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CANTON, Mo. – �������� and Southwest Baptist University of Bolivar, Mo., have created a partnership to begin in fall of 2019 to enhance opportunities for students who want to become athletic trainers.

Students with a bachelor of science degree from Southwest Baptist’s newly developed sports medicine program can seamlessly matriculate into Culver-Stockton’s Master of Athletic Training (MAT) program. The partnership provides graduates from Southwest Baptist priority consideration upon application.

“Our partnership with �������� gives students an avenue to a quality educational experience towards being a well-prepared certified athletic trainer,” said T.J. John, athletic training professor and department chair at Southwest Baptist.

The partnership demonstrates continued efforts to expand student opportunities and provide a workforce for athletic trainers in Missouri. Only 51 percent of Missouri high schools have access to athletic training services, compared to 79 percent in Iowa and 61 percent in Illinois, according to the Korey Stringer Institute and the Atlas Project.

Both Culver-Stockton and Southwest Baptist are discontinuing their undergraduate degree programs in athletic training as the result of a mandate by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education, which no longer will accredit undergraduate degrees from any college or university starting in 2022.

“While we are disappointed to see high quality undergraduate degree programs disappear, we support the growth and direction of our medical profession and education,” said Jay Hoffman, chairman of the athletic training and health sciences program at Culver-Stockton. “Southwest Baptist has a rich tradition of producing high quality athletic training professionals at the undergraduate level. This partnership will really enrich our program at C-SC.”

Both C-SC and SBU have 100 percent first-time pass-rates on the Board of Certification national exam for athletic trainers.

Students in Culver-Stockton’s Master of Athletic Training program will complete two years of graduate study, including a variety of clinical experiences in both athletic and hospital/clinical settings, that will hone their knowledge and skills within the Canton, Hannibal, and Quincy, Ill., medical communities.

Prospective students can contact Hoffman at jhoffman@culver.edu or 573-288-6534, or John at tjohn@sbuniv.edu or 417-328-1988 for more information. They also can follow program updates at , on Twitter @CulverMAT or on Facebook at .

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