The HPESS athletic training program is accredited through the Commission on accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). The program was accredited in April of 1999, and ASU currently has the only accredited athletic training program in the state. The Athletic Training program at ASU offers a unique opportunity and numerous challenges for students interested in a career in athletic training. An athletic trainer is a qualified allied health care professional educated and experienced in the management of health care problems associated with participation in sports and other active lifestyle pursuits. The program leads to a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Athletic Training. Students in this undergraduate program are educated in all aspects of the professional practice of a certified athletic trainer (ATE). Through a combination of extensive classroom and clinical experience in athletic training, this undergraduate program provides students the necessary competencies to challenge the National Athletic Trainer's Association Board of Certification Examination.
The Master's in Rehabilitation Counseling (MRC) Program at Arkansas State University began in 1968 as a direct result of the expressed need for professionally qualified counselors in state/federal vocational rehabilitation agencies. Today, CORE- Accredited rehabilitation counselor training programs across the country, such as the ASU's MRC Program, prepares students to work in a variety of areas that include: vocational evaluation, substance abuse and personal adjustment counseling, as well as medical case-management, independent living specialists, and other rehabilitation-related areas. The MRC degree is a 48 semester hour program offered within the Department of Psychology and Counseling within the College of Education and is designed to facilitate an integration of theory, skill, and practice. Students are exposed to the academic knowledge and pre-professional practicum and internship experiences that prepare them to function in the student's chosen focus area within the profession of rehabilitation counseling.
The Master of Science in Education (MSE) degrees with a major in Counselor Education-Secondary (secondary school counseling) were first offered in 1962. The MSE degree with a major in Counselor Education-Elementary (elementary school counseling) was added in 1966. The two MSE majors leading to school counseling certification were merged in 1994 to form the current K-12 school counselor training program. The program requires successful completion of 48 hours of specified coursework that is consistent with the training standards set by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Education Programs (CACREP) for counselors, in general, and school counselors, in particular. This program has been accredited by CACREP since the year, 2000 and prepares students to be K-12 school counselors with skills in coordinating school counseling programs, supporting the teaching/learning process, counseling with students, and consulting with persons having significant influences on students’ well-being and development.
The Instructional Specialist Programs in Special Education at Arkansas State University are performance-based programs designed to meet the professional development standards of the Arkansas Department of Education, NCATE and the Council for Exceptional Children. Credentials to Teach Special Education are added to a General Education Teaching License; this is called an endorsement. Persons seeking credentials to teach special education in Arkansas must also be licensed to teach in a regular education classroom. Programs are offered in P-4 and 4-12 Special Education, Emotional Disturbances, and Gifted and Talented, As a performance-based program, the student must demonstrate proficiency in the knowledge, skills, and dispositions in the standards before the Department of Special Education can recommend the student for a licensure endorsement in special education. Performance of these competencies are accomplished by completion of a sequence of courses designed to meet the individual student's areas of deficiency, successful completion of examinations covering course content and demonstration of performance in instructional and clinical situations.