ATU achieves ARTI accreditation for Athletic Therapy Programme

Atlantic Technological University (ATU) has secured accreditation from Athletic Rehabilitation Therapy Ireland (ARTI) for its BSc (Hons) in Athletic Therapy and Exercise Rehabilitation.

This recognition places ATU among a select group of Irish universities offering programmes that meet ARTI’s professional standards, strengthening allied healthcare provision in the Northwest region.

ARTI is the national governing body for Certified Athletic Therapists, ensuring high standards in the prevention, assessment and rehabilitation of musculoskeletal injuries. Graduates of accredited programmes can sit the ARTI certification exam, a requirement for professional practice in Ireland.

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The programme, based at ATU’s Letterkenny campus, will allow students the opportunity to join a regulated profession that work within an allied healthcare role, ensuring the standard of care is maintained.

Certified Athletic Therapists (CAT) can take positions within national sport governing bodies; GAA/LGFA, League of Ireland, all require CAT to be ARTI members. Sport Ireland employs CAT within their elite athlete structures also.

Graduates will be able to access insurance for the work as ARTI members and will be fully accredited to work at home or abroad through private practices.

Accreditation also opens international opportunities through ARTI’s agreements with the Canadian Athletic Therapists Association (CATA), the Board of Certification in the USA (BOC), and the British Association of Sport Rehabilitators and Trainers (BASRaT) in the UK.

These partnerships allow graduates to pursue careers abroad in regulated environments. ARTI is also a global partner of the World Federation of Athletic Trainers & Therapists (WFATT), which recently hosted its 13th World Congress in Maynooth, attracting over 300 delegates from 11 countries.

Dr Lynn Allen, President of ARTI, said: “I am very pleased to announce that ATU Donegal has successfully achieved ARTI accreditation for its four-year BSc (Hons) programme in Athletic Therapy and Exercise Rehabilitation. This accreditation highlights the growing demand within the allied healthcare sector in Ireland, particularly in the Northwest and recognises the programme’s commitment to equipping students with the highest standards of educational and clinical practice in this internationally recognised profession.”

Ciara Mulrooney, Programme Coordinator at ATU, commented: “This is a fantastic achievement for our programme team and allows us to ensure that we are providing the best course possible to our students while assuring the public that the course meets specific rigorous standards of practice. It recognises the skillset our students have during their time in ATU and the excellence of teaching and practice they receive. Having the accreditation with ARTI opens many more opportunities both nationally and internationally for graduates and will provide a much-needed service in the region.”

Nicola Dunnion, Head of Department of Sport at ATU, added: “This ARTI accreditation is a strong endorsement of the outstanding work of the programme team, whose commitment and professionalism were central to bringing this achievement over the line. It represents another important step in ATU’s strategic commitment to the Northwest/West region through high-quality, professionally accredited provision, strengthening opportunities for our students and graduates and reinforcing ATU’s contribution to regional and national needs.”