by Gloria Diaz
Editorial Director
Recently the Athletic Training Education Program was awarded a five-year accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs.
This news comes as a welcoming omen to students in the Athletic Training Education Program. Under the CAAHEP accreditation, athletic training students qualify for the National Athletic Trainers Association Board of Certification exam.
“The program is very strong,” said Tanesha Atwell, third-year athletic training student. “The program has very strong support coming from the inside and the outside of the program.”
ULV is among 11 universities in California whose athletic training programs have received accreditation. Cal State Fullerton and Azusa Pacific University are two other schools in the area with accredited programs.
A formal athletic training program started in 1989, but was non-accredited. During that time, students had to go into a master’s program to qualify for the exam. It was not until 1997 that the National Athletic Trainers’ Association mandated that all schools with an athletic training program be accredited.
The mandate identified that students graduating after January 1, 2004, from a non-accredited athletic training program were unable to take the certification exam.
“(The accreditation) is great because I could stay and finish my last semester,” said Melissa Sterns, athletic training student. “I won’t have to worry about transferring.”
To be accredited, Marilyn Oliver, director of athletic training education program, along with other members of the athletic training department, was required to submit an application with a narrative report, list all modalities, texts, syllabi and professors available.
“It was an arduous process,” Oliver said. “It was advantageous because it allowed us to add more classes, revamp our curriculum, hire faculty and staff and affiliate with nearby hospitals and clinics.”
Last spring, two CAAHEP site visitors spent two days inspecting the athletic training facilities. Program students, faculty, staff and athletic training alumni were interviewed.
In return, CAAHEP issued citations, which were suggestions in areas that needed change. One suggestion was the need for new and current modalities, such as a diathermy traction units.
“Everything said in the self study was a true reflection of what we do,” said Paul Alvarez, clinical supervisor for athletic training education program.
Oliver said that the administration was supportive in granting the funds to improve on what CAAHEP had suggested. The funding was granted in less than a week and the equipment arrived a week after that, Oliver said.
It was then that the Joint Review Committee on Educational Programs in Athletic Training made the recommendation for accreditation.
“The (joint committee) made sure we were on the right track for accreditation,” Oliver said.
A five-year accreditation is the longest period granted for an initial accreditation.
“It has brought greater visibility,” Oliver said. “We have had a reputation for producing good students and providing quality education. Now that we are on the list of accredited schools, hopefully there will be more students interested in the program.”
“If this is your goal, you want to get to it,” Atwell said. “This program is beyond heights.”
