Howard Payne University’s Athletic Training Education Program was recently notified of its successful accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE).

As a result of this achievement, students in the program may now sit for the Athletic Training Board of Certification examination to become certified athletic trainers through the National Athletic Trainer’s Association (NATA). Prior to CAATE accreditation, Howard Payne University students could only meet the requirements for Texas State Licensure. Almost all other states in the U.S. and many countries require NATA certification to practice as an athletic trainer.

According to NATA, athletic trainers are health care professionals who collaborate with physicians to provide preventative services, emergency care, clinical diagnosis, therapeutic intervention and rehabilitation of injuries and medical conditions.

“It has been a long process to develop the degree and obtain CAATE accreditation,” said Mike Terrill, director of HPU’s Athletic Training Education Program (ATEP) and assistant professor of athletic training.

Terrill, previously HPU’s head athletic trainer, transitioned to his faculty role in the fall of 2011 to create ATEP and begin the accreditation-seeking process.

“The university could not have obtained this goal without help and support from the HPU family of administrators, faculty, staff, students and alumni,” he said. “We’re very excited to offer our students this opportunity to become industry-standard certified athletic trainers.”

To learn more about becoming a student in Howard Payne University’s Athletic Training Education Program, contact the Office of Admission at [email protected] or by phone at (325) 649-8020 or (800) 880-4478. More information about the program may also be found at www.hputx.edu/atep.