University of Tennessee Athletics
Sports Medicine Internships and Student Opportunities
The University of Tennessee Sports Medicine Department offers multiple positions for undergraduate University of Tennessee students as well as externship positions to students of Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE) athletic training programs.
Participation in the UT Sports Medicine Student Assistant Program is a remarkable educational experience. As a participant of the program, students have opportunities to work directly with staff athletic trainers, physical therapists, physicians, and Division I student athletes. Under staff supervision, the student will learn about everyday operations, medical care, and physical rehabilitation of UT student-athletes. Students in the program have the opportunity to observe injury evaluations and assist in the rehabilitation and treatment of athletic injuries. In addition, students will acquire a variety of skills that will be beneficial in many healthcare fields.
After spending time as a sports medicine student assistant our students typically pursue post-graduate education in athletic training, physical therapy, medicine, and other healthcare professions. Sports medicine student assistants typically major in Kinesiology however applicants from all areas of study are accepted.
The University of Tennessee Sports Medicine Department does not allow “job shadowing” or “observation” opportunities.
SPORTS MEDICINE Student Assistant Program
Who can apply?
- University of Tennessee-Knoxville undergraduate students
- All applicants must have completed at least one full semester at UTK prior to beginning the student assistant program, you may submit an application during your first Fall semester at UTK.
- Applicants must be:
- willing to invest time and energy to learn about sports medicine.
- committed to assisting staff members in caring for UT student athletes
- able to treat the position as a priority in your academic schedule
- maintain a minimum overall GPA 2.5
Dependent on sport/athletic training room assignment, games and travel:
Level I: 10-12 hours per week
Level II: 15-18 hours per week
Level III: 20 hours per week
Level IV: 25+ hours per week
Will I get paid?
Compensation is awarded to Student Assistants through stipends. Stipends are based on experience, merit and the time needs of your assignment varying on competitive season.
What is the application process?
The following will need to be submitted via email:
- Application: /documents/2025/8/22/Sports_Medicine_Student_Assistant_Application.pdf
- 1 letter of recommendation (e.g. athletic trainer, physical therapist, employer, professor)
- Resume
- Unofficial transcript (first semester freshman must include UT and high school transcript)
Applicants are accepted twice a year, once each semester. Applicants are required to interview with members of the sports medicine staff.
The deadline for applications is October 1st to be considered for a Spring semester position, and March 31st to be considered for a Fall semester position. Please submit all application material to: Nathan Kaminski at nkamins1@utk.edu.
Externships/Clinical Immersions
Externships and Clinical Immersions are an opportunity for entry-level master’s students enrolled in a CAATE accredited athletic training program that require a semester or yearlong experience with an athletic training staff. UT Sports Medicine has multiple extern/immersion positions available; such as Football, Baseball, Women’s Soccer, Men’s Basektball, Women’s Basketball, Cross Country/Track & Field, Swim & Dive, and Volleyball. Externs/Immersion Students are assigned a team and are expected to help the staff athletic trainer with daily operations of the assigned sport and work alongside a multi-disciplinary care team including physical therapists/team physicians.
For more information regarding externships and clinical immersions, please contact Matt McCarthy at matt.mccarthy@utk.edu.
