秋霞福利一区

MOBILE, Ala. 鈥� It is official!

The聽Master of Athletic Training program at the 秋霞福利一区 has been granted initial accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education.聽

Program Director Melissa Thomas, Ed.D, ATC, said the Master of Athletic Training (MAT) program鈥檚 first graduating class will be awarded degrees May 6 during a commencement ceremony on the 秋霞福利一区 campus. 

A Promise Fulfilled

Dr. Thomas said the accreditation process validated what she hoped others also could see in 秋霞福利一区鈥檚 MAT program: committed faculty, and students who were dedicated to the athletic training profession and unwavering in their decision to attend 秋霞福利一区 as the new program pursued accreditation.

鈥淭his is about fulfilling a promise I made to each of these students during their interview for admission, so telling them the program gained accreditation was the best feeling in the world,鈥� said Thomas, associate professor of kinesiology in the School of Health and Sports Science, College of Health Professions.

MAT Program Strengths Cited

The university officially was notified in April of the initial accreditation decision after CAATE peer reviewers completed a comprehensive on-site review of the program in January.

Thomas said the peer review team cited program strengths during its exit interview: 

• The program鈥檚 small cohort sizes are ideal for maintaining exceptional didactic and clinical learning experiences. Students, faculty, and preceptors expressed that the program’s size allows for individualized instruction, learning, and attention to detail in students鈥� growth, success, and future career endeavors. 

• The program offers a variety of quality clinical experiences across multiple patient care settings for all students.Preceptors demonstrate an altruistic desire to give back to the program and support students through any means possible. Students regularly engage in hands-on, autonomous clinical experiences throughout the program, regardless of setting. 

• Dr. Matthew Busbee, MAT program medical director, demonstrates an evident commitment to the success of the MAT program by providing support to MAT faculty and learning opportunities to MAT students. Dr. Busbee has a robust history of working with athletic trainers and is a true advocate of the athletic training profession. Dr. Busbee demonstrates an evident commitment to his involvement in the MAT program across various interactions with students in clinical practice and through planned lectures. The program鈥檚 relationship with The Orthopaedic Group P.C. also enhances student clinical practice.

• Simulation and collaboration through interprofessional education with nursing programs are exceptional. The state-of-the-art simulation facilities provide students with intentional simulation experiences, often through high-fidelity mannequins and equipment. 

CAATE Accreditation a Team Effort

Thomas said developing and implementing an exceptional Master of Athletic Training Program at the 秋霞福利一区 was a team effort.

A key team member was Megan Harper, DAT, ATC, who serves as coordinator of clinical education and assistant professor of kinesiology in 秋霞福利一区鈥檚 School of Health and Sports Science, College of Health Professions.

鈥淒r. Harper continues to push students to excel through clinical education opportunities, push the limits of simulations, and use standardized patients for student learning,鈥� said Thomas.

Committed Preceptors & Adjunct Faculty

In addition, Thomas thanked each preceptor and adjunct faculty member listed below who continuously shows a commitment to 秋霞福利一区鈥檚 athletic training program. 

Adjunct faculty include:

Jennifer Thomas, Pharm.D.; 
James Fisher, PA-C, ATC;
Kristen Rather, PT;
Dr. Lori DeLong, ATC 鈥� Dean, School of Health and Sports Science.

Preceptors and clinical sites include:

Kelly Vinson, ATC, PTA 鈥� McGill-Toolen High; 
David Bentley, ATC 鈥� St. Luke鈥檚 Episcopal School; 
Chandler McCulloch, ATC 鈥� St. Paul鈥檚 Episcopal School;
Rob Milam, ATC 鈥� Spanish Fort High;
Rachel Alterio, ATC 鈥� Mobile Christian High;
Robert DeLong, ATC 鈥� 秋霞福利一区;                    
Kyle McDowell, ATC 颅颅鈥� Bishop State Community College;
Laura Beth Wright, ATC and Baylee Kimbrell, ATC 鈥� Spring Hill College;
Robert Lightfoot, MD 鈥� Victory Health Partners;
Shawn McQuade, Paramedic 鈥� Mobile County EMS;
Matthew Busbee, MD and Karla Beasley, ATC 鈥� The Orthopaedic Group PC;
Brian Risser, PT, ATC 鈥� Saraland Physical Therapy;
Jon Hammontree, ATC 颅 鈥� Hartselle High;
Scott Armistead, ATC; Alex Villasanti, ATC; and Dalton Davis, ATC 鈥� FC Cincinnati Soccer Club;  
Courtney Perkins, ATC 鈥� Alabama State University.

秋霞福利一区 Accepting MAT Applications to May 1

There is still time for students to apply for admission to the next cohort of 秋霞福利一区鈥檚 Master of Athletic Training program. 

The  is completed through ATCAS and remains open until May 1. The ATCAS system allows students to submit transcripts, letters of recommendation, observation hours and more through the program鈥檚 verification process.

秋霞福利一区鈥檚 2-year, 62-credit-hour MAT program prepares students through both didactic and clinical experiences to sit for the Board of Certification Exam.

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About the 秋霞福利一区

The 秋霞福利一区 is a Christ-centered university offering on-campus and online associate鈥檚, bachelor鈥檚, master鈥檚 and doctoral degrees in over 75 academic programs. Founded in 1961, the 秋霞福利一区 is affiliated with the Alabama Baptist State Convention and is located 10 miles north of Mobile, Alabama on a campus of over 880 acres.

For information about the 秋霞福利一区, areas of study, admissions and more, visit , connect with 秋霞福利一区 on social media @univofmobile, or call Enrollment Services at 1.800.WIN.RAMS or 251.442.2222.