Athletic Training Celebrates 25th Anniversary of First Grad

Northern Michigan University's athletic training program recently marked 25 years since its first graduate in 2001. From its humble beginnings as a small certification track, athletic training has evolved into a master's degree offered in two formats: as a 3+2 program for students who first earn a bachelor's in sports science from Northern; or as a stand-alone for students who have already completed a bachelor's degree at NMU or elsewhere.

Professor and Associate Dean and Director for the School of Health and Human Performance Julie Rochester has been involved since the program's earliest days. She helped to build it from the ground up while working as a Wildcat athletic trainer in the 1990s.

"Back then, there wasn't a clear academic path; students were piecing together a handful of required courses and 1,500 hours of hands-on clinical experience to qualify for the certification exam. By the mid-1990s, colleagues and I began developing a formal undergraduate curriculum."

The university approved a bachelor's degree in athletic training (AT) in 1998, allowing students to major in the field. The program earned initial accreditation and graduated its first student, current NMU Professor Maggy Moore, in 2001.

The AT field continued to evolve. In 2015, the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE) announced that entry-level education would shift to a master's degree instead of a bachelor's. NMU responded by developing a graduate curriculum and launching its master's in athletic training program in 2019. The first cohort graduated in 2021.

Today, the program emphasizes extensive clinical experience both on and off campus. Students complete three clinical courses and a final immersive internship designed to prepare them for professional work.

During clinical placements, students work in NMU athletic training facilities under certified and licensed athletic trainers. They assist with injury care and prevention, evaluation, first aid, rehabilitation and administrative duties.

"The immersive internship serves as a capstone experience," Rochester said. "Students choose placements across the country in settings that range from high schools and colleges to sports medicine clinics and professional sports organizations."

This year's internships included locations in Green Bay, northwestern Oklahoma, Portland, Ore., and Sarasota, Fla. Rochester said these opportunities reflect the program's focus on real-world preparation and flexibility.

Graduates have gone on to work nationwide in a variety of settings, highlighting strong demand for athletic trainers as the health care and sports industries continue to grow. With its shift to a master's level program and expanded clinical opportunities, NMU's athletic training program continues to adapt to changes in the profession while preparing students for careers across the country.

Prepared by Maggie Anderson and Kristi Evans.