General Program Information

• Program Overview

  The UNC AT Program is a stand alone, two-year graduate program, delivered over five (5) consecutive semesters. It is administratively housed in the School of Sport and Exercise Science (SES), within the College of Natural and Health Sciences (NHS), culminating in a Master of Science degree in Athletic Training. Entry into the AT Program is selective and competitive. The AT Program at UNC is a challenging program in which students develop practical athletic training skills through a clinically focused curriculum. The AT Program is comprehensive and includes both didactic (classroom) and clinical education elements. These two elements should not be considered separate entities. They should be viewed as intimately linked and essential to the overall goal of the best Athletic Training education possible.

  The didactic portion of the AT Program focuses on the theory and knowledge behind the practice of Athletic Training. The clinical portion focuses on the "real-world" application of didactic knowledge. Without the clinical portion, the classroom portion has little value because there is no correlation or application possible. Likewise, without the didactic knowledge, the clinical portion is of little value because application without background knowledge is ineffective.

  Students should place equal priority on success in both portions of the AT Program. To this end, students should understand that their supervised clinical experiences are part of their educational curriculum. Likewise, students should never think of themselves as "working" or covering a sport or being the assigned Athletic Training provider for a sport. Instead, they should think of themselves as Athletic Training Students (ATS) assigned to a specific clinical preceptor who will supervise and mentor their clinical experiences within a specific clinical setting or settings.

  This clinical experience will involve some supervised autonomy in activities as well as some collaboration in decision-making between the ATS and a clinical preceptor, but students should never be the primary person responsible for the care of an athlete or team. All student decisions must be supervised.

• Origins

  University of Northern Colorado Athletic Training was established in the 1960's, and was developed into the clinical program by the late NATA Hall of Fame member Dan Libera.

• Accreditation History & Status

  In 1988, the UNC program was recognized by the National Athletic Trainers Association (NATA).

  In the 1990-91 school year the NATA approved the UNC program as an undergraduate curriculum program.

  In the year of its inception, 1996, the Committee on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) accredited the UNC Athletic Training Education Program.

  It maintains its accreditation to this day, although under the new Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE). 

  The Athletic Training Program at the University of Northern Colorado has been granted 10 years of continuing accreditation (the maximum possible). The Program’s next comprehensive review, including a self-study and on-site review, is scheduled to occur during the 2026 - 2027 academic year.

  Verification of the program's accreditation status can be acquired by visiting the CAATE website.

  The UNC program is the longest standing accredited professional athletic training program in the state of Colorado.

  

Mission Statement

The mission of the University of Northern Colorado ATP is to provide a comprehensive educational experience and a strong clinical foundation to prepare the successful student to launch a career in the allied health profession of athletic training.

Goals, Outcomes, & Objectives

The goal of the University of Northern Colorado 's Athletic Training Program is to develop quality athletic training students that will contribute and be active in the athletic training profession, and to promote a positive attitude of healthful living and health care to the physically active across the lifespan.

Outcome 1: Demonstrate academic competency and clinical proficiency within the domains of athletic training.

Objectives related to outcome 1:

• Students will critically analyze and apply the practical knowledge and skills in management of injuries to active individuals of diverse population.
• Students will critically analyze and apply the practical knowledge and skills in management of illnesses in active individuals, of diverse populations.
• Students will critically analyze and apply the practical knowledge and skills in athletic training organization & administration.

Outcome 2: Synthesize knowledge of basic science, research methodology, and evidence based research related to athletic training, to answer clinical questions and guide clinical practice.

Objectives related to outcome 2:

• Student will develop answerable clinical questions relevant to injuries and illnesses in active individuals of diverse populations
• Students will access and successfully interpret healthcare related data
• Students will apply sound evidence to implement safe and effective clinical practice.

Outcome 3: Model culturally competent, inter-professional interaction within the health care community.

Objectives related to outcome 3:

• Students will effectively communicate using verbal, written, and technological communication skills necessary for success in clinical practice.
• Students will interact with health care professionals other than athletic trainers while demonstrating appropriate professional behaviors.
• Students will collaborate with health care professionals from multiple disciplines to provide appropriate patient care and develop appropriate interprofessional attitudes.

Outcome 4: Engage in the field of athletic training and/or be prepared for post-professional academic pursuits.

Objectives related to outcome 4:

• Students will successfully complete the BOC exam process.
• Students will develop professional attributes consistent with a practicing athletic trainer.
• Students will obtain employment as an athletic trainer upon graduation.

Outcome 5: Provide comprehensive educational experiences that are effective in preparing the graduate to enter the profession of Athletic Training.

Objectives related to outcome 5:

• The program will demonstrate high quality of didactic instruction in all AT courses.
• The program will demonstrate high quality of clinical instruction in all clinical experiences.