Thursday, November 07, 2002

WILMINGTON, NC – The Athletic Training Education Program at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington received accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Programs (CAAHEP). This certification is for a three-year period expiring Oct. 31, 2005.



Achieving accreditation is important for our students’ career success, said Dr. Kirk Brown, director of UNCW’s Athletic Training Program, which is housed in the Department of Health, Physical Education and Recreation. Students who complete the program earn a bachelor’s degree in athletic training.

“Starting in 2004, prospective athletic trainers must have graduated from a CAAHEP-accredited program in order to sit for the National Athletic Trainers Association certified board exam,” said Brown. This national certification is a requirement to practice as an athletic trainer, he added. Certified athletic trainers work in a variety of settings including high schools, sports medicine clinics and hospitals as well as with professional sporting teams and in private industry.

UNCW’s Athletic Training Education Program, which began three years ago, is an interdisciplinary program. In addition to preparing students to earn national certification, Brown said graduates obtain the necessary educational background to undertake advanced study leading to careers in other allied health fields such as physical therapy, physician assistant or orthopedic technician.

The CAAHEP is a non-profit organization that accredits education programs that prepare health professionals in 18 different disciplinary areas.

For more information, contact Dr. Brown at 910/962-7184.