Five Year Combined B.S. in Exercise Science and M.S. in Athletic Training

Athletic trainers are board certified allied health care professionals who specialize in preventing, recognizing, managing and rehabilitating injuries that result from physical activity. Students who want to become athletic trainers must earn a degree from an accredited athletic training curriculum and pass a comprehensive national exam administered by the Board of Certification.

For students interested in majoring in Athletic Training, years one and two comprise the Candidacy Phase, and then students apply to the Graduate Professional Phase. During the Professional Phase (typically years 3-5), students will complete the combined degree program concurrently, that is, by completing the degree requirements for the bachelor’s and master’s degrees at the same time. By the end of the fourth year of study, students will have earned a B.S. in Exercise Science / Pre-Athletic Training and an M.S in Athletic Training after year five. Transfer students should contact the Program Director of Athletic Training or the registrar's office for a transcript evaluation.

Master of Science in Athletic Training Graduation Requirements

  • Completion of B.S. degree program in Exercise Science / Pre-Athletic Training from Adrian College
  • External applicants will be considered based on successful completion of required coursework.
  • Completion of remaining credits of Athletic Training Graduate Core (see retention and probation criteria for more specific information)

Note: Students who have completed all undergraduate requirements for Exercise Science / Pre-Athletic Training who opt not to continue with the post-graduate portion of the program may earn a B.S. in Exercise Science/Pre-Athletic Training upon completion of the capstone course ESAT404.

Athletic Training Professional Phase & Graduate Application

After the Candidacy Phase (typically after the second year of undergraduate study), students must apply to the graduate program through the athletic training program’s application process.

Minimum Requirements for Admittance:

  • Completed Graduate Program Application
  • Minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 2.75
  • Minimum GPA of 2.75 for pre-requisite courses
  • Completion of the following courses with a grade of C or better: AT100, AT145, ESAT202, ESAT225, ESAT226, ESAT250, PSYC100, the biology, physics and chemistry requirements (see pre-athletic training cognates)
  • Interview with athletic training faculty
  • Signed technical standards
  • Proof of current CPR/BLS (or equivalent), certification
  • Proof of first aid training
  • Proof of up-to date immunizations required by Adrian College
  • Signed Communicable Disease Policy

Professional Phase Retention:

Students will be evaluated each semester thereafter, and retention will be based on the following criteria. Students must:

  • Maintain a minimum cumulative major GPA of 2.75 as undergraduate students, and a 3.0 as graduate students
  • Maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 in graduate level coursework
  • Complete all required coursework with a grade of C or better

Professional Phase Probation:

Prior to completing the B.S. in Exercise Science/Pre-Athletic Training, students who do not meet minimum retention criteria will be placed on probation, and will have a maximum one year from the original probation date (from the date of the first offense, only) to rectify the deficiency. If deficiencies are not corrected within the one-year period, the student may be dismissed from the athletic training program. Moreover, students who do not earn the minimum grade requirements in athletic training clinical skills courses (AT501-506) will not be allowed to move on to the subsequent clinical skills course, or graduate. Finally, students do not meet the minimum criteria at the time of completion of the B.S. in Exercise Science/Pre-Athletic Training, they will not be allowed to continue with the final year of 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/probation standards listed in this catalog. Students should be aware that certain coursework may not transfer. Transfer acceptance is contingent on space availability, and performance level in the stated criteria.