Program Description
The Athletic Training Education Program (ATEP) at The University of the Incarnate Word promotes the education of future athletic trainers and the development and improvement of the athletic training profession. An athletic trainer is a qualified allied health care professional educated and experienced in the management of the health care problems associated with exercise and sports participation. In cooperation with physicians and other health care professionals, the athletic trainer functions as a member of the athletic health care team in secondary schools, colleges and universities, professional sports programs, sports medicine clinics, industrial settings, the armed forces, and other athletic health care settings.
Program Vision
The vision of the Athletic Training Program at the University of the Incarnate Word is to provide excellent instruction and clinical experience to produce highly qualified, confident, and successful graduates who serve, educate, and acquire leadership roles in their communities as athletic trainers.
Program Mission
The mission of the athletic training program at the University of the Incarnate Word program is to graduate culturally competent and service-oriented health professionals. The program strives to instill the love of the profession of athletic training through stimulating a sense of discovery and confidence with an in-depth study of the knowledge and skills needed to improve athletic training care within our communities.
The fundamental aspects of the profession are to take care of injured and ill patients across all professional environments, promotion of health, prevention of injuries and conditions, and assess participant's abilities for safe participation in sports and recreational fitness activities. Currently, the profession identifies specific education competencies and professional clinical proficiencies in the following areas:
- Evidence-based practice
- Prevention and health promotion
- Clinical examination and diagnosis
- Acute care of injuries and illnesses
- Therapeutic interventions
- Psychosocial strategies and referral
- Healthcare administration
- Professional development and responsibility
Program Goals
The program strives to meet the tenets of the university's mission: education, service, truth, innovation, and faith. through a multi-faceted didactic and clinical education program, it will produce well rounded allied health professions to meet the needs of the community. With this in mind, the program has identified four outcomes goals for the program.
Upon graduation students are expected to (student outcomes):
Goal 1: Practice independently as athletic trainers.
Goal 2: Demonstrate compassion and care for all healthcare populations utilizing research and cultural sensitivity in a patient-centered approach to generate patient outcomes in treatment, evaluation, and rehabilitation of the physically active.
Annually, the program will: (programmatic outcomes):
Outcome 1: Facilitate educational value outcomes.
Outcome 2: Demonstrate competence in the art and science of teaching.
Program Accreditation
The UIW Athletic Training Education Program currently is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE).