Physical Therapy, Post-Professional (MS)

Students will complete these experiences under the direction of the clinical education coordinator and the assigned clinical preceptors who plan, direct, advise and evaluate the students’ athletic training clinical experience and demonstration of clinical proficiency on a prescribed set of skills and behaviors.

The athletic training students will be integrated into the health care model for University of Pittsburgh athletes that are housed within the four athletic training facilities located on campus.

Affiliation agreements have been established with:

• Carnegie Mellon University
• La Roche University
• Robert Morris University
• Chatham University
• The UPMC Freddie Fu Sports Medicine Center
• The UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex
• Pittsburgh Steelers
• and seven local area high schools.

These clinical placement locations offer a wide variety of practice settings for students to gain practical and hands-on patient care experiences. In the two years of the professional phase of the program, students will have the opportunity to interact with and provide athletic training health care for athletes and physically active patients from a variety of sports and risk levels, varying levels of competition and those from the same and opposite gender to create a diverse and comprehensive clinical experience prior to certification.

Background Checks and Other Clinical Participation Information

This program requires students to complete clinical education experiences at facilities both on and off the University campus and will require criminal background checks, Act 33/34 clearances and perhaps a drug screen prior to participation in clinical education. The results of these requirements may limit and potentially eliminate placement options for the student which can, in turn, result in an inability to meet graduation requirements. Additionally, conviction of a misdemeanor, felony, or felonious or illegal act may prevent the student from becoming credentialed and/or licensed to practice in the field.

Students are required to provide their own transportation to and from the off-campus clinical education sites. All costs incurred as a part of the clinical education experience are the responsibility of the student. Please be advised that some clinical sites are not accessible by public transportation.