Program Overview

Clinical experiences are concurrent with each Athletic Training Practicum course, which span the length of 5 semesters. AT students must be officially enrolled in the GATP, have completed all clinical health and safety requirements, and be registered in the respective practicum course prior to beginning clinical experiences and performing skills on patients. To provide a well-rounded clinical education experience, the GATP has affiliation agreements with area high schools, colleges/universities, professional athletics, outpatient clinics, hospitals, health & wellness centers, and physicians offices. Affiliated sites must meet specified standards and clinical hours can only be accrued at these affiliated sites. Site visits will be performed by program faculty, at minimum, once each academic year. These visits are used to evaluate the site's strengths, weaknesses, and areas of improvement. 

A specific overview of the clinical education plan for each semester is provided below:

    Summer 1: All students are assigned to UTC Sports Medicine during preseason practice. Most in-class sessions for summer courses will be completed by the start of the summer clinical education experience with UTC Sports Medicine. 

    Fall 1: Students will complete two 7-8-week rotations at on- and off-campus sites including Chattanooga-area high schools and UTC Sports Medicine.

    Spring 1: Students will complete two 7-8-week rotations at on- and off-campus sites including Chattanooga-area high schools and UTC, Covenant College, and/or Dalton State University. 

    Fall 2: Students will complete two 7-8 week rotation or one 15 week rotation at on- and off-campus sites. Placements for the second academic year are determined by the Clinical Education Coordinator, with consultation with students, Preceptors, and the GATP Director. These rotations are chosen based on students' clinical setting preferences, professional goals, preferred preceptor characteristics, and mentorship style. Although student & Preceptor requests are considered, it is important to understand that satisfying these preferences comes secondary to satisfying CAATE accreditation standards.

    Spring 2: Students will complete one 7-8 week rotation at on- and off-campus sites followed by one immersive experience of 7-8 weeks at on- and off-campus sites. 

The 2020 Standards for Accreditation of Professional Athletic Training Programs include the addition of at least 1 athletic training immersive clinical experience (Standard 16). "An athletic training immersive clinical experience is a practice-intensive experience that allows the student to experience the totality of care provided by athletic trainers. Students must participate in the day-to-day and week-to-week role of an athletic trainer for a period of time identified by the program (but minimally one continuous four-week period). Programs may include online education during the immersive experiences that does not detract from the nature of an immersive clinical experience."

Our students complete one 7-8 week immersions during their 2nd year - late Spring. The immersive rotation is designed to allow the AT student to be mentored by a Preceptor for approximately 40 hours/week so that they may be fully integrated into daily certified athletic trainer responsibilities. During the Spring immersion, students are allowed to obtain clinical experience anywhere across the Nation, in accordance with accreditation standards and agreements. Over 7-8 weeks, students must not exceed 360 hours. Please keep in mind that during this time, students will have on-line class assignments, but they should not detract from the immersion experience.

Preceptors are not required to have an immersion student. If you prefer to NOT have an immersion student, please let us know!