To maintain appropriate ratios of Athletic Training Students (ATS) to Preceptors for instruction and supervision in the professional program, the number of preprofessional students admitted each year to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Athletic Training Program (UNL ATP) is limited and based on the number of available UNL ATP Preceptors. To ensure quality education for each student, the UNL ATP attempts to keep a 2:1 ATS to preceptor ratio.
The UNL ATP application process is competitive and not everyone who meets the minimum requirements may be offered acceptance into the program. Qualifying preprofessional students who complete the application (Appendix A) and interview process will be informed of the Acceptance Committee’s decision approximately one week following completion of the interview process for all candidates.
The Acceptance Committee’s decision for acceptance will be based on scores earned during the application and interview process. Applicants who meet all of qualifications for admission and earn the highest scores during the interview process will be offered acceptance into the UNL ATP. Scores for acceptance are determined based on the following criteria:
- Overall University/College GPA
- University/College Science Course(s) GPA
- Athletic Training GPA (ATHT 145)
- Interview Scores
- Professionalism Scores (scored by UNL ATP Preceptors)
- Professionalism Scores (scored by ATS)
The scores needed for acceptance and the number of applicants accepted into the UNL ATP vary from year to year. These will be based on the number of qualified applicants making application to the program and the number of preceptors available to meet the ATS to Preceptor ratio.
It is the goal of the UNL ATP preprofessional observations to provide a diverse clinical education observation experience for each preprofessional student. Prior to starting clinical education observations, preprofessional students will be required to successfully complete Bloodborne Pathogen (BBP) training as part of ATHT 145-Introduction to Athletic Training.
The clinical education observation assignments are determined by dividing the students alphabetically into the following categories on the campus of UNL:
- Protective Equipment
- Non-Sport Patient Population
- Male Patient Population
- Female Patient Population
- Individual Sport Patient Population
- Team Sport Patient Population
- Conditions other than Ortho
During clinical observations, the preprofessional student will be under the direct supervision of a UNL ATP Preceptor and assigned to a professional student (ATS) who will serve as a mentor to the preprofessional student.