Distinctions between Athletic Training Education Programs at the Undergraduate and Graduate Levels

Objective: To provide a historical perspective on factors that have shaped the current structure of athletic training education, and to advocate development of a new conceptual framework for a continuum of professional education in athletic training.

Background: Athletic training is a relatively young profession that has undergone significant planned change in education and credentialing to enhance the practitioner knowledge and to promote the credibility of the profession within the healthcare community. However, comparison of the prevailing model for basic and advanced professional education in athletic training to those of other health professions reveals major structural differences. In an effort to promote an integrated approach to the spectrum of athletic training education, and to be consistent with terminology used by other health professions, the term professional education is used to designate entry-level education and the term post-professional education is used to designate post-certification, or advanced, education.

Conclusions: Perceived problems with the current educational structure, along with advocated changes, are presented to clarify issues that will affect the future of the athletic training profession. Although change inevitably generates controversy, a failure to address these issues will almost certainly impede advancement of the profession.