UMD News Releases

University of Minnesota Duluth (UMD) Athletic Training Education Program (ATEP) has received accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE), it was announced today by UMD program director Professor William Gear.

Accreditation by CAATE is required before graduates of athletic training programs are allowed to take the Board of Certification exam (which leads to official certification as an athletic trainer). CAATE accreditation standards are established by the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine and the National Athletic Trainers' Association, Inc.

The UMD athletic training program is one of only seven athletic training education programs in Minnesota, and is the only program in the Northeastern Minnesota and Northwestern Wisconsin region. "This national recognition validates the academic successes of our program," said Professor Gear, "Achieving this distinction puts the UMD Athletic Training Education Program in the company of some of the nation's top schools."

The Athletic Training Education Program is one of five academic majors housed in the UMD Department of Health, Physical Education and Recreation. The program is committed to providing students with educational, clinical and professional growth opportunities to prepare them for board certification, entry into the athletic training profession, and graduate education in athletic training and related health professions.

Athletic Training is an allied health care profession dedicated to preventing, recognizing, managing and rehabilitating injuries that result from physical activity. As part of a complete health care team, the certified athletic trainer works under the direction of a licensed physician and in cooperation with other health care professionals, athletics administrators, coaches and parents.