Clinical education represents the athletic training students' formal acquisition, practice, and ACI evaluation of the Entry-Level Athletic Training Clinical Proficiencies through classroom, laboratory, and clinical education experiences under the direct supervision of an ACI or a clinical instructor. Formal evaluation of the application and integration of clinical proficiencies are completed by an Approved Clinical Instructor (ACI) and may be in conjunction with additional clinical instructors.

Related to clinical education is field experience, in which students have the opportunity to practice clinical proficiencies under the supervision of a clinical instructor. Clinical education shall occur in a minimum period of two academic years (4 semesters, 6 quarters, or 6 trimesters) and be associated with course credit. Courses shall include academic syllabi that include measurable educational objectives and specific clinical proficiency outcomes that can be documented over time.

Clinical supervision is defined by constant visual and auditory interaction between the student and the approved clinical instructor. This policy is a must and should be maintained in all occasions, without exceptions. Students will not be allowed to work in any sport or facility without direct supervision. Students should arrive early to assist with pre-game treatments and will assist after events when warranted. Students are not allowed to travel with teams unless the ACI or CI is accompanying the student or travel includes current affiliated sites. A Clinical Instructor or an Approved Clinical Instructor must accompany all events in which students are allowed to participate as ATS.

Each ATS will accrue approximately 200 hours each semester. Hours are accrued at each clinical site with the ACI/CI. The ATS should not accumulate more than 20 hours per week except during semester breaks or during the summer. Although the program is proficiency based and does not require “hours” some states have specific clinical hours be accumulated in order to become state licensed. Students are required to log supervised hours.

Purpose of Clinical Education

Instruction of Psychomotor Competencies and Clinical Proficiencies

Affiliated Sites