University News

Athletic Training Ed Program at Western Receives Continuing Accreditation

June 12, 2006

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MACOMB, IL – The Western Illinois University athletic training education program is one of the oldest in the nation… and considered one of the best.

The WIU athletic training education program received its first recognition in November 1972, and more than 30 years later, in 2006, the program is continuing that recogntition through receiving reaccreditation status by the Commission of Accreditation of Allied Health Education (CAAHEP). The process of maintaining accreditation takes two years to complete. It includes a comprehensive Self-Study Report that is submitted to the accrediting agency prior to an on-site accreditation team visit.

“The entire accreditation process is to assist the program in determining strengths and areas of needed improvement,” explained Renee Polubinsky, director for the athletic training education program at Western. “The accrediting agency provides the program with standards and guidelines with which to measure the program.”

The athletic training education program is currently comprised of 36 students whom are formally admitted students in the pre-professional phase of the program; two Certified Athletic Trainers with full-time faculty positions in kinesiology; and three full-time Certified Athletic Trainers and eight graduate assistant athletic trainers hired through the athletics department.

To graduate with an athletic training major, in addition to completing and passing all coursework, students must complete 800 hours of clinical education experiences.

“The 800 hours of clinical education experiences include athletic training competencies and proficiencies, and can be done with the intercollegiate teams on campus, the local high school, Beu Health Center and with area physicians,” Polubinsky said.

Along with clinical hours, WIU students must also complete a 12-week internship during their final semester before graduation. This internship provides the students with the opportunity to work as an entry-level athletic trainer under the supervision of a Certified Athletic Trainer while preparing for the national board exams.

“After becoming accredited once again, there is a lot on the horizon for the WIU athletic training education program,” Polubinsky said.

The program recently received a grant from the National Athletic TrainersÂ’ Association Committee on Ethnic Diversity for funding recruitment efforts aimed at getting more minority students in the athletic training education program.

For more information on WesternÂ’s athletic training education program, contact Polubinsky at
RL-Polubinsky@wiu.edu or by phone at 309-298-2050.





Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
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