New undergraduate degree programs announced
May 20, 2002
KALAMAZOO -- The WMU Board of Trustees approved creation of new programs in athletic training and interdisciplinary health services at its meeting on Friday, May 17.
The Department of Health, Physical Education and Recreation currently offers a minor in athletic training and proposed replacing it with an athletic training professional program. By January 2004, all candidates who wish to complete the National Athletic Trainers Certification Examination must have an undergraduate degree from an institution that offers a major in athletic training and is accredited by the CAAHEP--Commission on the Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs. To obtain the accreditation, the University must offer athletic training as a major or as a professional program.
The new bachelor of arts in athletic training professional program will meet CAAHEP standards and guidelines, while the current minor in athletic training will be phased out. It is estimated that 50 students will apply to the professional program each year.
The new bachelor of science degree in interdisciplinary health services is a spin-off from the current bachelor of science in general university studies with a concentration in health studies. It will focus on core competencies required for all health and human service workers and educate students in communications and counseling, ethical and legal issues, public policy, information processing, research techniques, leadership and group problem solving, health and human service administration and current issues in service delivery.
Students also will gain specialized knowledge by selecting a concentration in diagnostic science, disability services, rehabilitation science, gerontology, alcohol and drug abuse, holistic health, health administration, or health education. The program will prepare students for administrative careers in a wide range of health and human services and for professional health and human services graduate degrees and certificate programs. It is anticipated about 50 students will enroll in the program each year.
Media contact: Mark Schwerin, 269 387-8400, mark.schwerin@wmich.edu