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ERIC Number: EJ1095949
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2014
Pages: 7
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1947-380X
EISSN: N/A
Characteristics and Program Decisions of Master's-Level Professional Athletic Training Students
Ostrowski, Jennifer Lynn; Iadevaia, Cheree M.
Athletic Training Education Journal, v9 n1 p36-42 Jan-Mar 2014
Context: The number of master's-level professional athletic training programs (MLPATPs) has grown by over 400% in the past 10 years; however, little is known about the characteristics of the students who enroll in these programs or why they select this route to certification. Objective: To describe, by exploring the characteristics of MLPATP students, the profile of students who enroll in MLPATPs, and to aid in recruitment of students by developing a greater understanding of why students select the MLPATP route to athletic training certification. Design: Cross-sectional design involving online survey research. MLPATP directors were asked to forward the survey link to students enrolled in their programs. Participants: Seventy-nine students enrolled in MLPATPs accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training (CAATE). Data Collection and Analysis: Survey data were collected by Formstack.com. Open-ended questions were categorized based on common themes and then coded. Descriptive statistics and nonparametric correlations were calculated. Results: MLPATP students were, on average, 24.7 years old; 68% were women, 85% were Caucasian. Forty-two percent earned their bachelor's degree in exercise/sports science. Nearly 80% of students decided they wanted to be an athletic trainer either prior to or during their undergraduate studies, and students enrolled in their MLPATP an average of 1.2 years after completing their bachelor's degree. The geographical area and an institution's reputation were the primary contributing factors in choosing an MLPATP. Following graduation, 93.5% plan to seek employment using their certified athletic trainer credential. Conclusions: Understanding the characteristics of MLPATP students can help in the recruitment of students for MLPATPs as well as develop a greater understanding of the needs of these students. Additional lines of research would contribute to discussions regarding the future of athletic training education.
National Athletic Trainers' Association. 2952 Stemmons Freeway Suite 200, Dallas, TX 75247. Tel: 214-637-6282; Fax: 214-637-2206; e-mail: ATEdJournal@gmail.com; Web site: http://nataej.org/journal-information.htm
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research; Tests/Questionnaires
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A