Novice to Expert Practice Via Postprofessional Athletic Training Education: A Grounded Theory (Original Research) (Report‪)‬

In recent years, experts in the field of athletic training have completed a comprehensive investigation of the field. Increased attention has been directed toward assessing and improving academic quality in higher education and the educational process for athletic trainers. Most of the attention in the last 10 years has been given to the reform of entry-level professional education. The National Athletic Trainers' Association (NATA) Education Task Force was created to examine athletic training education on the "macro" level. (1) Since 1969, the NATA has provided assistance with curriculum development and has been responsible for approving accredited postprofessional athletic training education programs. (2) In recent years, graduates of professional athletic training programs have been encouraged to continue their development by attending an accredited postprofessional athletic training program. (3) Approximately 6% of the graduates of Commission on Accredited Athletic Training Education (CAATE)-accredited programs further their education by matriculating into an NATA-accredited postprofessional athletic training program. (3) Those responsible for advancing educational endeavors for athletic trainers believe that the future of the profession hinges on the pursuing of advanced degrees in the field of athletic training. (3) In 1997, the Post-Professional Education Council (which was originally called the Graduate Education Committee) was "charged with evaluating and revising the graduate standards and guidelines." (2) In 2002, the committee published Standards and Guidelines for Post-Certification Graduate Athletic Training Education Programs. (2) In this document, the committee stated, "Graduate education is characterized by advanced systematic study and experience--advanced in knowledge, understanding, scholarly competence, inquiry, and discovery." (2) In Section II of this document, the "Principles and Characteristics of Graduate Education" were defined as follows (2,4):