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ASU Athletic Training Program Wins Extended Accreditation

October 21, 2010

Angelo State University’s Athletic Training Education Program (ATEP) has been awarded continuing accreditation status by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE).

In a letter to ASU President Joseph C. Rallo, CAATE President Greg Gardner stated, “your program has met all of the nationally recognized standards for entry-level athletic training education.”

As a result, ASU’s program has been accredited for the maximum 10 years and will have its next comprehensive review during the 2019-20 academic year. Dr. Kristi White, associate professor of athletic training, is the ATEP director.

Dr. Doyle Carter, who served as head of the ASU Kinesiology Department from 2006 until this semester, credits White’s efforts for the successful accreditation process.

“It is extremely rare for an Athletic Training Education Program to be found in compliance with all standards,” Carter said. “Most programs have a few issues, but not ours. Because of Dr. White’s efforts and leadership, the quality of our program and the contributions of everyone involved were recognized nationally.”

CAATE standards were established with the support of the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine and the National Athletic Trainers’ Association Inc.

The ASU program began in 2000 and received candidacy status at that time, earning its initial accreditation in 2004 after a three-year process that included a self-study of ASU’s education program, facilities, instructors and clinical sites.

Accreditation is necessary for students graduating in collegiate athletic training programs to take the National Athletic Trainers Association Board of Certification examination and receive their certification to practice.