UIW Set to Raise the Bar on Athletic Training Program

Undergraduate Program goes to Master’s Level this Summer

San Antonio – The University of the Incarnate Word (UIW) is taking a major step in enhancing and elevating the degree offering for students in its Athletic Training Education program. After undergoing a successful review by the Commission on Accreditation on Athletic Training Education (CAATE), UIW will raise its Athletic Training program to a master’s level.  CAATE has mandated that all its accredited programs elevate to this level by the year 2022, but UIW has decided to move in that direction now and will have its first entering master’s class this Summer of 2020.

“As the only accredited program in the city, this is an important step not only for athletic trainers in general, but for education of entry-level athletic trainers in San Antonio specifically,” says Dr. Shandra Esparza, associate professor and director of athletic training education. “This will make our students competitive in local, state, national and even international markets.”

Esparza adds that one interesting aspect of the new program will be unique clinical experiences, especially in military settings. This is a growing employment market for athletic trainers, and UIW Master of Science of Athletic Training graduates will be uniquely prepared to take these jobs as well as jobs in traditional athletic training settings.

Current students in the UIW bachelor’s program will be allowed to sit for their board exams and the last of these students will be finished with their course work by the Summer of 2020. In addition, CAATE reapproved the accreditation of the UIW program for the next 10 years which extends to the new master’s program.