Athletic Training Program Achieves 10-Year Accreditation

RIVERSIDE, Calif. (July 18, 2014)--California Baptist University's athletic training program has received continuing accreditation for 10 years from the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE).

The entry-level master's program in the College of Allied Health, the first of its kind in California, had previously been accredited for five years in 2009 when the first students were preparing to graduate. Ten-year accreditation is the most a program can receive.

The program had to complete a self-study and submit to an accreditation visit to ensure it met the nationally recognized standards, said Dr. Nicole MacDonald, associate professor of kinesiology and program director for the athletic training education program. Those standards include having the right number of faculty and the proper equipment, as well as implementing health and safety procedures. It also must maintain a 70 percent first-time pass rate of the Board of Certification exam for a three-year aggregate. The percentage of CBU graduates passing the exam the past three years ranges from 88.24 percent to 100 percent.

Up to 20 students are accepted each year into the program. They complete a minimum of eight clinical rotations, giving the students experience in high school, collegiate, clinic and general medical environments.

MacDonald said the program is not about personal training or coaching but is more like medical care for the physically active. The 10-year accreditation is the culmination of hard work by both faculty and students.

"I was pretty excited, she said. "We expected it, but we're still working hard. It shows our program is solid. It's a big indicator we are doing the right things."

Graduates of the CBU athletic training program have gone into careers with professional sports teams, olympic sport, universities, high schools and clinics.