The Department of Human Performance Studies in the College of Applied Studies was granted the maximum period of 10 year continuing accreditation to the Athletic Training Program by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE). The university was officially informed of the vote on April 10. Compliance with CAATE accreditation standards facilitates quality outcomes, continuous improvement, innovation and diversity to enhance athletic training education.
The CAATE accreditation standards have recently evolved to require all athletic training degrees to be master’s level. WSU has taken the steps to develop a Master of Science in athletic training (MSAT) in anticipation of the revised standards and guidelines.
The MSAT degree was approved during the fall 2021 semester and will launch in June 2023. It will replace the currently offered undergraduate degree in athletic training—the first year will overlap with the final year of the undergraduate program as it is phased out.
The 62 credit-hour degree plan consists of athletic training education, applied learning clinical experience, research/statistics and board certification. Students will rotate through various clinical settings including college and high school athletics, general and family medicine, physical therapy, industrial and occupational workplace, and emergency care.