NWU's accredited athletic training program celebrates 20 years

NWU's accredited athletic training program celebrates 20 years

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  • Alumni, staff and current athletic training students at a reception celebrating 20 years of accreditation for the NWU athletic program.
    Alumni, staff and current athletic training students at a reception celebrating 20 years of accreditation for the NWU athletic program.
  • Alumni, staff and current athletic training students at a reception celebrating 20 years of accreditation for the NWU athletic program.
    Alumni, staff and current athletic training students at a reception celebrating 20 years of accreditation for the NWU athletic program.

As Nebraska Wesleyan University celebrates two decades of excellence with its athletic training program, it’s also looking toward the future.

“Celebrating 20 years of outstanding education has been a gratifying experience for everyone who’s contributed the program’s success,” says Samantha Wilson, athletic training program director.  

The Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE) approved NWU’s offering of a new Master of Athletic Training, which will begin in the summer of 2025. The MAT is now required for professional certification as an athletic trainer.

Alumni and current athletic training students recently celebrated both milestones during the men’s and women’s basketball games at Snyder Arena.

NWU head athletic trainer Jason Ensrud says NWU has a proven track record of developing talented clinicians since the program began in the early 2000s.

“I take joy in watching high caliber students gain the experience to become successful young professionals, but also to see them take those skills into the real world and grow into thriving clinicians, community leaders, and create their own legacies.”

NWU is one of four accredited programs in Nebraska and is the only small institution to offer the degree.