Athletic Training (ATHP)
Program Information
Clinical Instruction Plan
The Athletic Training Education Program at the University of the Incarnate Word requires each student to complete a minimum of 1800 hours of clinical field experience spread out over six semesters. The hour requirement meets the needs established by the guidelines of the National Athletic Trainers Association 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 student is expected to participate in a minimum of 300 hours in each of the five clinical courses and another 300 hours in the internship.
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 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 instructor 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 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 ATEP program uses the athletic training rooms at UIW, Trinity University and high schools of area school districts. The student will also gain field experience by observing and participating with clinical instructors in physical therapy clinics, physician offices and other allied health settings in San Antonio, Texas.
Levels of Students in the Program
Level 0 (Pre-Program Observation) |
Students who have not been accepted to the program are required to have a minimum of 50 hours of observation of a certified athletic trainer. A list of approved certified athletic trainers is on file in the office of the Program Director. |
Level 1 (AT Clinical Experiences I) Level 2 (AT Clinical Experiences II) |
First year ATEP students must complete 300 hours in each of the fall and spring semesters by observation and directed practice under the direction of a certified athletic trainer in the approved setting assigned by the program director. The focus for Level 1 and Level 2 is to expose the student to a variety of upper and lower extremity intensive sports. Each student will be assigned to a one of the groups listed below at the University of the Incarnate Word. The Head Athletic Trainer along with ATEP Director will assign the certified athletic trainer to work with each group. The student will gain experience in pre-, in- and off-season for each of the sports, along with participating in a co-educational setting. Group 1 Volleyball, Syncro Swimming, Tennis, Track and Field Group 2 Softball, Cross Country, Men’s Basketball Group 3 Baseball, Swimming, Women’s BasketballStudents will have a weekly scheduled meeting with an approved clinical instructor (ACI) to examine the learning over time aspect of clinical competencies and proficiencies taught in previous courses. The weekly meeting times are also used to discuss current issues within the clinical assignments and particular injury cases. |
Level 3 (AT Clinical Experiences III)Level 4 (AT Clinical Experiences IV) |
Second year ATEP students must complete
300 hours in each of the fall and spring semesters by observation
and directed practice under the direction of a certified athletic
trainer in the approved setting assigned by the program director. The
focus in Level 3 and Level 4 is to expose the student to contact
sports and introduce the student to the general medicine component
of the program. Each student will be assigned to a one of
the groups listed below at either University of the Incarnate Word
or Trinity University. The Head Athletic Trainer at each
university, along with the ATEP Director will assign the certified
athletic trainer to work with each group. Students
are assigned to a two-semester rotation due to the high risk of
injuries in soccer. The student will be able to practice
skills for the different seasons of the sport (pre-, in- and off-season). This
will allow the student to work with strength and conditioning coaches
to build programs and work on skill specific rehabilitation. Between
the fall and spring seasons, students must complete a one or two
week rotation with one of the programs’ medical directors. The
rotation includes observation in the medical setting (clinic, hospital)
and observation of surgery. Group 2 – Women’s Varsity Soccer Team at UIW Group 3 – Men’s Varsity Soccer Team at Trinity Group 4 – Women’s Varsity Soccer Team at Trinity University Students will have a weekly scheduled meeting with an approved clinical instructor (ACI) to examine the learning over time aspect of clinical competencies and proficiencies taught in previous courses. The weekly meeting times are also used to discuss current issues within the clinical assignments and particular injury cases. |
Level 5 (AT Clinical Experiences V) |
Third year ATEP students must complete 300 hours in the fall semester by observation and directed practice under the direction of a certified athletic trainer in the approved setting assigned by the program director. The focus of Level 5 is to expose the student to equipment intensive sports and have the student complete the general medicine component of the program. Each student will be assigned to a one of the groups listed below to expose the student to football at Trinity University or one of the local high schools. The student will be able to be able to gain experience in pre-, in- and off-season with each sporting team. During the fall semester, students must complete observation in the emergency room of a local hospital, observation of surgery and a observation and directed practice in a physical therapy clinic. Group 1 – Football at Trinity University Group 2 – Football at Alamo Heights High School Group 3 – Football at San Antonio ISD (Schools on File in Office) Students will have a weekly scheduled meeting with an approved clinical instructor (ACI) to examine the learning over time aspect of clinical competencies and proficiencies taught in previous courses. The weekly meeting times are also used to discuss current issues within the clinical assignments and particular injury cases. |
Internship |
In the last semester (normally spring) prior to graduation the ATEP student must complete 300 hours by observation and directed practice under the direction of a certified athletic trainer in a setting not associated with the ATEP. The student is expected to seek out and complete the appropriate paperwork for the internship with the Program Director and/or faculty member. The focus of the internship is the expose the student to an employment type setting to practice their skills under the direction of individuals outside the program. |
Qualification and Enrollment of the Clinical Component of Program
The qualification for placement into the clinical field is admission into the Athletic Training Education Program. To be admitted into the ATEP, the student must: (1) be admitted to the university; (2) complete 50 hours of observation in one of the approved athletic training room settings; (3) complete the ATEP application and include all appropriate paperwork; and (4) have a minimum grade of “C” in ATHP 1310: Introduction of Athletic Training, BIOL 2321: Anatomy and Physiology I and BIOL 2322: Anatomy and Physiology II.
After the student is admitted to the clinical aspect of the Athletic Training Education Program, each semester the program director will assign students to a clinical instructor according to the specific needs of the student determined by prior clinical experiences.
Retention and Progression of Student in Clinical Component of Program
Students must maintain favorable evaluations by clinical instructors, 2.5 grade point average and a minimum of “C” in their athletic training curriculum courses to by retained in clinical coursework. Students must successfully complete all proficiencies and competencies assigned in the clinical courses to be retained and advanced to the next clinical level of the Athletic Training Education Program.
