Clinical Education

The USF Athletic Training Program uses more than 20 clinical sites and greater than 40 clinical instructors at facilities throughout the Tampa Bay Region.

Clinical Education Plan: 
The clinical education component of the USF Athletic Training Program is designed to provide “real life” learning experiences for students in addition to classroom and laboratory experiences.  Clinical education encompasses within four clinical courses totaling 12 credit hours.  Within each course, students are assigned to supervising preceptors throughout the community. 

 All aspects of the clinical experience emphasize cooperative and collaborative learning among students as well as directed practical applications from a licensed athletic trainer or other healthcare provider. 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 preceptors at the site, defining specific learning opportunities provided at that facility.

The criteria used in the placement of students include the qualifications of the preceptors, the commitment of the preceptors in the administration of teaching, adequate 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 experiences with a variety of patients. Students will have opportunities to receive experience in sport and no-sport settings with varying age groups and abilities.  Clinical education will occur in both historical (athletic) and emerging health care 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 Director and Clinical Education Coordinator decide placement of students with preceptors.  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 preceptor.  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.