Western Carolina University
Annual Assessment Report
Spring 2008
College:
Department:
Major
Assessment contact person for major:
I.
Health & Human Sciences
School of Health Sciences
Athletic Training
James Scifers, DScPT, PT, SCS, LAT, ATC
Mission Statement
The mission of the Western Carolina University Athletic Training Education Program is to
provide comprehensive didactic and clinical education to prepare students for a career in
athletic training. The Athletic Training Education Program provides outstanding classroom and
clinical instruction in the prevention, recognition, evaluation, treatment and rehabilitation of
physically active individuals. Students have the opportunity to develop competency and
proficiency in performing skills incorporating analytical problem-solving abilities to assist with
the practice of athletic training.
II.
Methods of Assessment used since the spring 2007 accreditation visit / assessment
report (check all that apply)
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Capstone/Seminar Course Portfolio
Student self-examination
National examination
Locally-developed examination
Exit interview
Senior project
Employer survey (sent in June 2008, awaiting results)
Alumni survey (sent in June 2008, awaiting results)
Program Meetings
Accreditation Site Visit
Accreditation Annual Reports
Please indicate year of NEXT alumni survey: The program has graduated two classes (2007
and 2008), alumni surveys were sent to the class of 2007 in June 2008. We are awaiting the
results of these surveys. Exit interviews have been conducted with both groups prior to their
respective graduations.
III.
Program Goals
Goal
1.
Provide students with a learning environment that offers the student the
cognitive, behavioral, and psychomotor skills necessary for successful entry-level
practice as an athletic trainer. (All ATTR courses, HSCC 150, HSCC 240/241,
HSCC 370, ND 320, PE 425)
Objective 1.1.
Upon completion of the program, the student will
demonstrate the ability to comprehend, apply and evaluate the
clinical information relative to his/her role as an entry-level
athletic trainer. (Assessment tools include evaluations in relevant
courses, Board of Certification Exam results, locally-developed
competency examinations, alumni and employer surveys)
Objective 1.2.
Upon completion of the program, the student will
demonstrate technical proficiency in all skills necessary to fulfill
the role of an entry-level athletic trainer. (Assessment tools
include evaluations in relevant courses, Board of Certification
Exam results, locally-developed competency examinations, alumni
and employer surveys)
Objective 1.3.
Upon completion of the program, the student will
demonstrate personal behaviors consistent with professional and
employment expectations for the entry-level athletic trainer.
(Assessment tools include clinical instructor evaluations alumni
and employer surveys)
Goal
2.
Provide students the ability to apply leadership and decision-making skills
to include ethics, group dynamics, management of human behavior, teambuilding and professional conduct. (ATTR 283, ATTR 284, ATTR 383, ATTR 384,
ATTR 483, ATTR 484, ATTR 410, ATTR 415, HSCC 150, clinical instructor
evaluations, alumni and employer surveys)
Goal
3.
Provide students the ability to understand the administrative functions of
health care managers including, budgets, finance, strategic planning, risk
management, legal environment of health care, principles of supervision, cost
control, and revenue and cost forecasting. (ATTR 410, ATTR 415, HSCC 150)
(Assessment tools include evaluations in relevant courses, alumni and employer
surveys)
Goal
4.
Promote the importance of research and provide the tools for understanding
basic research and evaluation techniques. Students will become proficient in
locating, reading, and interpreting medical literature. Students will develop skill
in planning and conducting research in athletic training, including research
design and statistical analysis. (ATTR 410 and ATTR 415) (Assessment tools
include evaluations in relevant courses, alumni and employer surveys)
Goal
5.
Students will be able to effectively communicate via oral and written
means, including computer presentations and documentation in medical
records. (All ATTR courses) (Assessment tools include evaluations in relevant
courses, alumni and employer surveys.)
IV.
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Assessment Tools
2007 Accreditation Site Visit
Annual Accreditation Reports
Written examinations in courses
Practical examinations in courses
Written, practical and written simulation competency examinations at the conclusion of
each semester in the program after formal admission
Student evaluations of course and faculty effectiveness
Spring 2007 Accreditation Site Visit
Clinical instructor evaluations
Surveys of employers (awaiting results of surveys sent in June 2008)
Exit interviews of seniors (2007 and 2008)
One-year follow-up surveys of graduates (awaiting results of surveys sent in June 2008)
Board of Certification Examination Results
Review of Recommendations of Athletic Training Advisory Board
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V.
Use of Outcomes Assessment
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VI.
Certifying exam results are made available to all faculty members in the program
Results of program meetings, exit interviews, one-year follow-up surveys, and employer
surveys are made available to all program faculty, with program changes implemented
as needed.
Individual instructors will take measures to remedy any deficiencies identified by
certifying exams, course evaluations, exit interviews or employer surveys.
Program faculty will take measures to strengthen the program based on the
recommendations of the 2007 accreditation site visit and the 2008 annual accreditation
reports.
Spring 2007 Assessment Findings
The initial accreditation site visit in 2007 identified only minor areas of concern for the
program. Each of the site visit team’s concerns were easily addressed by program
faculty in the accreditation rejoinder. The program was granted initial accreditation in
July 2007. The 2008 annual report, sent to the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic
Training Education (CAATE) in May 2008 indicated no areas of program deficiency with
regard to accreditation.
The results of the 2007 and 2008 Board of Certification (BOC) Exams are shown below.
Graduating Class
Students
BOC First Time Pass (%)
Total BOC Pass (%)
Class of 2007
12
7 (58%)
11 (92%)
Class of 2008
7 (May Graduates)
5 (71%)
5 (71%)
PROGRAM TOTALS
19
12 (63%)
16 (84%)
VII.
Program Changes
The following changes have been made for the 2007-2008 academic year based on the
program’s initial site visit. The university catalog and the athletic training education
program website have been updated (and continue to be updated) to accurately reflect
program practices. Course syllabi for supporting courses in emergency medical care,
nutrition, pharmacology and exercise physiology are being reviewed and updated to
continue to meet accreditation standards. The number of athletic training faculty has
been increased from 2 full-time positions to 2.5 positions for the 2008-2009 academic
year. This change was accomplished by adding an additional full-time tenure track
position in Athletic Training and losing 50% of the position occupied by Dr. Scifers
when he assumed the role of Associate Dean for the College of Health & Human
Sciences. The program does nave the opportunity to utilize adjunct faculty to teach the
remainder of Dr. Scifers teaching load. Adjuncts will be utilized to teach 5 credits in the
Fall 2008 semester and 2-5 credits in the Spring 2009 semester depending on
enrollment patterns.