Developing and Standardizing the Academic Curriculum: A Case Study of Athletic Training Education

Abstract

Standardizing and developing a professional curriculum can be a daunting task for any profession. However, standardization of the professional curriculum is imperative to their future growth. The curriculum for professional preparation in any field can vary greatly due to the number of programs and the differences between them in terms of personnel, resources and structure. With these curricula varying in design and resources it creates different types of professionals. Although these professionals have a variety of educational backgrounds they are all considered specialists in that area of study. The purpose of this article is to identify how a profession can develop and standardize their curriculum training through accreditation. This article will use the profession of athletic training as a case study and will discuss the history of athletic training education, the importance of conducting a role delineation study(job task/content analysis), the significance of defined educational competencies, and the role and benefits of accreditation for standardizing curricula. This article will serve as a model for other professions seeking to standardize and define their professional curriculum.