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Students in the kinesiology department and the university as a whole have everything to gain if a new specialized degree in athletic training is added to TCU’s curriculum. Adding an individually accredited athletic training program would offer students an opportunity to focus on a more specific career path. Students would benefit not only from the tailored programming, but also from the increased value of a specialized degree. The new program would prove the department, college and university care more about student needs than just the bottom line (money). Most importantly it would enhance student marketability. Professionally-focused degrees give students an edge. They provide real-world training and hands-on experience, which are assets in any job market. TCU boosts its undergraduate curriculum every time it offers specialized degrees, particularly in fields where the market demands it. New, innovative professionally-geared undergraduate programs can also serve as a stepping stone to enhance TCU’s graduate school options. Almost all the classes required in the proposed athletic training program are already offered through the kinesiology department, so the university will not have to allocate an exorbitant amount of funding to start it. As we continue to evaluate the curriculum, we should look for other departments where similar programs might be easily formed without straining the university’s financial or personnel resources. The kinesiology department should be commended for putting students first with this program. Other schools should look for ways to follow its example of adopting a specialized degree for the sole benefit of students. |
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TCU Daily Skiff © 2002 |
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