Athletic Trainer
Athletic trainers are healthcare professionals, trained in the evaluation and management of injuries and illnesses in athletes and other physically active people. They collaborate with physicians to provide preventative services, emergency care, clinical diagnosis, therapeutic intervention, and rehabilitation of injuries and medical conditions.
CAREER DESCRIPTION*
- National median salary: $60,250
- National projected career growth: 11%
- Evaluate and manage injury and illness
- Provide first aid or emergency care
- Develop and carry out comprehensive programs to prevent injury among athletes
TYPICAL EDUCATION**
- Years of School (including undergraduate): 5-6
- Average Admittance GPA: 3.4
- Master’s Degree required
- Certification & License required
CAREER ENVIRONMENTS
- High Schools, Colleges, and Universities
- Hospitals and Medical Clinics
- Military and First-Responders
- Performing Arts
- Professional Sports
COMPETITIVE STUDENTS ALWAYS...
- Maintain a competitive GPA
- Gain hands-on experience by volunteering
- Obtain a C or higher in courses required for the program(s) of interest
NEARBY GRADUATE PROGRAMS & ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
- University of Nebraska at Omaha
- University of Nebraska-Lincoln
- University of Nebraska at Kearney
- Nebraska Wesleyan University
UNO's Athletic Training Master's Program Prerequisites
| Course | Credits | Semester | Prerequisites |
| BMCH 2400 Human Physiology & Anatomy I & Lab | 4 | F, S | N/A |
| BMCH 2500 Human Physiology & Anatomy II & Lab | 4 | F, S | BMCH 2400 |
|
AND BIOL 1330 Environment Biology |
3 | F, S | N/A |
|
OR BIOL 1020 Principles of Biology & Lab |
4 | F, S | ENGL 1150 by placement |
|
OR BIOL 1450 Biology I & Lab |
5 | F, S, M | High School Biology and Chemistry |
|
AND KINS 4100 Applied Kinesiology |
3 | F, S | BMCH 2400 or PE 2880 or BIOL 2740 |
| KINS 4940 Physiology of Exercise | 3 | F, S, M | BMCH 2400 or BIOL 2740 |
|
CHEM 1010 Chemistry in the Environment and Society or any upper-level CHEM course |
3 | F, S | MATH 1300 or 1320 |
| PHYS 1050 Introduction to Physics or any upper-level PHYS course |
4 | F, S | N/A |
| PSYC 1010 Introduction to Psychology I | 3 | F, S, M | N/A |
| HEKI 3090 Applied Nutrition | 3 | F, S, M | N/A |
UNO Alternative Entry into the MA in Athletic Training from the BS in Kinesiology
The School of Health and Kinesiology offers an alternative entry into the MA in Athletic Training, which allows outstanding students to complete the BS in Kinesiology degree and the MA in Athletic Training graduate degree in 5 years. The alternative entry program is designed for dedicated students who are motivated and willing to take on the challenges relating to graduate education. Interested students are encouraged to meet with their academic advisor for more information about this program.
Program Contact Information
Undergraduate Advising - unohkadvising@unomaha.edu or 402.554.2670
Graduate Advising - Sam Wilkins, PhD, Director, Athletic Training Programs and Graduate Program Chair (GPC) sjwilkins@unomaha.edu or 402.554.2670
*Data and information from the Bureau of Labor Statistics
**Data and information from UNO
Last update: 9.2025