Clinical Education
Students involved in the UM-MSAT will gain clinical knowledge and experience through a broad spectrum of opportunities that include both traditional and non-traditional settings throughout the course of the 2-year program.
These clinical experiences will allow the UM-MSAT students the opportunity to apply what has been learned in the classroom to patient care while working under the supervision of an approved healthcare provider. Refer to the MSAT Student Handbook for more information on clinical experiences.
Clinical Experience Expectations
All UM-MSAT students must complete a variety of clinical experiences in accordance with CAATE requirements. These clinical experiences may include exposure to a vast number of settings such as:
- College/university,
- High school,
- Recreational/club sports,
- Military, and
- Industrial settings
The experiences allows students to participate in hands-on style of learning and develop a skill set that that is applicable to all populations regardless of age, skill, socioeconomics or identity. Each setting will deliver the skills and proficiencies to allow students to fully understand the continuum of care defined within the domains of Athletic Training as necessary for an entry-level Certified Athletic Trainer.
Here's how the Clinical Experience works:
- Clinical experiences are assigned by the Clinical Education Coordinator, with input from the Program Director. Clinical experiences are based on the needs and aspirations of each athletic training student.
- Certified and licensed Athletic Trainers or Physicians at an affiliated site will supervise each clinical experience.
- Preceptors trained through the UM-MSAT program will be assigned to each UM-MSAT student.
- All UM-MSAT students will be allowed to perform skills learned within the classroom in real-time situations under the supervision of their designated preceptor. This provides the opportunity for students to take didactic skills and translate them in the clinical setting on patients of all backgrounds.
- In some cases, students may be required to perform skills in a simulation to ensure competency in their ability to perform the skill. Students may also be exposed to learning opportunities supervised by health care provider other than athletic trainers or physicians known as supplemental clinical experiences.
The purpose of clinical experiences for UM-MSAT students is to further observe real-life patient care and engage in their learned skills. The UM-MSAT students may utilize any “down-time” within the clinical setting to further practice clinical skills or other tasks designated by the clinical preceptor as well as discuss learning objectives or other relevant topics with their clinical preceptor or fellow students.
Professional Development
Students become members of the National Athletic Trainers’ Association as well at the Mississippi Athletic Trainers’ Association and actively participate in professional conferences, service activities, and the University of Mississippi Athletic Training Club.