MAT Clinical and Immersive Experiences
Clinical Experience
Hands-on learning is a crucial component of the MAT program. Each semester, students are assigned to a new clinical experience site where they apply classroom knowledge to real patient care while developing the skills and confidence needed for professional practice.
Students gain hands-on experience in a variety of settings, including colleges and universities of all divisions (NJCAA to DI), high schools, industrial workplaces, performing arts, physician practices, rehabilitation clinics, and other emerging areas of athletic training. During their first year in the program, students will average 20 hours a week with an experienced preceptor (a licensed and certified athletic trainer) who provides mentorship, supervision, and individualized feedback throughout the clinical experience.
Clinical placements are determined by the program during a student's first semester to provide a strong foundation in their clinical skills. In subsequent semesters, student input is incorporated into the placement process to create a well-rounded, individualized educational experience. Students are responsible for providing their own reliable transportation and covering travel expenses associated with their assigned clinical sites.
The list below includes both current and past clinical experience sites.
|
Local High Schools |
|
|---|---|
|
Allendale |
Ionia |
|
Byron Center |
Jenison |
|
Catholic Central |
Kenowa Hills |
|
Comstock Park |
Mona Shores |
|
East Kentwood |
Muskegon |
|
Forest Hills Eastern |
Northview |
|
Forest Hills Northern |
Ottawa Hills |
|
Forest Hills Central |
Reeths-Puffer |
|
Grand Haven |
Rockford |
|
Grand Rapids Christian |
Unity Christian |
|
Grandville |
West Catholic |
|
Hamilton |
West Ottawa |
|
Holland |
Zealand East |
|
Hudsonville |
Zeeland West |
|
Local Colleges/Universities |
|---|
|
Calvin College |
|
Davenport University |
|
Hope College |
|
Grand Rapids Community College |
|
Grand Valley State University |
|
Local Clinics |
|---|
|
Corewell Health |
|
Center for Physical Rehabilitation |
|
Holland Hospital |
|
I'Move |
|
Trinity Health IHA Medical Group |
|
Trinity Health Sports Performance and Rehab |
|
University of Michigan Health-West Hospital |
|
North Ottawa Community Hospital (ED) |
Immersive Experience
During the second year of the MAT program, students complete at least one immersive experience averaging 30-40 hours a week. An immersive experience is designed to allow students to step into the day-to-day role of an athletic trainer, providing continuity of care and experiencing the profession in its entirety.
To maximize flexibility, the second-year curriculum is designed to support immersive learning. Fall semester coursework is delivered fully online, while the winter semester follows a hybrid format, including seven weeks of online instruction. This schedule allows students to pursue immersive experiences locally or across the country with minimal disruption to their coursework. Students who do not pursue a second immersive site will be assigned a clinical experience following the same classroom delivery format.
The MAT faculty partners with students to identify immersive sites that align with their professional interests and career goals. While many established partnerships are available, students are also encouraged to pursue opportunities at other locations. If an appropriate clinical site is identified and a clinical affiliation agreement can be established, the program will work with students to help make these experiences possible. As with clinical experiences, students are responsible for providing their own reliable transportation and covering travel expenses associated with their assigned clinical sites.
The list below highlights both current and past immersive clinical experience sites.
|
College/Universities |
|
|---|---|
|
Alabama State University |
Michigan State University |
|
Aquinas College |
Mississippi State University |
|
Auburn University |
Muskegon Community College |
|
Barton College |
North Carolina State University |
|
Butler University |
Northern Michigan University |
|
Central Michigan University |
Northwestern University |
|
Clemson University |
Oakland University |
|
Coastal Carolina University |
Purdue University |
|
Davenport University |
Rutgers University |
|
Duke University |
University of Alabama (Birmingham) |
|
Eastern Michigan University |
University of Denver |
|
Ferris State University |
University of Connecticut |
|
Georgia Tech University |
University of Maine |
|
Grand Valley State University |
University of Michigan |
|
Hope College |
University of San Diego |
|
Indiana University |
University of South Carolina |
|
Kalamazoo College |
Vanderbilt University |
|
Lawerence University |
Virginia Tech University |
|
Macalester College |
Wayne State University |
|
Mercer University |
Western Michigan University |
|
High Schools |
|
|---|---|
|
Birmingham Groves High School |
Matea High School |
|
Caladonia High School |
Portland High School |
|
Dexter High School |
Reeths-Puffer High School |
|
East Grand Rapids High School |
Sparta High School |
|
Forest Hills Eastern High School |
Sturgis High School |
|
Fruitport High School |
Wayland High School |
|
Henry Ford High School (Gross Point) |
|
Performing Arts |
|---|
|
Disney |
|
Harkness Institute for Dance Medicine |
|
Grand Rapids Ballet |
|
Professional/Elite Athletics |
|
|---|---|
|
Arizona Diamond Backs |
Grand Rapids Football Club |
|
Chicago Cubs Baseball |
IMG Academies |
|
Columbus Cottonmouths |
Kansas City Chiefs |
|
ESPN Wide World of Sports |
LA Dodgers |
|
Evansville Thunderbolts |
LA Loons |
|
Grand Rapids Drive |
Milwaukee Brewers |
|
Grand Rapids Gold |
Muskegon Lumberjacks |
|
Grand Rapids Griffins |
West Michigan White Caps |
|
Clinic/Hospital |
|
|---|---|
|
Agile Physical Therapy |
Henry Ford Health Systems |
|
Agility Physical Therapy |
Holland Hospital |
|
ATI Physical Therapy |
i'Move |
|
Beaumont Hospital |
Inst. of Neuro. Medicine and Rehab |
|
Bellin Health |
Lakeland Regional Hospital |
|
C. Weaver Physical Therapy |
Mercy Health Hospital |
|
Champion Sports Medicine |
Mindful Movement PT |
|
Comprehensive Rehab |
Munson Health |
|
Corewell Health |
NASA Rehab Works |
|
Detroit Medical Center |
Physiotherapy Associates |
|
Dickenson County Hospital |
Superior Physical Therapy (Traverse City) |
|
Excel Rehab, Traverse City |
University of Michigan Health - West |
|
Industrial Sites |
|---|
|
Amazon |
|
Steelcase |
|
Weller Truck Parts |