SBU enters partnership as degree program ends

Southwest Baptist University responded to an accreditation change by partnering with two other schools.

SBU in the fall will begin to offer a bachelor’s degree in sports medicine as it phases out its undergraduate program in athletic training. The Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education recently ruled accredited athletic training programs would move to the graduate level from undergraduate starting in 2022, according to a news release.

Ahead of the changeover date by the CAATE, SBU entered a partnership with Culver-Stockton College in Canton and Truman State University in Kirksville. Through the deal, SBU sports medicine graduates can more easily transition to Culver-Stockton or Truman State for their master’s degrees in athletic training.

“While we are disappointed to see high-quality undergraduate degree programs like SBU disappear, we support the growth and direction of our medical profession and education,” said Jay Hoffman, Culver-Stockton’s chairman of athletic training and health sciences, in the release.

At Culver-Stockton or Truman State, SBU students would work on two years of graduate programs, with hospital and clinical studies in the Canton, Hannibal and Kirksville, Missouri, areas, as well as Quincy, Illinois.

SBU, Culver-Stockton and Truman State are among 51% of Missouri secondary schools offering athletic training, according to the release.

“Our partnerships with both Culver-Stockton College and Truman State University give our students an avenue to a quality educational experience and preparation toward being a well-prepared certified athletic trainer,” said TJ John, department chair and athletic training professor at SBU, in the release.