Department of Kinesiology

Athletic training students at LSU participate in six semesters of clinical education. Under the direction of 10 staff and 10 graduate assistant BOC certified athletic trainers, the athletic training student acquires a minimum of 200 hours per semester. Some clinical rotations will require afternoon, evening, and weekend commitments. In addition, student may be asked to report for clinical education prior or following the academic calendar (i.e. preseason and post season). While obtaining clinical experience with both men's and women's collegiate Division I, high school, and recreational athletic teams, each athletic training student will have exposure to upper and lower extremity dominant sports, non-contact and collision sports. In addition, off-campus clinical sites including physician’s offices, hospitals, and sports medicine clinics will be available for clinical experience. Athletic training students gain valuable interpersonal skills while working closely with BOC certified athletic trainers, other healthcare professionals, and nationally recognized coaches. Athletic trainers are one of a number of health professionals that together with our team physicians, nurses, pharmacists and physical therapists make up the LSU sports medicine team. The knowledge and experience gained at LSU prepares students to enter the discipline of athletic training.

General Guidelines for Clinical Education

1. Students are referred to the Appearance & Behavior guidelines within the Pre-Professional & Athletic Training Student Handbook.
   
2. Students are expected to be punctual for clinical assignments.  In the event that you will be late or cannot be present for an assignment, you must notify your clinical supervisor immediately.  Interference with outside employment is not a valid reason for attendance problems in your clinical assignment. Ongoing punctuality problems are grounds for disciplinary action(s).
   
3. Students must work to develop proficiency in their clinical skills.  To this end, clinical proficiency will be regularly evaluated. Students will be provided with copies of all evaluations and will discuss these evaluations with their supervisors to clarify areas that need improvement.  Likewise, students will evaluate their clinical instructors at regular intervals to provide feedback on useful behaviors and behaviors that are not useful.

Specific guidelines for the completion of required clinical proficiencies will be distributed and discussed in KIN 3505 – Athletic Training Practicum. Students must complete all required proficiencies to progress to the next sequence of clinical education.