The Athletic Training Professional Degree: A Case Study of the Perceptions of Program Stakeholders in a Private College
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Authors
Adeyemi, Justin A.
Issue Date
2018-05
Type
Dissertation
Language
en_US
Keywords
Dissertations, Academic--United States , Education , Education (Higher) , Physical education and training , Private universities and colleges
Alternative Title
Abstract
By 2022, existing undergraduate athletic training programs must offer a master’s degree in order for students to seek entry into the field. As a profession embedded within allied healthcare, this educational reform exists not only to improve student’s educational competencies, but to also improve the standard of care patients receive and better align the profession with peer healthcare professionals. Although recent literature examining stakeholder perceptions related to the degree transition exists, there is a lack of research detailing how this mandate impacts a single institution. The purpose of this study was to understand the perceptions of program stakeholders at one private liberal arts institution as it pertains to the professional degree transition. Semi-structured interviews and focus forums were used to investigate how the change in the professional degree impacts stakeholders personally and professionally. Three athletic training faculty members, four preceptors and ten athletic training students were interviewed. The results of this study indicate that the faculty members and preceptors at this institution believe they are well equipped in terms of support from the administration to offer the professional master’s degree in athletic training. They also indicate the potential of this transition to advance the profession in terms of educational and clinical preparation for students. While both groups indicate a level of uncertainty regarding this change, they believe there will be a level of consistency in how they currently operate as a program. This study also suggests that the stakeholder group impacted by this change the most is athletic training students. Six of the ten students indicated they would pursue careers in alternative healthcare fields, if being faced to consider entry into the field as a graduate student.
Description
Citation
Adeyemi, Justin A., "The Athletic Training Professional Degree: A Case Study of the Perceptions of Program Stakeholders in a Private College," Ed.D. diss., Valdosta State University, May 2018. http://hdl.handle.net/10428/3079.
Publisher
License
This dissertation is protected by the Copyright Laws of the United States (Public Law 94-553, revised in 1976). Consistent with fair use as defined in the Copyright Laws, brief quotations from this material are allowed with proper acknowledgement. Use of the materials for financial gain with the author's expressed written permissions is not allowed.