The M.S. in athletic training program at South Dakota State University requires completion of five clinical experience blocks and one supplemental clinical experience block over the course of the two-year program. Students will appreciate the diverse array of clinical sites where they can gain these clinical experiences. We offer a multitude of sites including Division I and Division II college athletics, rural and urban high schools, sports medicine clinics, professional and semi-professional athletics, and a variety of additional settings. Our preceptors provide high quality clinical instruction and contemporary athletic training experience, challenging students with authentic and real-world tasks that stimulate their continued growth and development.
Brett Fischer
Preceptor and Physical Therapist and Athletic Trainer
Sanford Health
“In the time I have been teaching Ƶ Athletic Training students, I have had first-hand experience with students that conduct themselves with great professionalism. They come into the clinic well-prepared for each day and motivated to learn. Graduates have had a diverse experience and have attained skills making them well qualified for any setting they enter.”
Ben Heinze
Preceptor and Director of Sports Medicine
Ƶ Athletics
“The Ƶ Athletic Training Program provides students not only an exceptional education, but also an outstanding experience. As Director of Sports Medicine at Ƶ, I have seen first-hand the quality of student that graduates from this program. I am proud that my staff of certified athletic trainers and I are a part of this program as preceptors.”
Brad K. Pfeifle
Preceptor and Vice President of Sports Medicine and Rehabilitative Services
Orthopedic Institute
“I graduated from the Ƶ Athletic Training program in 1986 and my masters in 1988. Since then I have been involved in educating, supervising and employing Athletic Trainers in a variety of professional settings. The past 24 years I have been the Vice President of Sports Medicine and Rehabilitative services at the Orthopedic Institute. During that time, I have been fortunate to work with a large number of Athletic Training students from a variety of programs. The professionalism and clinical skill level of the Ƶ Athletic Trainers is unmatched in comparison. We currently employee 13 Athletic Trainers and 14 Physical Therapists. The majority of those employed at the Orthopedic Institute have been affiliated with the Ƶ Athletic Training program in some way. Over the last 24 years I have personally watched this program develop and turn out some of the profession's best students and will continue to hire students from this program.”