Athletic Training M.S.

Program Overview

College of Natural and Health Sciences

Coordinator: James (Jim) Turk ,M.S.

Email: [e-mail]

Location: Gunter 2590

Telephone: [phone]

Website: www.unco.edu/nhs/sport-exercise-science/

The Master of Science in Athletic Training program is an entry-level professional program that prepares a student for a career as a Certified Athletic Trainer. Athletic Trainers are medical experts in preventing, recognizing, managing, and rehabilitating injuries that result from physical activity. Athletic training is recognized by the American Medical Association as an allied health care profession. This program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE). Upon successful completion of this program, the student will have fulfilled the requirements to take the Athletic Training certification examination administered by the Board of Certification, Inc.

Admission

Location: Greeley

Start Term: Fall

General Master's Degree Admission Requirements

Athletic Training M.S.

Admission Deadline

• Priority Application Deadline: Feb. 1
• Applications received after the priority application deadline will be considered pending program capacity.

Admission Requirements: ATCAS

Submit the following items to the Athletic Training Centralized Application System (ATCAS):

• Application for Admission
• Official transcripts from each college or university attended (including UNC). UNC currently requires a 3.0 minimum grade point average for regular admission to a graduate program.
• Two letters of recommendation. It is suggested (but not required) that at least one letter be authored by a credentialed Athletic Trainer. Please make sure the letters of recommendation speak to your ability to perform well in a rigorous academic program. Please use the online format provided by ATCAS.

Admission Requirements: Graduate School

Applicants must apply to the Athletic Training Centralized Application System (ATCAS) before the program area reviews the applicant’s request for admission. Failure to submit all required materials will delay the evaluation and screening of your application.

Each applicant must:

• Possess a baccalaureate degree from an Institutionally Accredited college or university or a comparable degree from a foreign institution.
• Have a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or better (on a 4.00 scale) for the most recent degree earned or current degree in progress.
  • If you are still completing your bachelor's degree at the time you apply, admission will be based on your current cumulative GPA, and you will need to re-submit your official transcript (showing your conferred degree and final GPA) during your first semester. If your final GPA fell below 3.00, you will be given additional requirements as defined by the academic program that must be met within one calendar year to remain enrolled at UNC.
  • If you have completed a master's degree, or at least 18 credit hours towards a master's degree, the GPA of your master's work will be used.
• Complete the following prerequisite course at the post-secondary level, with a grade of C or higher, or be in progress at the time of application to the program:

  • General Biology course with lab

  • General Chemistry course with lab

  • General Physics course with lab

  • Human Anatomy and Physiology I with lab

  • Human Anatomy and Physiology II with lab

  • Principles of Psychology

  • Principles of Nutrition

  • Biomechanics

  • Exercise Physiology

Take the following steps to be considered for admission:

Step 1: Complete the Application

Complete the Athletic Training Centralized Application System (ATCAS) application.

Step 2: Request Transcripts

Please Note: As all official transcripts are submitted to ATCAS, they do not need to be resubmitted to the Office of Admissions.

Exceptions:

• If an applicant intends to use Veteran’s Education Benefits, an official transcript from all colleges or universities attended will be required in order to maintain compliance with Veteran’s Affairs policies.
• Per program requirements, some programs may require that official transcripts from each college or university attended be submitted for admission consideration. Currently, applicants to the following programs must list all colleges or universities attended and provide official transcripts for each:
  • Biomedical Sciences MBS
  • Sport and Exercise Science — Biomechanics Emphasis (M.S. and Ph.D.)
  • Athletic Training M.S.

Official transcripts from U.S. institutions should be sent via mail directly from the educational institution in an unopened, sealed envelope or through an electronically secure digital program from the issuing institution.

Mailed transcripts should be sent to:

University of Northern Colorado
Office of Admissions
Campus Box 10
501 20th St
Greeley, CO 80639

Electronic transcripts from U.S. institutions should be sent directly from the educational institution to: [e-mail].

The Office of Admissions does not accept email, scanned or PDF transcripts directly from applicants. All official transcripts, submitted as part of the application process, are retained by UNC and not returned to applicants or admitted students.

