Program Overview

Athletic Training (ATHT) Program

The Athletic Training (ATHT) program at the University of NebraskaLincoln offers a comprehensive education in the field of athletic training. The program is designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to become certified athletic trainers.

Course Descriptions

The following courses are part of the ATHT program:

• ATHT 145: Introduction to Athletic Training
  • Prerequisites: Open to freshmen and sophomores only
  • Description: Introduction to the preparation and work of the certified athletic trainer and to the profession and professional expectations and requirements. Observational and laboratory experiences.
  • Credit Hours: 3
• ATHT 146: First Aid, Treatment, and Management of Athletic Injuries
  • Prerequisites: ATHT 145
  • Description: Role of the athletic trainer in providing first aid and care to the injured athlete. Emergency medical care systems and personnel, emergency planning, and first aid treatment techniques. Standard first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
  • Credit Hours: 3
• ATHT 245: Organization and Administration of Athletic Training
  • Prerequisites: ATHT 345; parallel ATHT 348
  • Description: Supporting the daily activities of athletic trainers. Legal concepts, forms and record keeping, drug testing, insurance, concepts of financial management, facility management, and personnel management.
  • Credit Hours: 3
• ATHT 246: Prevention and Care of Athletic Injuries
  • Prerequisites: Admission to the Athletic Training Program; parallel ATHT 247
  • Description: The athletic trainer's duties and function in dealing with the prevention of athletic injuries through administering physical examinations, analyzing sports risk, supervising physical conditioning, properly fitting pads and equipment, and monitoring environmental conditions.
  • Credit Hours: 3
• ATHT 247: Clinical Education I
  • Prerequisites: Admission to the Athletic Training Program. ATHT 246 parallel.
  • Description: Organization skills in athletic training. Demonstration and practice of skills in: daily athletic training room operations, administration of physical examinations, practice of common skills found within the domains of athletic training, and use of appropriate wound care technique.
  • Credit Hours: 1
• ATHT 248: Clinical Education II
  • Prerequisites: ATHT 246
  • Description: Prevention skills in athletic training. Demonstration and practice of skills in: use of various devices and techniques necessary to screen and evaluate athletes' fitness and health; use of commercial conditioning equipment; collecting climatic data; fitting equipment; and the application of taping, wrapping, splints, and braces.
  • Credit Hours: 1
• ATHT 249: Therapeutic Modalities
  • Prerequisites: ATHT 246
  • Description: Theoretical and practical guidelines for using light, hydrotherapy, thermal energy, electrotherapeutic equipment, TENS, traction, and manual treatment techniques.
  • Credit Hours: 3
• ATHT 345: Evaluation of Athletic Injuries
  • Prerequisites: ATHT 249 and parallel ATHT 347
  • Description: Knowledge and skills needed by the athletic trainer to conduct a thorough evaluation of athletic injuries and illnesses for the purpose of formulating an impression of the injury so that proper care and disposition of the injury may be achieved.
  • Credit Hours: 3
• ATHT 346: Rehabilitation and Reconditioning
  • Prerequisites: ATHT 345 and parallel ATHT 348
  • Description: Planning and implementation of comprehensive rehabilitation and/or reconditioning programs for athletes. Physiological response to trauma, the healing cycle, evaluation of goals and objectives, and the principles of therapeutic exercise and therapeutic modalities.
  • Credit Hours: 3
• ATHT 347: Clinical Education III
  • Prerequisites: ATHT 248 and parallel ATHT 345
  • Description: Evaluation skills in athletic training. Demonstration and practice of skills in: taking the history of an injury; identifying objective signs of injury through observation, palpation, range of motion, and "special tests"; and incorporating findings into an effective clinical evaluation.
  • Credit Hours: 2
• ATHT 348: Clinical Education IV
  • Prerequisites: ATHT 347 and parallel ATHT 346
  • Description: Rehabilitation skills in athletic training. Demonstration and practice of skills in: the use of manual muscle testing; goniometry; use of ambulatory aids; application of clinical modalities; use of exercise in the recovery from injury/illness.
  • Credit Hours: 2
• ATHT 445: Medical Conditions in Athletic Training
  • Prerequisites: ATHT 346; Parallel: ATHT 447
  • Description: Provide knowledge and skills for the recognition, treatment, and referral of non-orthopedic medical conditions and disabilities for the physically active population.
  • Credit Hours: 2
• ATHT 446: Interprofessional Collaboration and Performance in Athletic Training
  • Prerequisites: ATHT 445 and parallel ATHT 448
  • Description: Develop skills for working in an interprofessional health care environment with an emphasis on recognition, referral, and proper management of behavioral health conditions commonly seen in active populations.
  • Credit Hours: 2
• ATHT 447: Clinical Education V
  • Prerequisites: Parallel ATHT 445
  • Description: Advanced skills in athletic training 1. Demonstration and practice of advanced skills in evaluation, treatment, and rehabilitation of athletic injury including isokinetic testing; Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) techniques; and joint mobilization.
  • Credit Hours: 2
• ATHT 448: Clinical Education VI
  • Prerequisites: ATHT 447 and parallel ATHT 446
  • Description: Advanced skills in athletic training 2. Demonstration and practice of skills in the evaluation of athletic injury and illness. Evaluation of common general medical conditions.
  • Credit Hours: 2

Program Requirements

The ATHT program requires students to complete a series of courses and clinical education experiences. The program is designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to become certified athletic trainers.

Admission Criteria

Admission to the ATHT program requires students to meet certain criteria, including completion of prerequisite courses and admission to the University of NebraskaLincoln.

Research Areas

The ATHT program offers opportunities for students to engage in research in various areas of athletic training, including injury prevention, rehabilitation, and sports performance enhancement.

Career Opportunities

Graduates of the ATHT program are qualified to work as certified athletic trainers in a variety of settings, including colleges and universities, high schools, sports medicine clinics, and professional sports teams.