Observations and Clinical Education

Athletic Training Observations

Due to requirements of affiliation agreements with external agencies, the following are required for students wanting to complete observations in various healthcare areas:

• Student must either be enrolled in an academic course where observation identified outcomes are expected OR the must enroll in the course "ATHP 1099: Observation" to be allowed to participate in observations in healthcare settings.
• Student must have all required immunizations on file
• Student must have documented proof of current healthcare provider CPR and first aid training.
• Student must have completed occupational bloodborn pathogen and HIPAA/FERPA confidentiality training.
• Student must have have proof of healthcare professional student needle stick insurance coverage.
• Complete criminal background screening

All students placements must be approved by the program director.

Note: Some agencies may require drug screening and/or have additional health requirements prior to participation.

Academic Instruction Plan

The Athletic Training Program has designed an athletic training degree that fulfills the specific needs required by accreditation, but also produces effective athletic trainers for the schools and physically active settings. The program uses the 5th Edition of the NATA's Education Council Competencies and Proficiencies as a guide in curricular and lab development. .

Clinical Instruction Plan

The Athletic Training Program requires each student to complete a minimum of 1200 hours of clinical field experience spread out over four semesters.  The hour requirement meets the needs established by the guidelines of the Board of Certification and the Texas Advisory Board of Athletic Trainers; and provides the student with a foundation of athletic training experiences related to the domains of the profession. 

The clinical experience component is designed to provide the student with a variety of settings for observation and directed practice of the competencies and proficiencies learned in the athletic training curriculum.  Throughout the clinical component of the program, students are expected to observe the certified athletic trainer or healthcare provider and allowed to practice skills in which they have been determined proficient by the athletic training faculty in the didactic portion of the program.  The concept of the program is for the student to be led through their clinical experiences in order to develop a strong foundational knowledge and then to build on that foundation.  The clinical preceptor is key for providing the student with hands on experience and sharing practical information about the athletic training profession.   The student should consider the clinical experience courses as lab time to practice the skills developed in the didactic theory classes. 

Most of the field experiences take place during the observation and directed practice in the athletic training room; during the practice and contest venues.  The program also uses the athletic training rooms within local interscholastic, intercollegiate, and professional facilities in the San Antonio area.  The student will also gain field experience by observing and participating with clinical preceptors in physical therapy clinics, physician offices and other allied health settings in the San Antonio area.