Kansas State University

Clinical Education Opportunities
Athletic Training Education Program

The Intercollegiate Athletic training rooms, Lafene Health Center, and Manhattan High School are the designated facilities where athletic training students are provided an opportunity to develop their clinical skills in a structured environment. Each semester a specific clinical emphasis is implemented utilizing the facility and sports most likely to enhance development in the clinical skills. The clinical emphasis and sports coverage are:

  • Upper extremity – baseball, football, volleyball, tennis, track (throwers) and cheerleading
  • Lower extremity – football, soccer, cross-country, track and basketball
  • General medical – all sports
  • Equipment intensive – football

Athletic training students are supervised by a certified athletic trainer providing athletic medicine services to these sports including but not limited to the following: practice preparation, practice coverage, game preparation, game coverage, first aid, injury/illness evaluation, follow-up care, therapeutic modalities, rehabilitation and other athletic medical services. Students are evaluated on their clinical skill development and proficiencies through written tests, skill tests and/or oral practical tests.

Clinical Education Requirements

The clinical education experience within the profession of athletic training is an opportunity for students to practice and refine skills and knowledge learned throughout the education process. Therefore, students are required to spend a minimum of 20 hours per week as an athletic training student while enrolled in the ATEP. The intent of the clinical education is to expose students to various components of the athletic training profession (e.g., coaches, athletes, equipment, clinical settings, injury/illness). At no time are the athletic training students expected or required to take the responsibilities of a certified athletic trainer. Clinical rotations vary in settings during the ATEP.

Based on a student’s past experiences and skill level, each student will be assigned to a clinical instructor for supervision. Academic classes should remain the students’ primary responsibility; however, students should make every effort to schedule classes before 1 p.m., allowing for clinical rotations in the afternoon.

Clinical Education Procedure

Pre-Professional Phase (Observational), Freshman
Students are assigned four-week rotations in a variety of sports at Kansas State University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics, under the direct supervision of a certified athletic trainer (ACI). Students must be enrolled in HN 120, Introduction to Athletic Training, and HN 121, Introduction to Athletic Training Lab, as the associated courses.
Professional Phase, Sophomore
Students are assigned two eight-week clinical rotations per semester, some of which may be off campus. Students must be enrolled in HN 583 and 584, Practicum I and II as the associated courses. The students are supervised by an ACI.
Professional Phase, Junior
Students are assigned a year long clinical rotation, some of which may be off campus. Students must be enrolled in HN 585 and 586, Practicum III and IV as the associated courses. The students are supervised by an ACI.
Professional Phase, Senior
Students are assigned a year long clinical rotation, some of which may be off campus. Students must be enrolled in HN 587 and 588, Practicum V and VI as the associated courses. The students are supervised by an ACI. The students will work with the ACI in handling all aspects of healthcare for their sports team.