Date of Award
8-2003
Degree Name
Master of Arts
Department
Human Performance and Health Education
First Advisor
Dr. Michael Miller
Second Advisor
Dr. Donna Ritenour
Third Advisor
Dr. Mary Schutten
Access Setting
Masters Thesis-Campus Only
Abstract
As the impending date draws near for all athletic training education programs (ATEP) to become accredited through the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP), the decision to develop an ATEP must take into consideration any institutional factors that may impede the process of meeting CAAHEP guidelines. The purpose of this study was to identify institutional barriers in obtaining CAAHEP accreditation. Barriers investigated included size of the institution, athletic affiliation, facility and financial barriers, and Carnegie Classification. An on-line survey was sent to 420 program directors and/or head athletic trainers representing randomly selected NCAA Division I, II, III, and NAIA institutions. Seventy-seven subjects participated in the study resulting in a response rate of 18.3%.
An examination of the results indicated that the most prevalent barriers included faculty/staff salaries and inadequate classroom/lab space. A relationship existed between the Carnegie Classification of the institution as well as the athletic affiliation of the institution and the decision not to seek/retain accreditation. It can be concluded that failure to develop an accredited ATEP is determined by institutional commitment to a liberal arts philosophy and the athletic affiliation of the institution.
Recommended Citation
Toonstra, Jenny, "Institutional Barriers in Obtaining CAAHEP Accreditation: A Comparison Study" (2003). Masters Theses. 3452.
https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/masters_theses/3452