Illinois College offers new degree path for athletic training
Illinois College has entered into a new articulation agreement with Culver-Stockton College that will provide a clear path to success for students interested in pursuing a career in athletic training.
As demand for qualified athletic trainers continues to grow, we have been looking at ways to give IC students an advantage in the job market. This plan of study with Culver-Stockton equips graduates with the knowledge, skill and hands-on practice needed to be a successful athletic trainer in any setting.”
The agreement between the two colleges will allow students to study for four years at IC to earn a bachelor’s degree in health sciences, and then complete two additional years at C-SC to earn a master’s degree in athletic training and become a certified athletic trainer.
Benefits of the program for Illinois College students include admission advantages and a seamless transition between schools.
According to Rayyan Yassin, coordinator of health science programs at Illinois College, a recent announcement by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education that all athletic training programs will be required to be at the master’s degree level by 2022 played a role in negotiations.
“With bachelor’s degree programs in athletic training being phased out over the next few years, we wanted to provide our students with a road map to graduate ready for long term success in athletic training,” said Yassin.
Yassin also cites predictions by the U.S. Labor Department that job opportunities in athletic training will grow by 23 percent over the next 10 years — much faster than the average for all occupations — as a motivating factor for the agreement.
“As demand for qualified athletic trainers continues to grow, we have been looking at ways to give IC students an advantage in the job market,” said Yassin. “This plan of study with Culver-Stockton equips graduates with the knowledge, skill and hands-on practice needed to be a successful athletic trainer in any setting.”
Culver-Stockton College is located in Canton, Missouri. The master’s in athletic training at C-SC offers an innovative curriculum with online coursework and face-to-face laboratory, simulation and clinical education to prepare students for careers as committed AT professionals.
Yassin said that IC is also pursuing additional partnerships to offer an accelerated program for students to earn a master’s degree in athletic training in five years. For more information contact Rayyan Yassin at 217.245.3446 or rayyan.yassin@ic.edu.