Clinical Education

The USF Athletic Training Education Program uses 22 clinical sites and more than 40 clinical instructors at facilities throughout the Tampa Bay Region.

Clinical Education Plan: 

The clinical education component of the USF Athletic Training Education Program is designed to provide “real life” learning experiences for students following classroom and laboratory competence.    The clinical experiences are encompassed within four educational courses totaling 12 credit hours.  Within each course, students are assigned to supervising clinical instructors (CIs) on the campus of the University of South Florida as well as to those working at off-campus affiliated sites. 

 All aspects of the clinical experience emphasize cooperative and collaborative learning among students as well as directed practical applications from a certified athletic trainer. Although all students will have specific required clinical experiences and specific competencies for each clinical course, it is expected that an agreement is formed between the student and clinical instructor at the site, defining specific learning opportunities provided at that facility.

 The criteria used in the placement of students include the qualifications of the clinical instructors, the commitment of the clinical instructors in the administration of teaching, adequate athlete/patient resources for teaching and the presence of up-to-date equipment and resources.  Students are assigned multiple week rotations providing a wide range of upper extremity, lower extremity, general medical conditions, and equipment intensive hours. Students will have opportunities to receive experience in high-risk and low-risk sports, as well as individual and team activities.  Students will also experience athletic practices and competitive events in a variety of men and women's sports.  Most experiences occur in a traditional team setting however opportunities at affiliated sites include, but are not limited to clinical, and professional athletic settings.

 All students are required to successfully complete the four-phase clinical component of the curriculum. Clinical assignments are delineated to facilities providing comprehensive health care services, including but not limited to, practice and game preparation, injury/illness evaluation, first aid and emergency care, follow-up care, rehabilitation and related services.

 The Athletic Training Education Program and Clinical Coordinators decide placement of students with approved clinical instructors.  During the first year of a student's involvement with the program they are assigned to a variety of 7-week rotations, sometimes under the supervision of the same clinical instructor.  During the second year of clinical experience, students will be assigned to a single site for two 7- week rotations or for the length of in-season competition.   The remaining clinical experience time will be in two different 7-week rotations.