The Role of Directors of Clinical Education (DCE)
Directors of Clinical Education oversee the planning and implementation of clinical training programs in healthcare settings, ensuring alignment with educational standards and objectives. They collaborate with healthcare facilities to secure clinical placements and monitor the quality of training provided. These professionals also evaluate and support both students and clinical instructors, addressing any issues that arise during clinical rotations. Additionally, they maintain compliance with accreditation requirements and continuously update the curriculum to reflect the latest best practices and innovations in the field.
Co-Directors of Clinical Education
Clinical Education Program
We offer four clinical experiences, Clinical Experiences I, II, III, and IV. We encourage our students to have exposure to patients in a variety of settings to different diagnoses in different geographical locations. Clinical Experience I occurs at the end of the first year of study and serves to integrate the foundational sciences with the patient management courses. Clinical Experiences II and III occur in sequence during the third year after the student has completed all patient management courses and most of the clinical science courses. In the spring of the third year, students complete Clinical Experience IV after all academic courses. Additionally, during Clinical Experience II and III, students gather data from a patient/client, with their informed consent, for a case report. *Note: Please contact the DCE for the dates of future clinical experiences.
Interested in Becoming a Clinical Instructor? Click Here
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Clinical Instructor Requirements:
A minimum of one year of clinical experience as a physical therapist:
- Licensure as a physical therapist in the state in which you practice
- A desire to mentor students
- Effective role model and clinical teacher
We welcome alternate models of clinical supervision, including: two students with one clinical instructor, and one student with two clinical instructors.
Support is available to clinical sites and clinical instructors as follows:
- Establishing and enriching student programs
- Providing educational programs
- Offering support during clinical experiences
Contact either Director of Clinical Education to get started with the clinical education contract process.
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