The University of New Mexico

Graduate Program

Student Information Contact
Dr. Sara Nottingham
Athletic Training Program Coordinator
Johnson Center, Room 1132
505-277-1610
atprogram@unm.edu

Degree program information

Degree Offered

  • Master of Science in Athletic Training

Athletic trainers (ATs) are nationally certified and state-licensed health care professionals who provide patient care under the direction of or in collaboration with a physician. As a part of the health care team, services provided by ATs include injury and illness prevention, wellness promotion and education, emergent care, examination, and clinical diagnosis, therapeutic intervention, and rehabilitation of injuries and medical conditions. Athletic trainers work in a variety of clinical settings, including athletics across the lifespan, clinics, hospitals, industrial workplaces, performing arts, military, and public safety settings.

Athletic training programs are nationally accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE). After successfully completing a CAATE-accredited athletic training program, graduates are eligible to sit for the Board of Certification exam and apply for state licensure.

UNM offers a Master of Science in Athletic Training degree, which includes a 2-year program of study with two degree completion options (coursework only or thesis). The mission of the University of New Mexico Athletic Training Program is to develop competent professionals who provide evidence-based, patient-centered care to a variety of patient populations. Program goals include:

  1. Prepare students to successfully pass the Board of Certification (BOC) examination.
  2. Develop reflective practitioners who engage in life-long learning.
  3. Foster student engagement in the profession and community.
  4. Develop competent healthcare professionals who integrate evidence-based decision-making into their patient care.
  5. Prepare students to work in a variety of clinical practice settings with diverse patients across the lifespan.

 The Master of Science in Athletic Training Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education. Additional details on the accreditation agency and status of program accreditation can be found on CAATE’s website.

Entrance Requirements

Prospective applicants must have:

  • Bachelor's degree
  • 3.0 GPA on the last 60 graded core courses taken
  • Grade of "C" or better in all prerequisite courses, completed within the past 10 years
  • Completed UNM Graduate Application
  • See program website for additional application requirements

Prerequisite courses (one semester each)
Note: UNM courses are listed below, equivalent courses from other institutions will also be accepted

  • BIOL 1140/1140L: Biology for Health Sciences/Biology for Health Sciences Laboratory
  • CHEM 1215/1215L: General Chemistry I for STEM Majors/General Chemistry I for STEM Majors Laboratory
  • MATH 1350: Introduction to Statistics
  • PHYS 1115 or 1230: Survey of Physics or Algebra-Based Physics I
  • NUTR 2110: Human Nutrition
  • PSYC 1110: Introduction to Psychology
  • BIOL 2210/2210L: Human Anatomy and Physiology I/Human Anatomy and Physiology I Laboratory*
  • BIOL 2225/2225L: Human Anatomy and Physiology II/Human Anatomy and Physiology II Laboratory*
  • PRPE 2165: Kinesiology
  • PEP 326L: Fundamentals of Exercise Physiology

*If anatomy/physiology are completed separately, a minimum of 1 semester of anatomy with lab and 1 semester of physiology with lab are required to meet these prerequisites.

Program Requirements

The Master of Science in Athletic Training Program includes two completion options.

  • Plan I: Thesis (66 credit hours)
  • Plan III: Coursework Only (60 credit hours)

The Athletic Training Graduate Program offers a 2-year plan of study which involves an intensive, full-time load taken in a designated sequence. Program completion includes didactic, laboratory, and clinical education coursework. Successful completion of the program includes at least 60 credit hours of coursework. Students interested in completing a thesis (Plan I) must complete an additional 6 credit hours, which may extend the time of the study.

 Plan III  (Coursework Only)

  • ATED 501 Principles of Evidence-Based Practice in Athletic Training (1)
  • ATED 502 Principles of Clinical Examination (3)
  • ATED 503 Principles of Clinical Practice (3)
  • ATED 510 Clinical Examination and Diagnosis of the Extremities (6)
  • ATED 511 Therapeutic Interventions: Therapeutic Modalities (4)
  • ATED 512 Emergency Response in Athletic Training (4)
  • ATED 520 Clinical Education Experience I (2)
  • ATED 513 Research in Athletic Training (3)
  • ATED 514 Clinical Examination and Diagnosis of the Trunk and Torso (5)
  • ATED 521 Clinical Education Experience II (2)
  • ATED 515 Evaluation and Management of General Medical Conditions (4)
  • ATED 601 Therapeutic Interventions: Manual Therapy Techniques (1)
  • ATED 602 Pharmacology in Athletic Training (2)
  • ATED 603 Behavioral Health and Wellness in Athletic Training (2)
  • ATED 604 Advanced Concepts in Clinical Examination (1)
  • ATED 610 Athletic Training Administration (3)
  • ATED 611 Therapeutic Interventions: Rehabilitative Exercise (5)
  • ATED 620 Clinical Education Experience Ill (3)
  • ATED 621 Immersive Clinical Experience (6)

Program total credit hours (Plan III coursework only) 60

Plan I (Thesis)

  • All courses listed above for Plan III (60 total)
  • ATED 599 Master's Thesis (6)

Program total credit hours (Plan 1 thesis option) 66

Courses

ATED 501. Principles of Evidence-Based Practice in Athletic Training. (1)


ATED 502. Principles of Clinical Examination. (3)


ATED 503. Principles of Clinical Practice. (3)


ATED 510. Clinical Examination and Diagnosis of the Extremities. (6)


ATED 511. Therapeutic Interventions: Therapeutic Modalities. (4)


ATED 512. Emergency Response in Athletic Training. (4)


ATED 513. Research in Athletic Training. (3)


ATED 514. Clinical Examination and Diagnosis of the Trunk and Torso. (5)


ATED 515. Evaluation and Management of General Medical Conditions. (4)


ATED 520. Clinical Education Experience I. (2)


ATED 521. Clinical Education Experience II. (2)


ATED 599. Master's Thesis. (1-6 to a maximum of 99 Δ)


ATED 601. Therapeutic Interventions: Manual Therapy Techniques. (1)


ATED 602. Pharmacology in Athletic Training. (2)


ATED 603. Behavioral Health and Wellness in Athletic Training. (2)


ATED 604. Advanced Concepts in Clinical Examination. (1)


ATED 610. Athletic Training Administration. (3)


ATED 611. Therapeutic Interventions: Rehabilitative Exercise. (5)


ATED 620. Clinical Education Experience III. (3)


ATED 621. Immersive Clinical Experience. (6)


Course Search:




Keyword Search:

Office of the Registrar

MSC11 6325
1 University of New Mexico
Albuquerque, NM 87131

Phone: (505) 277-8900
 Fax: (505) 277-6809