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2019-2020 Undergraduate & Graduate Catalog

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Combined Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science and Master of Athletic Training

Qualified undergraduates may choose to pursue an accelerated bachelor/master combined program and obtain both a B.S. in exercise science - clinical emphasis and Master of Athletic Training within an accelerated time frame, usually five years. Students who choose to apply to this program may take graduate courses after being admitted to the Master of Athletic Training professional program and completing at least 90 undergraduate credits. Up to 12 credits of graduate work may be used in partial satisfaction of the requirements for the undergraduate degree (in alignment with university policy, a maximum of 12 credit hours of graduate work will count toward both the graduate and undergraduate degrees). All other master degree requirements must be met, including a project and the graduate Capstone (ATH 689 - Professional Topics in Athletic Training). Please see the Master of Athletic Training catalog page for requirements for admission to the MAT as admission is competitive.

After completing 120 credits and all requirements for the bachelor degree, students are awarded a bachelor degree.

Application Procedure for Combined Degree

Students will normally apply to the combined degree program at the end of the fall semester during their third academic year and will be admitted for the winter semester. Please see the Master of Athletic Training catalog page for requirements for admission to the MAT as admission is competitive and is handled through the Athletic Training Centralized Application Service (ATCAS). The student should view the complete application requirements in that online platform. Generally, application requirements include:

  • Overall GPA of 3.00 or greater
  • Earned a minimum of C in all courses
  • Two recommendations
  • Academic transcripts
  • Resume/CV and writing samples
  • Minimum of 75 hours of documented observation
  • Health care provider CPR/AED and first aid certifications

Requirements During Undergraduate Studies

All university requirements, including general education courses, must be completed before the final (graduate) year of the combined B.S./MAT program. In the final undergraduate year (usually the fourth year), students will take 12 to 15 credits of graduate-level courses.

In accordance with university policy, students will earn a maximum of 12 graduate credits during their undergraduate program (the EXS/MAT combined degree only counts 10 graduate credits).

  • Students may dual-count the following courses toward the exercise science - clinical and Master of Athletic Training degrees. Students are strongly encouraged to work with their faculty advisor to ensure all undergraduate and graduate requirements are met.

Requirements During Graduate Studies

A student shall be considered a graduate student for all purposes upon either of the following events: the award of a baccalaureate degree or the completion of 12 graduate credit hours.

Suggested Curriculum Sequence

Note: The sequence below makes no attempt to minimize credit load. For example, the sequence assumes that all general education courses are distinct and no double dipping is done.

First Year

(35 undergraduate credits)

  • General education - Philosophy and Literature
  • General education - Social and Behavioral Sciences

Second Year

(37 undergraduate credits)

  • General education - U.S. Diversity
  • General education - Historical Perspectives
  • General education - Art

Third Year

(31 undergraduate credits)

  • Elective
  • General education - Issues
  • General education - Issues
  • General education - Global Perspective

Fourth Year

(35 graduate credits)

Fifth Year

(24 graduate credits)

The following courses are accepted substitutions in the undergraduate exercise science - clinical emphasis degree should a student chose not to complete the combined degree. Students are strongly encouraged to work with their faculty advisor to ensure all requirements are met.

The following is a list of approved elective courses within exercise science. In consult with an academic advisor, additional elective courses may be approved.

Graduation Without Completion of the Combined Degree Program

If a student decides at some point to pursue only the undergraduate portion of the combined degree, the graduate courses taken in lieu of undergraduate courses will still be recognized. Credit from the undergraduate degree cannot be used toward a graduate degree at a later date.

If a student should not be successful in their application for the MAT or simply chose not to apply, that student would need to complete the following courses in their fourth year to earn their B.S. in exercise science - clinical emphasis:


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