York University : Success Stories

Welcome to York
Sport therapy program certified:
One of York's best kept secrets is out.

Return to Success Stories

In an attempt to standardize the athletic therapy profession, the Canadian Athletic Therapy Association (CATA), announced that as of September 30, 1999, all students applying for CATA certification upon completion of their undergraduate degree must have attended an accredited post-secondary institution. York University, under the direction of Dr. Frances Flint, Coordinator of York University Sport Therapy Certificate Program (STCP), joins only Winnipeg, Concordia and Sheridan College as one of four institutions in Canada where students can gain such accreditation.
The CATA, a 30 year-old organization originating from the National Athletic Trainer's Association of the US, took over 10 years to establish accredited athletic therapy programs across Canada. As a result of their efforts, the CATA has increased the standards of athletic therapy and gained respect from other professional health care practitioners.
At York, Sport Therapy is a unique, three-year certificate program in the School of Physical Education, with an enrolment of 45 students, giving them the most comprehensive athletic therapy experience in the country.
Dr. Frances Flint, coordinator of the program, expressed the need for continuing education in the field. Graduates of Sport Therapy are encouraged to pursue an MA or PhD as an on-going effort to enhance the athletic therapy industry. There are even tentative plans for a graduate program in athletic therapy at York. The most amazing statistic revealed by Flint was that graduates of the program have a 100% work placement following their education.
"York will help change the outlook of CATA", says Cindy Hughes, head athletic therapist at York and two-time Canadian athletic therapist at the Olympic Games. "Students coming out of here (York) will not be as limited as those in the past. Their high academic achievement and abundant experience places them as graduates at the top of their class. There are countless fields where graduates of sport therapy can continue their education. Students who finish the certificate program often follow related disciplines such as physiotherapy, chiropractors, paramedics, massage therapy, and teacher's college."
Dr. Flint and her staff spent over a year accumulating data, compiling material, and investigating research to produce a comprehensive package to submit to CATA. "This was a total group effort," expressed Flint. "The entire sport therapy staff, as well as our students helped in the process of applying for the accreditation with CATA." Extended support was also given by the University, the Faculty of Arts, Pure & Applied Science, and the School of Physical Education. The official announcement was made at the Annual General Meeting of CATA in May, 1999.
While much of the praise for York's accreditation has been disseminated throughout the School, those close to sport therapy know that it is Flint's vision that should really be credited. Hughes praised Flint for creating an accredited program at York in such a short period of time; "The most amazing fact about Frances is that she put Sport Therapy at York on the map in less than ten years, faster than any other institution." Flint is the president elect of CATA and will take over as president of the organization in May 2000.

Welcome to York		Sport therapy program certified: One of York's best kept secrets is out.
Return to Success Stories		In an attempt to standardize the athletic therapy profession, the Canadian Athletic Therapy Association (CATA), announced that as of September 30, 1999, all students applying for CATA certification upon completion of their undergraduate degree must have attended an accredited post-secondary institution. York University, under the direction of Dr. Frances Flint, Coordinator of York University Sport Therapy Certificate Program (STCP), joins only Winnipeg, Concordia and Sheridan College as one of four institutions in Canada where students can gain such accreditation. The CATA, a 30 year-old organization originating from the National Athletic Trainer's Association of the US, took over 10 years to establish accredited athletic therapy programs across Canada. As a result of their efforts, the CATA has increased the standards of athletic therapy and gained respect from other professional health care practitioners. At York, Sport Therapy is a unique, three-year certificate program in the School of Physical Education, with an enrolment of 45 students, giving them the most comprehensive athletic therapy experience in the country. Dr. Frances Flint, coordinator of the program, expressed the need for continuing education in the field. Graduates of Sport Therapy are encouraged to pursue an MA or PhD as an on-going effort to enhance the athletic therapy industry. There are even tentative plans for a graduate program in athletic therapy at York. The most amazing statistic revealed by Flint was that graduates of the program have a 100% work placement following their education. "York will help change the outlook of CATA", says Cindy Hughes, head athletic therapist at York and two-time Canadian athletic therapist at the Olympic Games. "Students coming out of here (York) will not be as limited as those in the past. Their high academic achievement and abundant experience places them as graduates at the top of their class. There are countless fields where graduates of sport therapy can continue their education. Students who finish the certificate program often follow related disciplines such as physiotherapy, chiropractors, paramedics, massage therapy, and teacher's college." Dr. Flint and her staff spent over a year accumulating data, compiling material, and investigating research to produce a comprehensive package to submit to CATA. "This was a total group effort," expressed Flint. "The entire sport therapy staff, as well as our students helped in the process of applying for the accreditation with CATA." Extended support was also given by the University, the Faculty of Arts, Pure & Applied Science, and the School of Physical Education. The official announcement was made at the Annual General Meeting of CATA in May, 1999. While much of the praise for York's accreditation has been disseminated throughout the School, those close to sport therapy know that it is Flint's vision that should really be credited. Hughes praised Flint for creating an accredited program at York in such a short period of time; "The most amazing fact about Frances is that she put Sport Therapy at York on the map in less than ten years, faster than any other institution." Flint is the president elect of CATA and will take over as president of the organization in May 2000.