TSU, VUMC Agreement Creates Clinical Training Pathways for HPSS Students

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee State University and Vanderbilt University Medical Center have announced a new articulation agreement to provide TSU Human Performance and Sport Sciences (HPSS) students with direct access to clinical training opportunities at VUMC.

The agreement creates a clear path for students interested in athletic training and other areas of sports medicine and adds to the strong foundation already offered through TSU’s HPSS program.

Dr. Jason Smith

Vanderbilt will host semester-long clinical immersions designed to give athletic training students hands-on experience that prepares them for their careers. TSU students will benefit from specialized advising and guidance to strengthen their preparation for admission into Vanderbilt’s highly competitive program.

Dr. Jason Smith, chair of the HPSS department, emphasized the importance of this new step in advancing student opportunities.

“The professionalism demonstrated by the team at Vanderbilt University Medical Center throughout this process has been exceptional. This agreement enhances the growing legacy of Tennessee State University’s Human Performance and Sport Sciences department, aligning it with the nation’s premier universities and medical centers,” Smith said.

He added that the partnership continues to build momentum for the program.

HPSS students take part in hands-on clinical training.

“The HPSS department has established new pathways to success for our students by creating athletic training agreements with MTSU and now VUMC. We are also proud to see our respected Exercise Science program continue to flourish as we create these partnerships and a legacy.”

Nick Caporale, associate athletic trainer at VUMC, highlighted the valuable learning experience the collaboration will provide.

“This collaborative effort between Tennessee State University and Vanderbilt University Medical Center will provide TSU students interested in athletic training and sports medicine with the opportunity to learn directly from VUMC’s Athletic Training staff on the sidelines of Vanderbilt athletic events,” Caporale said. “Our goal is to build a consistent and collaborative relationship that helps prepare these students to become strong candidates for future master’s degree programs in athletic training.”

The agreement, effective August 1, 2025, enrolls TSU HPSS students in VUMC’s clinical training program with coordinated scheduling and annual reviews to keep both programs aligned.

HPSS students will gain clinical training in sports medicine through a new partnership with VUMC.

“This agreement demonstrates a commitment to collaboration between our institutions and expands opportunities for TSU students interested in the high-demand field of athletic training,” said Dr. Poliala Dickson, HPSS representative.

The TSU HPSS program equips students with a strong academic foundation across concentrations in physical education, health education, exercise science, and sport administration. The department prepares future health educators, exercise science professionals, and sports administrators to lead with knowledge, strategy, and service.

Additionally, students in the program are exposed to community fitness, recreation, corporate wellness, clinical environments, and administrative roles in sports, while also benefiting from professional immersion experiences integrated into the curriculum.

This new agreement with Vanderbilt Medical Center builds upon those existing strengths by offering an additional layer of clinical training that positions TSU students for success in the highly competitive and growing field of sports medicine.

To learn more about the HPSS program, visit www.tnstate.edu/hpss/.