Extracurricular Activities and Employment

The Athletic Training faculty encourages all students to be involved in university events and activities. However, participation in extracurricular activities cannot compromise the academic and clinical education of the ATS. Students interested in pursuing a degree in athletic training must realize the importance of the clinical education and experience portion of this degree program.

An ATS may participate in a varsity sport while in the AT Program, however, it will not be possible to complete the program requirements without the full cooperation of the student-athlete’s coaching staff. If a student-athlete is admitted to the program, no exceptions will be made for course sequencing, nor will exceptions be made for the clinical education requirements. Students will NOT be permitted to participate in more than one varsity sport while enrolled in the AT Program.  In addition, during the non championship season the student-athlete must focus on his/her clinical education and will not be permitted to participate in practices that conflict with the student’s clinical rotations.

The AT Program faculty understands that many college students need to work in order to put themselves through college.  Students are permitted to work either on or off campus or participate in a program such as ROTC in addition to being in the AT Program.  However, students must understand that it is their responsibility to manage their time and schedule work around their clinical obligations.  If a student’s job affects his/her ability to complete the clinical experience portion of the Clinical Education, the student’s grade will be affected.  Students who have a part-time job must complete an approval form each semester (found in the ATS Handbook, Appendix E). 

A student may opt to defer the clinical rotations for a particular course (permissible only in Clinical Education II-V).  However, the rotation must be completed during the same academic year and the student will receive an incomplete until the deferred rotation is completed.  A student may not defer rotations in both semesters during an academic year.  Student-athletes may only defer a rotation during their championship season.  On a limited basis, students may be able to complete a rotation during the summer with approval of the clinical site from the Clinical Education Coordinator.  It should be noted that students who defer a rotation might have to attend an additional semester in order to complete the required clinical component of the program.

The AT Program is responsible for selecting, evaluating and training preceptors for all clinical sites.  In addition, a formal Affiliation Agreement must be signed with all clinical sites prior to a student being placed for hands-on experience.  The Clinical Education Coordinator must also physically visit the site at least once a year, so there will be limits as to where a student can be placed for a rotation. 

Therefore, the student is required to initiate the deferral process in the first week of classes by meeting with the course instructor and the Clinical Education Coordinator. A written contract will be developed outlining how the rotation will be made up and must be signed by the student, the instructor, the Clinical Education Coordinator and the Head Coach (if the student is a student-athlete).