Athletic Training


Athletic TrainingMaster of Science (M.S.)

Applications for Summer 2024 cohort now being accepted

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln Master of Science Degree in Athletic Training (MS in AT) is a professional master’s degree program with a competency-based curriculum offered through the Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences. The program consists of 43 semester credit hours of didactic and supervised experiential learning over a 19-month period (one summer term and four semesters) that prepares graduates for entry-level athletic training positions in various health care settings working with a physically active population. During the last semester of enrollment in the program students will sit for the Board of Certification (BOC) Examination for athletic trainers.

The athletic training program at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education.

OUR MISSION

To prepare students for a multidisciplinary approach to health care with a quality comprehensive classroom and clinical education learning opportunities that promote the application of scientific information to enhance the lives of individuals in culturally diverse communities.

OUR VISION

To develop entry-level athletic trainers and promote lifelong learning through the application of scientific information to enhance the lives of individuals in culturally diverse communities in Nebraska, the United States, and throughout the world.

PROGRAM GOALS
    1. Develop professionalism and ethical decision-making
    2. Establish cultural competence
    3. Embrace multidisciplinary healthcare approach
    4. Analyze and apply evidence-based healthcare
PROGRAM OUTCOMES

Graduates of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Master of Science in Athletic Training program will be able to:

    1. Acknowledge and apply a foundation for making sound ethical and professional decisions that are in the best interest of patients/clients.
    2. Recognize and interpret patients'/clients' needs from different age groups and socioeconomic statuses to provide the most effective healthcare.
    3. Evaluate and apply effective healthcare using a multidisciplinary collaborative approach.
    4. Conceptualize and apply the most current evidence-based research that will lead to developed knowledge and skills for making appropriate clinical decisions.

Program outcomes data are available upon request via the program director:

Dennis Perkey Associate Professor of Practice, Athletic Training Program Director

Program Calendar

Didactic program activities will occur in conjunction with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln academic calendar for each semester and the summer (July) five-week session.

Experiential learning activities (clinical education courses) do not occur during the University of Nebraska-Lincoln regular academic calendar.

Clinical education meeting times are contingent upon the specific schedule of the assigned clinical assignment and occur during regular academic hours as well as nights and weekends.

Clinical Expectations and Anticipated Program Costs 

The UNL MS in AT program participates in clinical education opportunities located on and off the campuses of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln which may include additional transportation costs (i.e., public transit, or access to an automobile). Students are responsible for costs associated with commuting to and from all assigned clinical education sites.

Activities associated with clinical education courses take precedence over employment, elective courses, and social clubs.

To view the UNL MS in AT program's Anticipated Program Costs, visit: go.unl.edu/xcpi.

Program Course Sequence

The UNL MS in AT is a 19-month program (one summer term and four academic semesters). Students will complete 43 semester credit hours and a minimum of 1200 supervised experiential learning hours. During the last semester of enrollment in the program students will become eligible to sit for the Board of Certification (BOC) Examination. The BOC Examination will serve as the comprehensive examination for the degree. Successful completion of the BOC will award a student with the Master of Science Degree in Athletic Training and the professional credential of a Certified Athletic Trainer.

Year 1 – Summer (July Term)

ATHT 800 Introduction to Athletic Training Practices
ATHT 801  Emergency Practices in Athletic Training
                                             Total: 8 Semester Credits

Year 1 – Fall Semester
ATHT 802  Orthopedic Evaluation of Lower Extremity
ATHT 803  Therapeutic Modalities
ATHT 810  Clinical Education in Athletic Training I
                                             Total: 9 Semester Credits

Year 1 – Spring Semester
ATHT 812  Orthopedic Evaluation of Upper Extremity
ATHT 813  Therapeutic Exercise in Athletic Training
ATHT 815  Clinical Education in Athletic Training II
NUTR 805  Research Methods
                                             Total: 12 Semester Credits

Year 2 – Fall Semester
ATHT 817  Health Care Administration in Athletic Training
ATHT 818  Advanced Medical Aspects in Athletic Training
ATHT 820  Clinical Education in Athletic Training III
EDPS 859  Statistical Methods
                                             Total: 10 Semester Credits

Year 2 – Spring Semester
ATHT 822  Current Trends and Professional Performance in Athletic Training
ATHT 825  Clinical Education in Athletic Training IV
                                             Total: 4 Semester Credits

Admission Requirements

Admission to the UNL MS in AT program includes a rolling admission process which is comprised of a five-step application process. Applicants must meet all requirements for UNL Graduate Studies, the Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences, and the UNL MS in AT program.

Acceptance by the University of Nebraska Graduate School does not guarantee acceptance into the UNL MS in AT program.

A maximum of 20 students will be accepted per cohort. New cohorts begin every July.

Specific program admission requirements include:

  • Undergraduate overall grade point average of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale.
  • Students applying to the UNL MS in AT program must complete the following prerequisites prior to enrollment:
      • Bachelor's degree from an accredited university. Preferred but not required bachelor's degrees include: 
        • Exercise Science/Exercise Physiology
        • Public Health
        • Nutrition/Dietetics
        • Kinesiology
        • Biology
        • Chemistry
        • Physics 
  • GRE scores are optional. 
  • The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), taken within the last two years, is required of all applicants for whom English is not their native language. Official scores from the Educational Talent Search (ETS) for the TOEFL must be received for your application to be reviewed. A score of at least 550 (pBT) or 79 (iBT) is required. The University of Nebraska-Lincoln institution code is 6877.
  • Completion of the following required prerequisite course work at the postsecondary level with a grade of C or higher:
    • Biology with Lab (8 credits minimum) 
    • Chemistry with Lab -General Chemistry or higher (4 credits minimum)
    • Physics with Lab -General Physics or higher (4 credits minimum)
    • Psychology (3 credits minimum)
    • Anatomy with Lab (4 credits required, if separate course)
    • Physiology with Lab (4 credits required, if separate course)
      • Anatomy and Physiology may be combined as a single course (8 credits required, if combined)
    • Nutrition (3 credits minimum)
    • Public Health (3 credits minimum)
    • Biomechanics/Kinesiology (3 credits minimum)
    • Exercise Physiology (3 credits minimum) 
    • Statistics (3 credits minimum)

Not all prerequisite courses need to be completed at the time of application. However, completion of all prerequisites with a grade of C or higher will be required before full graduate admission to the UNL MS in AT program will be granted. 

