AT Combined BA/MS Degree Curriculum

5 Year Combined BA/MS in Exercise Science & Athletic Training
For students interested in earning a Master’s degree in Athletic Training, years one and two comprise the Candidacy Phase, and then students apply to be retained in the Professional Phase of the degree. By the end of the fifth year of study, students will have earned a B.A. in Exercise Science, an M.S. in Athletic Training, and be eligible to sit for the Board of Certification (BOC) exam.

In addition to Adrian College’s liberal arts distribution requirements, the courses listed below are required to graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in Exercise Science and a Master of Science in Athletic Training. You may find course descriptions in the undergraduate catalog. Below, you will also find a typical example of course sequencing for freshman through senior year, as well as retention criteria necessary to remain in the major of athletic training

Master of Science in Athletic Training Graduation Requirements

• Completion of B.A. degree program in Exercise Science with a concentration in Athletic Training from Adrian College.
• Completion of required courses listed below (see retention and probation criteria for more specific information)
• Completion of a thesis that includes a proposal, data collection, analysis, and presentation of results

Major Program Requirements (All Students earning a B.A. in Exercise Science must complete the core and cognate courses)

Exercise Science Core (25 hours)
ESPE 115 Care and Prevention of Athletic Injuries (3)
ESPE 201 Red Cross First Aid and Emergency Care (2)
ESPE 203 Foundations and Careers in ESPE and AT (2)
ESPE 225 Anatomy (3)
ESPE 250 Human Physiology (3)
ESPE 300 Kinesiology (3)
ESPE 311 Exercise Physiology (3)
ESPE 339 Exercise Prescription and Conditioning (3)
ESPE 350 Laboratory Experiences in Exercise Physiology (3)

Exercise Science Cognates (22 hours)
BIOL 101, 103, or 104 Biology &Society, Plant Biology, or Animal Biology (4)
BIOL 209 Human Nutrition (3)
CHEM 101 The World of Chemistry or CHEM 105/107 Gen Chemistry (3)/Gen Chemistry Lab (1)
PSYC 100 General Psychology (3)
PHYS 101 Introductory Physics (3)
PHYS 103 Introductory Physics Laboratory I (1)
MATH 115 Pre-Calculus (4)

Athletic Training Concentration Requirements (20 Credits)
ESPE 145 Clinical Observation and Orthoses (3)
ESPE 325 Orthopedic Assessment I (3)
ESPE 326 Orthopedic Assessment II (3)
ESPE 330 Therapeutic Modalities (3)
ESPE 345 Athletic Training Clinical Skills I (2)
ESPE 346 Athletic Training Clinical Skills II (2)
ESPE 445 Athletic Training Clinical Skills III (2)
ESPE 446 Athletic Training Clinical Skills IV (2)

Athletic Training Concentration Cognates (11)
PSYC 206 Health Psychology (3)
PSYC 211 Statistics for Psychology (4)
PSYC 265 Research Methods for Majors (4)

M.S. Degree in Athletic Training Graduate Courses (28 Credits)
ESPE 501 Athletic Training Administration (3)
ESPE 510 Athletic Health Symposium (3)
ESPE 525 Orthopedica Rehabilitation (3)
ESPE 526 General Medical Conditions (3)
ESPE 545 Advanced Clinical Skills I (4)
ESPE 546 Advanced Clinical Skills II (4)
ESPE 595 Capstone Course: Thesis (8)

M.S Degree in Athletic Training Electives (3 Credits)
Students must complete at least three credits from this list:
ESPE 500 Biomechanics (3)
ESPE 515 Advanced Therapies (3)
ESPE 520 Advanced Exercise Physiology (3)
ESPE 551 Independent Study (1-3)
ESPE 590 Advanced Topics in Athletic Training (1-3)

Athletic Training Professional Phase Retention/Probation Criteria:

Retention Application:  After the Candidacy Phase (typically after the second year of study), students must apply to be formally reviewed for retention in the Athletic Training Professional Phase.  Because there are specific accreditation standards regarding maximum enrollment, retention in the athletic training major is competitive, and will be based on students’ performance in the following areas:

• Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75
• Minimum major GPA of 2.75
• Completion of the following courses with a grade of C- or better:  ESPE 145, ESPE 201 (or certification), ESPE 100, ESPE 115, ESPE 225, ESPE 250
• Interview with athletic training faculty/staff
• Completed Retention Application and Essay

Prior to enrolling in professional phase athletic training clinical coursework (ESPE 345, 346, 445, 446, 545, and 546) students must have the following on file:

• Signed technical standards
• Proof of current CPR for the professional rescuer (or equivalent), and first aid certifications
• Proof of a current health history, immunization review, and physical examination that verifies a student is able to meet the physical and psychological rigors of the program.
• Proof of annual blood-borne pathogen training

Professional Phase Retention:  After students have applied for retention in the Professional Phase, student performance will be evaluated each semester thereafter, and retention will be based on the following criteria:

• Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75
• Minimum major GPA of 2.75
• Completion of athletic training required coursework with a grade of C- or better

Prior to enrolling in professional phase athletic training clinical coursework (ESPE 345, 346, 445, 446, 545, and 546) students must also have the following on file:

• Proof of current CPR for the professional rescuer (or equivalent), and first aid certifications
• Proof of annual blood-borne pathogen training

Probation:  Students who do not meet minimum retention criteria will be placed on probation, and will have one year to rectify the deficiency.  If deficiencies are not corrected within the one year period, the student may be dismissed from the Athletic Training program.  If students do not meet the minimum criteria above at the time of completion of the B.A. in Exercise Science, they will not be allowed to continue Master’s level coursework.

Transfer Students:  Information regarding Adrian College’s transfer policies can be found in the Academic Catalog, under the Admissions section.  Students wishing to transfer into the Athletic Training program will be held to the Professional Phase retention standards listed above.  Students wishing to transfer into the Athletic Training program must do so during the Candidacy Phase (year 1 or 2).  Students should be aware that certain athletic training coursework may not transfer. Transfer acceptance is contingent on space availability, and performance level in the stated criteria.

Note:  Students who have completed the undergraduate requirements for Exercise Science and Athletic Training who opt not to continue with Master’s level Athletic Training courses may earn a B.A. in Exercise Science/Pre-Athletic Training upon completion of the capstone course ESPE 481.