Athletic Training M.S.

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 a 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: grad.admissions@unco.edu.

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 grad.admissions@unco.edu or call 970-351-2881.