Clinical Education

Professor supervises blood pressure testing practice

Clinical Requirements

The purpose of the Clinical Instruction Plan at the University of Arkansas is to place students in a structured clinical setting where they can develop their athletic training skills under the direct supervision of an athletic training preceptor or physician certified by the Board of Certification for Athletic Trainers (BOC). The goal of the clinical education program is to provide students with the opportunity to put their didactic learning into practice. Students' clinical education experiences include clients/patients:

  • Throughout the lifespan (for example, pediatric, adult, elderly)
  • Of different sexes
  • With different socioeconomic statuses
  • Of varying levels of activity and athletic ability (for example, competitive and recreational, individual and team activities, high- and low-intensity activities)
  • Who participate in nonsport activities (for example, participants in military, industrial, occupational, leisure activities, performing arts)

Additionally, clinical education opportunities are planned so that students gain exposures to a variety of health conditions commonly seen in athletic training practice including patients/clients with the following types of conditions:

  • Emergent, behavioral (mental health), musculoskeletal, neurological, endocrine, dermatological, cardiovascular, respiratory, gastrointestinal, genitourinary, otolaryngological, ophthalmological, dental, environmental conditions

Clinical Placements

During the clinical education experience, students will be rotated through several clinical sites and have experiences with several preceptors. During the clinical education experience, a preceptor who has successfully completed the University of Arkansas Preceptor Training will provide a mentored educational experience to athletic training students.

Year 1
  Semester 1 / Summer 1
 Semester 2 / Fall 1 Semester 3 / Spring 1
Clinical Course ATTR 51303 ATTR 51702 ATTR 53302
Length / Hours Urgent /Emergent = 20-30 hours + ~ 3 week Pre-season (Min 50 Max 150)

15 Weeks Min = 250 Max = 325; 2 students per site

 15 Weeks  Min = 250 Max = 325; 2 students per site
Clinical Care Setting Urgent/Emergent Care with EMS and Pre-Season Clinical UArk Clinic or Secondary School + 1 IPP Block UArk Clinic or Secondary School + 1 IPP Block
Blocks IPP Block: Urgent/ Emergent Conditions IPP Block: Primary Care OR Ortho Clinic IPP Block: Primary Care OR Ortho Clinic

Year 2
  Semester 4 / Summer 2 Semester 5 / Fall 2 Semester 6 / Spring 2
Clinical Course ATTR 54402 ATTR 52503 ATTR 52702
Length / Hours

5-Week Behavioral Health Block (Summer 1) + 4-6 Weeks Immersive Block** (Summer 2); Min = 180 Max = 450

 Full Semester Immersive *** ; Min = 410 Max = 780 15 Weeks; Min = 250 Max = 480
Clinical Care Setting “Choice” based on student goals* + 1 IPP block Based on student goals + identified condition/population needs UArk Clinic or secondary school or emerging setting
Blocks Block: Behavioral Health n/a n/a

* Each immersive clinical site must meet three criteria: 1) identified threshold for patient volume, 2) allow adequate autonomy of the student OR meet a significant student goal for job placement/networking (in the case of some summer opportunities) and 3) allow students to complete assigned projects/products. Students earn the right to identify their choice clinical site by meeting all program benchmarks for adequate program progression (see Program Manual for details).

** The Summer 2 immersive experience must be at least 4 weeks in length with an average of at least 30 hours per week of clinical education experiences. 

*** The Fall 2 immersive experience must be a minimum of 12 weeks in length with an average of at least 30 hours per week of clinical education experiences.

Students in the University of Arkansas M.A.T. are responsible for finding potential Summer 2 immersive clinical education experiences with the assistance of the Clinical Education Coordinator. This means that students can find opportunities in any athletic training setting, anywhere in the U.S., as a clinical site so long as the minimum requirements to become a clinical site and preceptor can be met in reasonable time. In addition, students must have met program specified benchmarks to ensure that they are ready for their immersive clinical education experience.

Students may be expected to complete/participate in supplemental clinical education activities, complete required paperwork outlined in each course syllabus, and successfully pass an OSCE, SP encounters and comprehensive examination.

Clinical Site Opportunities has additional information on established clinical sites for the M.A.T. program.