Athletic education has been evolving at the speed of light since the 1950s when it started to be formally structured. Lindsey Eberman PhD ATC takes me through what the future outlook of athletic training education may look like and where we can do better in the education and recruitment of future athletic trainers.   

1955 - NATA Committee on Gaining Recognition appointed 

1959 - First athletic training curriculum model approved by NATA
1969 - NATA Professional Education Committee (PEC) and NATA Certification Committee developed (former subcommittees of Committee on Gaining Recognition)
1969 - First undergraduate athletic training curriculums approved by NATA
1970 - First national certification examination administered by NATA Certification Committee
1972 - First graduate athletic training curriculum approved by the NATA
1980 - NATA resolution requiring athletic training curriculum major, or equivalent, approved by NATA Board of Directors
1990 - Athletic training recognized as an allied health profession by American Medical Association (AMA)
1990 - Joint Review Committee on Educational Programs in Athletic Training (JRC-AT) formed
1991 - Essentials and Guidelines for an Accredited Educational Program for the Athletic Trainer17 approved by the AMA Council on Medical Education
1994 - First entry-level athletic training educational programs accredited by AMA Committee on Allied Health Education and Accreditation (CAHEA)
1994 - Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) formed (replaced CAHEA as entry level athletic training education program accreditation agency)

1994 - NATA Education Task Force appointed

1996 - NATA Education Task Force recommendations approved by NATA Board of Directors
1996 -NATA Education Council formed

Delforge. G., et al. The History and Evolution of Athletic Training Education in the United States. Journal of Athletic Training. 1999. 34(1); 53-61.