Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education

Posted on December 9, 2016 by ATtoday

Barbara Long Elected CAATE Comissioner

Article reposted from Augusta Free Press
Author: Augusta Free Press

Dr. Barbara H. Long, an associate professor of health and human sciences and division head of the division of professional studies at Bridgewater College, has been elected to the post of commissioner by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE).

Dr. Long will begin her duties in August 2017, although she will attend the February CAATE meeting as an observer. She will hold the position for at least three years, with a possibility of renewal for up to six years’ service.

Among the duties of the CAATE commission is to develop standards for athletic training accreditation, act on accreditation requests and issues and assure the public that accredited institutions meet minimal quality assurance standards. A spokesman for CAATE noted that Dr. Long’s interest in serving as a commissioner centered on a commitment to transparent dialogue with all stakeholders, and a focus on both current and future needs of the profession of athletic training.

“Being elected as a CAATE commissioner is an honor and allows me to provide a voice for programs, like Bridgewater’s, that are small, yet develop outstanding clinicians in the athletic training profession,” said Dr. Long. “To be selected by the majority of program directors across the country as a Commissioner is humbling and a tribute to the name that Bridgewater College has for being a strong athletic training program.”

Long, who graduated from Bridgewater College in 1988 with a degree in biology, earned her master’s degree in sports medicine and fitness management from the United States Sports Academy and her Ed.D. in organizational leadership from Shenandoah University. She was certified by the Board of Certification as an athletic trainer in 1989 and licensed by the Virginia Board of Medicine as an athletic trainer in 2002.

Bridgewater College is a private, four-year liberal arts college located in the Central Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. Founded in 1880, it was the state’s first private, coeducational college. Today, Bridgewater College is home to nearly 1,900 undergraduate students.

Posted on June 30, 2016 by ATtoday

Bethel Receives 10 Year Accreditation

Article reposted from Bethel University
Author: Lauren Pareigat

The Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE) has completed its site visit and comprehensive review of the athletic training program at Bethel University and has granted the athletic training program 10 years of continuing accreditation.

In their report, the CAATE site visitors listed several strengths of the program, including the commitment of the faculty, staff, and preceptors to the athletic training students’ value-driven education; overwhelming administrative support for the athletic training program that is essential to the growth and continued development of the program; and most importantly, that the mission of Bethel University is fully embraced and exemplified by the faculty, staff, and students.

Mark Merrick, president of CAATE, praised the efforts made in maintaining excellence within the program. “The Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education recognizes the faculty, staff, and administrators at Bethel University for their commitment to the advancement of education in athletic training, as well as your dedication to the preparation of qualified athletic training professionals,” Merrick said.

This level of excellence in Bethel’s athletic training program to prepare students was underscored when every student in this year’s graduating class passed the Board of Certification exam on the first attempt.

Posted on June 17, 2016 by ATtoday

Lenoir-Rhyne University Receives Continuing CAATE Accreditation

Article Reposted from Lenoir Rhyne University
Author: LRUMarketing

The Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE) has granted the Lenoir-Rhyne University Athletic Training Program 10 years of continuing accreditation. LRU offers a comprehensive Master of Science in Athletic Training program designed to integrate clinical and didactic experiences to promote critical thinking, psychomotor skill and collaboration to prepare students to serve as professionals in the field of athletic training.

According to Dr. Michael McGee, Dean of the College of Health Sciences and Program Director of Athletic Training, the continuing accreditation was granted following an 18-month self-study review that examined all aspects of the program including curriculum, experiential learning, teaching methods, supervision as well as student learning and outcomes. It also involved a two and half day on-campus visit by an external review team who interviewed faculty and students and toured learning facilities.

“This continuing accreditation is an indication of the high-quality standards maintained by Lenoir-Rhyne’s Athletic Training Program,” Dr. McGee said. “”The commission found that our program met all of the nationally recognized standards for entry-level athletic training education.”

Dr. McGee added that accreditation is an essential component of the program in that it allows students to apply for the Board of Certification (BOC) Certification Exam for athletic trainers after they graduate.

In a letter to the University, Dr. Mark Merrick, President of CAATE stated, “The Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education recognizes the faculty, staff, and administrators at Lenoir-Rhyne University for their commitment to the advancement of education in Athletic Training, as well as their dedication to the preparation of qualified Athletic Training professionals.”

In accordance with CAATE regulations and to ensure continued compliance, Lenoir-Rhyne is required to submit annual reports regarding its Athletic Training Program to the commission.

Since its initial accreditation in 2011, 36 students have completed the Athletic Training Program at LRU which continues to attract students from across the region. Over the past three years, the LRU Athletic Training Program has maintained a 100% first-time pass rate on the BOC Certification Exam. In addition to the curriculum, the program offers practicum courses through partnering clinical sites to provide students invaluable experience, working alongside professionals in the field.

McGee added, “The successful accreditation review would not have been possible without the efforts of our students and preceptors. A special thank you goes to Dr. Stephanie Stadden, Chair of the School of Health, Exercise and Sport Science and Professor Amanda Hilton for incredible assistance completing the self-study process”.

The Athletic Training Program is offered through the Lenoir-Rhyne’s College of Health Sciences, and is housed in the School of Health, Exercise, and Sport Science. For more information, visit http://www.lr.edu/at.

Posted on June 10, 2016 by ATtoday

Barbara Long Receives CAATE Service Award

Dr. Barbara H. Long, an Associate Professor of Health and Human Sciences and division head of the division of professional studies at Bridgewater College, is one of two recipients of the 2016 Bob and Lynn Caruthers Service Award, which is presented annually by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE).

The national award is presented to those who demonstrate the character and performance traits the Carutherses displayed in their careers, which includes significant and distinguished service to professional and specialized accreditation, and excellence when working directly with constituent institutions.

Additional emphasis is placed on the delivery of accreditation programs and the institutions that house them. CAATE presents this award annually at the National Athletic Trainers’ Association convention.

Long’s service to CAATE began following a site visit at Bridgewater that inspired her to improve upon and contribute to the quality assurance process of accreditation. She has served as a site visitor since 2007 and has fulfilled a variety of roles since 2012. In 2011 she also assisted in developing the substantive change of degree process with the Substantive Change Ad-Hoc Task Force.

Long became a member of the review committee in 2010, fulfilling the role of a review team coordinator from 2011-2013, and was name as the review committee chair in 2013.

“Barbara’s extensive work and dedication to the work of the CAATE over the past nine years is commendable,” said Dr. Paula Maxwell, associate dean of the College of Health and Behavioral Studies at James Madison University, in her nomination letter for Long. “Not many people would be able to keep pace with the amount and quality of work Barbara has completed during this time.”

Last year’s Caruthers Award recipient, Dr. Douglas Gregory of the Lakeview Medical Center in Suffolk, Va., said that Long “has committed countless hours to develop and improve site visit report reviews.”

“During her five years as review committee chair, she has been available to review committee coordinators for discussion and interpretation of CAATE standards,” Gregory continued. “She has reviewed every site visit report during these five years – a remarkable dedication to the CAATE accreditation process.”

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