisites for each Practicum.
Practicum II-IV Requirements
- Students must complete a minimum of 200 clinical hours per semester (equaling a minimum of 800 total hours over four semesters).
- All Athletic Training Students enrolled in ATEP 392 (Practicum II) as well as students enrolled in ATEP 494 (Practicum IV) who are assigned a clinical experience that includes an August pre-season must report to school early (around August 1 for the juniors). Program orientation takes place for first year professional phase students during this time. Failure to report at the required times results in forfeiture/deferral of your position in the Athletic Training program.
- Athletic Training students complete a variety of clinical rotations which include experiences associated with various populations. These settings will include gender different sports/activities, activities with varying risk levels (i.e. low impact, high impact, contact, etc), sports involving protective equipment (minimum of helmet and shoulder pads), and general medical experiences. Each student’s career goals are taken into consideration when assigning clinical placements.
- Athletic Training students are assigned primarily to clinical instructors working with JMU's intercollegiate teams, but students also have the opportunity for placement at numerous off-campus affiliated sites. These off-campus sites include local high schools, local Division I and III universities, and sports medicine/physical therapy/chiropractic clinics. Public transportation can be used to access some off-campus sites, however, other off-campus clinical assignments may require personal transportation.
- Clinical Practica may also include the following:
- Surgery observations
- Orthopedic rounds
- Competencies and clinical proficiencies are performed and evaluated in the classroom and clinical settings. All competencies and proficiencies pertaining to each clinical level must be mastered in order to successfully complete the Practicum and move to the next level.