UNC retains submitted transcripts, from institutions other than UNC, for admitted students for up to five years after graduation or date of last attendance at UNC. Transcripts provided by applicants who were not admitted, denied admissions or did not complete their application are destroyed after one (1) year. The Office of Admissions will make every attempt to use previously-submitted transcripts if they are within these timeframes. However, if the Office of Admissions cannot locate previously submitted transcripts, the transcripts fall outside the timeframes listed above or they are considered illegible, applicants must provide new transcripts.

Applicants with academic credentials from outside the U.S. will need to follow the requirements for submission of foreign transcripts. Click on the Transcripts tab for information about international transcripts.

Step 3: Note About the GRE

This program does not require GRE scores.

Additional Information

Once your ATCAS application is complete, your application will be reviewed by the Graduate School and then sent to the faculty/program for an admission recommendation. Upon verification of a complete application, the program faculty will contact the applicant to schedule an admissions interview with an admissions committee which is made up of program faculty and clinical site preceptors.  

Applicants will be evaluated using the following criteria:

• Overall application materials (~11% weight)
  • Organization, completeness and presentation
• Academic performance (~11% weight)
  • Overall GPA and GPA in prerequisite coursework
• Athletic Training Observations (~11% weight)
  • Evidence of quality and quantity of observation experiences
• Statement of Goals (~11% weight)
  • Quality of writing and evidence of clear desire to pursue Athletic Training as a career
• Letters of Recommendation (~11% weight)
  • Evidence of support for pursuit of Athletic Training
• Interview (~45% weight)
  • Evidence of a genuine understanding of the profession of Athletic Training
  • Articulation of career goals and congruence with the program
  • Evidence of problem solving and critical thinking skills
  • Personal attributes that indication preparation and ability to meet challenges
  • Clarity of expression
  • Demonstration of an upbeat and positive affect
  • Poise and confidence
  • Professional appearance

The admissions committee will use a standardized rubric to evaluate each applicant on their own merits. The committee will come to a consensus on an admission recommendation for each applicant. 

International Applicants

International applicants (non-U.S. citizen/non-U.S. Permanent Resident) please refer to the International Admissions Requirements page for further information about submitting transcripts, English proficiency scores, passport copy and financial documentation.

For More Information 
For more information about the admission process, please email the Office of Admissions at [e-mail] or call 970-351-2881.

 

 

Degree Requirements — 54 Credits

Required Major Credits — 36 credits

AT 500	Foundations of Athletic Training I	3
AT 501	Foundations of Athletic Training II	2
AT 510	Techniques in Athletic Training I	2
AT 511	Techniques in Athletic Training II	2
AT 520	Physical Examination I	3
AT 521	Physical Examination II	2
AT 530	Therapeutic Interventions I	2
AT 531	Therapeutic Interventions II	3
AT 540	Diagnosis and Management of General Medical Conditions	4
AT 550	Administrative Concepts in Athletic Training	3
AT 560	Health Promotion, Wellness, and Performance Enhancement	3
AT 591	Seminar in Athletic Training	2
SES 602	Introduction to Research in Sport and Exercise Science	3

AT 591 - Take 4 credits

Supervised Clinical Practicum — 18 credits

AT 592	Clinical Immersion in Athletic Training	3-6
AT 593	Clinical Practicum in Athletic Training I	1
AT 594	Clinical Practicum in Athletic Training II	2

AT 592 - Take 15 credits

Program Notes

The Master of Science in Athletic Training is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE), 850 Austin Center Blvd., Suite 100 Austin, TX 78731-3184, [phone]. With successful completion of the program, the graduate is eligible to take the national certification exam to become a Certified Athletic Trainer. 

Potential applicants are required to submit an application to Athletic Training Centralized Application Services (ATCAS) in addition to submitting an application to the Graduate School at the University of Northern Colorado. Admission to the Graduate School does not guarantee admission into the Athletic Training graduate program.

The program is offered according to a cohort model in which all students take the courses in the same sequence. A required comprehensive examination must be successfully completed during the student's final semester in the program.

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