Pre-Athletic Training
Start your journey to becoming an athletic trainer.
Take Prerequisites Courses.
University of Nebraska Lincoln offers the classes you need to apply for an athletic training program while earning your bachelor’s degree. See the list below for a brief overview of required prerequisite courses.
Get Experience.
Start building your shadowing and volunteer hours to be a more competitive athletic training school applicant. Don’t forget to keep track of your hours!
Talk to an Advisor Each Semester.
There’s a lot of coordination and planning that needs to happen to make sure you do everything you need before graduate school. The Explore Center’s advisors are here to help you navigate this journey. Meet with an advisor today to get a personalized 4-year pre-athletic training plan!
Pre-Athletic Training Roadmap at UNL
Athletic Training Prerequisite Classes
Depending on the school you plan to attend, you may need additional prerequisite courses. Meet with an advisor for more information.
Typical Athletic Training School Requirements
Biology – 2 semesters
Anatomy - 1 semester
Physiology with lab - 1 semester
Chemistry – 1 semester
Nutrition – 1 semester
Statistics – 1 semester
Physics – 1 semester
Biomechanics – 1 semester
Exercise Physiology – 1 semester
Psychology – 1 semester
Public Health (UNL Only) – 1 semester
Fitness Testing (UNK Only) – 1 semester
Foundations of Athletic Training (UNK Only) – 1 semester
What to Take at University of Nebraska Lincoln
Some classes require prerequisites. Meet with an advisor for help planning your courses.
Biology – LIFE 120/120L & LIFE 121/121L
Anatomy – BIOS 214
Physiology with lab – BIOS 213/213L
Chemistry – CHEM 109A/L
Nutrition – NUTR 250
Statistics – STAT 218, ECON 215, EDPS 459, or PSYC 350
Physics – PHYS 141 or 211/221
Biomechanics – NUTR 384
Exercise Physiology – NUTR 484
Psychology – PSYC 181
Public Health (UNL Only) – NUTR 100
Fitness Testing (UNK Only) – NUTR 486
Foundations of Athletic Training (UNK Only) - UNL does not offer this course. Reach out to UNK for options.
Suggested Course Sequencing
Semester 1 | Semester 2 |
Semester 3 | Semester 4 |
Semester 5 | Semester 6 |
Semester 7 | Semester 8 |
The above courses are entrance requirements for the athletic training programs at UNL, UNO, UNK, Nebraska Wesleyan, Midland, and Wayne State. Students interested in other programs should work with their pre-health advisor and contact schools directly for guidance on prerequisite courses.
Other Notes:
- AP/IB/CLEP: UNL’s program requires that courses be taken for a letter grade from an accredited higher education institution taught by a college instructor. UNK accepts AP/CLEP for pre-reqs, especially gen chem and physics. Prefers anatomy and other exercise science courses in college levels.
- GPA: Most schools require a minimum C grade in each course.
- Math: Some required courses, like chemistry, require math as a pre-requisite. See a pre-health advisor in the Explore Center for math placement information.
Extracurricular Involvement and Activities:
Pursuing athletic training school requires more than just coursework. Your extracurricular activities, employment, and healthcare experiences like shadowing and volunteering will contribute greatly to your success in this field. See your pre-health advisor in the Explore Center to plan extracurricular activities that will prepare you for this program.
Application and Admission
Application: Applications to UNL are completed through the Athletic Training Centralized Application Services (ATCAS). More information about ATCAS can be found at: atcas.liaisoncas.com. Schools may also require a separate application through their website.
Entrance exam: Some schools may require that students take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). Information about the GRE can be obtained at ets.org/gre.
Additional admission requirements: Most athletic training programs require letters of recommendation from an athletic trainer. Athletic training observation hours verified by a licensed athletic trainer are often required. Interviews are usually required for admission. Some schools may also require First Aid certification and/or CPR certification from either the American Red Cross or American Heart Association.