Partnership between UC, local employers creates athletic training co-ops

Students will be able to gain paid experience at Beacon Orthopaedics, Mercy Health

The University of Cincinnati and its College of Allied Health Sciences are introducing two new co-op opportunities designed specifically for second-year students in UC’s Master of Science in Athletic Training (MSAT) program.

These immersive, hands-on positions created with local employers Beacon Orthopaedics and Mercy Health are not part of the standard curriculum and are independent of the academic program. They are optional experiences that allow students to build their skills in real-world environments while earning up to $15.50 an hour.

“These positions are designed to complement students’ clinical rotations and give them access to a broad range of professional experiences,” said Jeromy Alt, PhD, associate professor-educator and director of the Master of Science in Athletic Training program. “These roles give them a paycheck while still being a student.”

Co-op participants will get a close-up view of the operations at a health care organization. Students can expect to gain practical skills by engaging in business and administrative operations; marketing, event planning and coordination; front desk and scheduling support; and sports medicine and observational opportunities in clinical and surgical settings.

Building relationships with employers

Jeromy Alt, PhD, associate professor-educator and program director for Master of Science in Athletic Training

“Whether you’re drawn to the clinical, educational or administrative side of athletic training, these co-ops provide a behind-the-scenes look and a chance to build connections with potential future employers,” said Alt.

Along with many others within the university, these co-ops serve a larger purpose: strengthening relationships between UC and regional employers who are eager to train and retain top talent.

“Employers like Beacon Orthopaedics and Mercy Health are investing in student development,” said Alt. “They’re building relationships now, which benefits both the students and the Greater Cincinnati health care community.”

As a UC graduate himself, Beacon’s Michael Slemons, director of sports medicine outreach, is especially excited to reshape the landscape. “We look forward to welcoming UC students and supporting their growth as the next generation of leaders in athletic training. We also see this as an opportunity to leverage student insight and energy to help us innovate and improve the way we deliver sports medicine services across our organization.”

"Mercy Health’s collaboration with the University of Cincinnati is invaluable,” said Katie Hamberg, manager of sports medicine partnerships, community education and programming for Mercy Health. “It provides us with a fantastic opportunity to offer real-world learning experiences to athletic training students, preparing them for successful careers while further strengthening our ties within the community."

Co-op at UC

8,300 students from disciplines across the university participate (2023-24)
$88.8 million in collective self-reported earnings (2023-24)
$10,700 earned on average per student per semester (2023-24)
18% increase in wages from the last reported co-op data
1,800+ employer partners participate in co-op

How and when to apply

Faculty in the athletic training program are mindful of students’ demanding schedules — MSAT students are already completing 40 to 50 hours of clinical experience each week. So, the co-op roles were designed with flexibility in mind and are structured to fit alongside students’ busy clinical schedules. They are part-time, requiring a time commitment of eight to 20 hours per week during the spring semester. These positions allow students to remain in the Greater Cincinnati area and pursue options aligned with their career goals.

“These co-ops are an extension of what students would be doing after graduation,” said Alt. “We want to give them a head start.”

Applications will open in mid-September via UC’s Handshake app. To be eligible, students must be in their second year of the MSAT program and enrolled in COOP6000.

Employers will review the applicants and conduct interviews before placements are finalized.

Your career is next

Through one of the nation’s most robust co-op programs, UC students don’t just learn about their future — they live it, alternating classroom study with real, career-shaping experience in industries around the world.

Students: Earn while you learn at UC.

Employers: Find your next hire.

Featured image at top: An athletic trainer tends to a soccer player's ankle. Photo/iStock/PeopleImages.