The deadline for completion of all required prerequisite course work is May 31st. 

All required prerequisite course work must have been completed within the last 10 years of submission from the date of application.

Meeting minimum prerequisite requirements does not guarantee acceptance into the UNL MS in AT program. 

  • A minimum of 60 hours of clinical observation under the direct supervision of a Board of Certification (BOC)-credentialed Athletic Trainer (in good standing with the BOC) at the time of observation. 
    • Names of three (3) references with contact information that can speak to the applicant's potential academic success as a graduate student and as a professional healthcare provider.
      • One (1) reference must be provided from the Board of Certification-credentialed Athletic Trainer who provided a minimum of 30 hours of professional observation for the applicant.
      • One (1) reference must be from a faculty member who can speak to the applicant's ability to be successful in graduate school.
      • One (1) reference must be from an additional faculty member or former supervisor of the applicant. 
    • Observation hours must have been obtained within two years prior to application submission date.
  • Applications will require the following documentation: 
    • Completed Applicant Course Prerequisite Checklist: go.unl.edu/7y8c
    • Official transcripts from all academic course work completed at accredited colleges/universities
    • CV/Resume
    • Personal Statement describing professional goals including why you have chosen Athletic Training as a career and why you have chosen the University of Nebraska. 
    • Athletic Training Observation Hours Verification Form: go.unl.edu/ry6g
      • Applicants may upload additional forms if needed.

Application to this program

Applicants are encouraged to complete the application process as early as possible once the application window opens annually on August 1st and closes on April 1st  each year. Completed applications will be reviewed in the order received. 

Applications will be completed through both the Athletic Training Centralized Application Service (ATCAS) and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Graduate School Application ADMIT (CollegeNET). Both applications must be completed prior to review and require separate fees. Acceptance by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Graduate School does not guarantee acceptance into the UNL MS in AT program. 

Application Fees:

  • ATCAS: $93 for the first program you apply for and $55 for each additional program. To access the ATCAS application portal, click here: go.unl.edu/um5o.
    • ATCAS offers a limited number of fee waivers to qualified candidates on a first-come, first serve basis. Visit go.unl.edu/wuae for more information.  
STEP 1

As part of the Athletic Training Centralized Application Service (ATCAS) process, the applicant will also be required to upload the following information:

  1. Routine Physical Examination
    • Must be completed by an appropriate healthcare provider following the date on the Acceptance Letter offer.
  2. Verification of each of the following immunizations: 
    1. MMR (Measles, Mumps, and Rubella)
    2. PPD Test (Tuberculosis Skin Test) 
    3. Hepatitis B Vaccine OR completed waiver
  3. Signed HIPAA/FERPA Confidentiality form
  4. UNL MS in AT Technical Standard for Admission form
STEP 2

UNL Graduate Application for Admission: $25 for applicants currently enrolled at UNL and $50 for applicants not currently enrolled at UNL. Available online at: go.unl.edu/ysj7.

STEP 3

Qualifying applicants will be invited for a web-based (i.e., Zoom) candidate interview. This web-based interview will be evaluated as part of the admissions process.

Applicants who do not qualify for an interview will be notified.

STEP 4

Following the web-based interview candidates offered Provisional Admission Status to the UNL MS in AT program will have 14-days from the date of offer to notify the program director by completing and returning the Provisional Acceptance Letter Offer. After 14 days from the date of offer, the UNL MS in AT will no longer guarantee admission to the program, and the offer will become available to another candidate.

STEP 5

After completing and returning the Provisional Acceptance Letter Offer to the program director, the candidate offered Provisional Admission into the UNL MS in AT program will be required to complete and submit the following Provisional Applicant Paperwork to the program director no later than May 31st to receive Full Graduate Admission into the UNL MS in AT program.

  1. College of Education Criminal History Background Check
    • Results will be sent directly to UNL College of Education. The candidate will not submit this documentation as part of the Provisional Applicant Paperwork. 

Provisional Applicants missing required documentation or who fail to meet program requirements for admission will have their status changed to: Declined Admission.

For application questions or to schedule an on-site campus visit, contact:

Dennis Perkey Associate Professor of Practice, Athletic Training Program Director

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START THE APPLICATION PROCESS AT GRADUATE STUDIES

Degree Requirements

To earn the Master of Science in Athletic Training Degree, each student must:

  • Complete all graduate courses and maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.
  • Complete all supervised experiential learning requirements.
  • Successfully complete the BOC requirement which will award a student with the Master of Science Degree in Athletic Training and the professional credential of a Certified Athletic Trainer.
  • Adhere to the following policies/standards:

The Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences is committed to creating an environment that is welcoming to all;
where each person feels accepted, valued, and safe. To learn more, visit: https://cehs.unl.edu/nhs/nhs-deib/.