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Program directors' perceptions of undergraduate athletic training student retention
Thomas G Bowman1, Jay Hertel, Stephanie M Mazerolle
1Lynchburg College, VA;
Journal of Athletic Training
|September 27, 2014
Summary
Athletic training program directors perceive retention issues due to a lack of student information and program rigor. Implementing a secondary admissions process may improve athletic training student retention.
Area of Science:
- Sports Medicine
- Higher Education
- Pedagogy
Background:
- Athletic training programs (ATPs) face challenges with student retention, with an 81% national average retention rate.
- Over half of program directors (PDs) identify athletic training student (ATS) retention as a problem, yet the reasons remain unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the reasons why PDs perceive ATS retention as either a problem or not a problem.
Main Methods:
- A qualitative study involving undergraduate ATPs.
- 177 PDs responded to a survey, with 16 selected for follow-up interviews.
- Grounded theory was used to analyze interview data, ensuring trustworthiness through intercoder agreement, member checks, and peer review.
Main Results:
- PDs believe retention is problematic when students lack awareness of athletic training and program demands.
- PDs perceive no retention challenges in ATPs utilizing a secondary admissions process.
- The perception of successful retention is linked to the PDs' personal experience with secondary admissions.
Conclusions:
- ATPs experiencing retention difficulties should consider implementing a secondary admissions process.
- Educating students on the demands of athletic training and the profession is crucial during the preprofessional phase.
