Abstract
Context The number of master's-level professional athletic training programs (MLPATPs) has grown by over 400% in the past 10 years; however, little is known about the characteristics of the students who enroll in these programs or why they select this route to certification. Objective To describe, by exploring the characteristics of MLPATP students, the profile of students who enroll in MLPATPs, and to aid in recruitment of students by developing a greater understanding of why students select the MLPATP route to athletic training certification. Design Cross-sectional design involving online survey research. MLPATP directors were asked to forward the survey link to students enrolled in their programs. Participants Seventy-nine students enrolled in MLPATPs accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training (CAATE). Data Collection and Analysis Survey data were collected by Formstack.com. Open-ended questions were categorized based on common themes and then coded. Descriptive statistics and nonparametric correlations were calculated. Results MLPATP students were, on average, 24.7 years old; 68% were women, 85% were Caucasian. Forty-two percent earned their bachelor's degree in exercise/sports science. Nearly 80% of students decided they wanted to be an athletic trainer either prior to or during their undergraduate studies, and students enrolled in their MLPATP an average of 1.2 years after completing their bachelor's degree. The geographical area and an institution's reputation were the primary contributing factors in choosing an MLPATP. Following graduation, 93.5% plan to seek employment using their certified athletic trainer credential. Conclusions Understanding the characteristics of MLPATP students can help in the recruitment of students for MLPATPs as well as develop a greater understanding of the needs of these students. Additional lines of research would contribute to discussions regarding the future of athletic training education.
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