Athletic Training Education Reform

Author

Caroline Hanson, Otterbein UniversityFollow
Joan Rocks Dr., Otterbein University

Date of Award

Summer 8-1-2020

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science in Allied Health, Health Care Administration (MSAH)

First Committee Member

Paul D. Longenecker, RN, MBA, PhD

Advisor

Joan E. Rocks, PhD, ATC, LAT

Second Committee Member

Erica Van Dop, MS, ACE-CPT, ACSM-GEI, TSAC-F

Third Committee Member

Joan E. Rocks, PhD, ATC, LAT

Keywords

Athletic Training, Education Reform, Program Directors, Clinical Education Coordinators, Master’s Degree, Strategic Alliance Degree Statement

Subject Categories

Educational Assessment, Evaluation, and Research | Higher Education | Medical Education | Other Education | Sports Sciences

Abstract

Athletic Training Education Programs are in the midst of major clinical and educational reforms following the release of the Strategic Alliance Degree Statement under the direction of the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE). Athletic Training has historically been a bachelor’s-level entry degree. The new degree standards under CAATE will make the profession a master’s-level entry degree. Limited research exists on how the Strategic Alliance Degree Statement and the transition of the degree will affect the profession of Athletic Training in the short or long term due to the limited number of programs who have already completed the transition. In response to this, a 17 question web-based survey was distributed to Athletic Training Program Directors and Clinical Education Coordinators throughout the state of Ohio to assess their individual and institutional responses to the mandatory program transition and reform efforts. Results of the survey reflected the division of perspectives on the benefits and short-comings of such educational reform. A total of twelve institutions throughout the state of Ohio were represented in the responses. Roughly 56% of the respondents thought the transition would overall benefit the profession while the other 43% regarded it as harmful to the profession, partially on the account of so many programs being eliminated due to the combination of financial costs of the transition and low-enrollment rates. Financial cost was a frequently cited concern in the potential success of the transition, with 24% of respondents estimating costs of $30,000 or more in order to support a transition of bachelor’s programs to master’s entry-level programs.

Recommended Citation

Hanson, Caroline and Rocks, Joan Dr., "Athletic Training Education Reform" (2020). Masters Theses/Capstone Projects. 70.
https://digitalcommons.otterbein.edu/stu_master/70