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3/2 Dual Degree Program

3/2 Dual Degree Program

BESS in Exercise Science (BESS ESS)& MS in Athletic Training (MSAT)


The dual degree program (3/2) allows undergraduate exercise and sports science students to enter the Master of Science in Athletic Training program beginning during the summer of their 4th year and earn a BESS in Exercise & Sport Science and a Master of Science in Athletic Training.

Students must first be admitted in the ESS-PRS major in the Department of Health & Human Performance.  Students will declare ESS-PRS with cohort code for interest in (3/2) program during freshman orientation.  Students will follow departmental requirements for admission into the professional phase of the BESS in Exercise & Sport Science.  Exercise & Sport Science majors who have at least a 3.0 GPA and who will have completed all of their prescribed courses by the spring of their junior year will be eligible to apply for the five-year program (MSAT).

Applicants to the five-year program will submit the same materials as other MSAT applicants by spring deadline of their junior year, and those who meet all minimum requirements, including having a “B” or better in AT 2298, AT 2356, AT 2400 and AT 3298 will receive interview for admission to the program.  The admission criteria for the five-year program will be the same as for other MSAT students.

Students continuing into the 4th year of the 3/2 program must finish the entire 120 hours and then will be eligible for the Bachelor’s degree at the end of their 4th year.  Students will then continue into their 5th year and be conferred the Master’s degree in athletic training at the end of their 5th and final year.

Students in the 3/2 program will be required to complete the same two-year, 55 hour curriculum as other students admitted to the MSAT program.  Students will take 99 hours of undergraduate courses and 55 hours of graduate course work, of which 21 hours will be applied to the undergraduate degree.  Students are required to maintain a 3.0 GPA through the first 21 hours of graduate coursework.

Students that are not accepted or unable to continue with the 3/2 program may complete the remaining requirements for the BESS in Exercise & Sport Sciences Pre-Rehabilitation Concentration (ESS-PRS).

This degree plan has been laid out showing the students the number of hours they must take each semester in order to complete the dual degree program.  The undergraduate portion of the plan is a suggested plan that must be followed closely to ensure specific courses are completed by spring of 3rd year (junior year). There may be some modifications in course order that can occur but students should consult with academic advisors for dual degree program before changes are made to ensure they are meeting degree requirements

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