EIU Media Relations

EIU's Athletic Training Education Program Approved for Reaccreditation

Eastern Illinois University’s Athletic Training Education Program has once again been recognized for its high quality by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education.

The CAATE voted to award continuing accreditation to the program following a comprehensive evaluation, including a self-study and on-site visit.

According to the final report from the CAATE, Eastern’s program “has met all of the nationally recognized standards for entry-level athletic training education that were established with support of the following sponsoring organizations:  the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine and the National Athletic Trainers’ Association Inc.”

Particular strengths of the program as identified by the site visit team include the involvement and support of Dr. Sheila Baker, medical director, and EIU Health Service; the number and diversity of affiliated clinical sites; teamwork/cooperation between the academic athletic training and athletic department athletic training staff members; and the support of Eastern’s upper administration.

“The Athletic Training Education Program developed strong partnerships across campus, as well as with area schools and health care facilities,” said Diane Jackman, dean of EIU’s College of Education and Professional Studies.  “Our faculty, staff and partners spent many long hours preparing for a site visit by two CAATE representatives.  We knew that our athletic training program was very strong and met all of the CAATE standards, and it was wonderful to have that validated by CAATE.”

Eastern’s Athletic Training Education Program was initially accredited in 1994.

Certified athletic trainers are most often the staff members who arrive on the scene first when a sports injury occurs.  They are health care professionals who specialize in preventing, recognizing, managing and rehabilitating injuries that result from physical activity.

As part of a complete health care team, the certified athletic trainer works under the direction of a licensed physician and in cooperation with other health care professionals, athletics administrators, coaches and parents.  Athletic trainers have been recognized by the American Medical Association as an allied health care profession since 1990.

Eastern’s reaccreditation is valid for 10 years, with the next comprehensive review scheduled to occur during the 2021-2022 school year.