Exercise Science Combined Degree Completion Requirements

In order to graduate from Grand Valley State University with a Master of Athletic Training (MAT) Degree, students must successfully complete all requirements of the MAT program as outlined in the University Catalog, in the MAT Student Handbook and on the MAT website.

Successful completion of the GVSU MAT Program makes students eligible to sit for the Board of Certification Examination for Athletic Trainers.

To successfully graduate from the GVSU MAT Program, students must:

  1. Pass each required course (see required coursework, not electives) with a C or better with a cumulative MAT GPA 3.0. 
  2. Successfully complete all Clinical Rotation requirements (see clinical rotation requirements).
  3. Complete and pass all Standards and evaluation tools.
  4. Successfully complete a minimum of 1,000 clinical rotation hours.
  5. Maintain First Aid and CPR/AED certifications. Certifications must be from the American Red Cross or American Heart Association. CPR/AED cards must be the equivalent for the professional rescuer or basic life support. First Aid cards must be the equivalent of Responding to Emergencies. Any other certifications will not be accepted (e.g. lifeguard).  The course must have hands-on participation - no online only course accepted.
  6. Have any academic restrictions, deferred grades, incomplete grades converted or lifted.
  7. Have all fees completely paid.
  8. Meet all Graduate School and GVSU requirements for graduation.

Failure to complete all of the above will require the student to follow the remediation policy.

It is the student’s responsibility to complete the application to graduate and submit it online at www.gvsu.edu/registrar the semester before graduation is expected. Degree candidates have 30 days from the last day of the semester to complete all course requirements and provide evidence of satisfactory completion to the Registrar. More details are provided on the registrar’s online page under “Apply to Graduate”.

For more information please see our Retention and Remediation Policy.


Suggested Coursework for Combined Degree Program in Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science and Master of Athletic Training

Undergraduate Coursework

Qualified undergraduates may choose an accelerated Bachelor/Master program and obtain both a B.S. in Exercise Science and a MAT in Athletic Training within an accelerated time frame, usually 5 years upon acceptance into the MAT. Students interested in the Combined Degree Program will follow the undergraduate coursework below in the B.S. Exercise Science - Clinical Exercise Science/Athletic Training Emphasis.  Students will apply to the Master of Athletic Training in the fall of their junior year.

First Year

Fall Semester

Course Prefix

Course Name

Credits

ATH 210

Directed Observation in Athletic Training

1

BIO 120

General Biology I

4

MOV 101

Foundations of Physical Education and Sport

3

MTH 110

Algebra

4

PSY 101

Introductory Psychology 

3

TOTAL CREDITS

 

15

Winter Semester

Course Prefix

Course Name

Credits

BMS 105

Basic Nutrition

3

BMS 250

Anatomy and Physiology I

4

CHM 109

Introductory Chemistry

4

WRT 150

Strategies in Writing 

4

TOTAL CREDITS

 

15

Spring/Summer Semester

Course Prefix

Course Name

Credits

*Student Choice

Gen Ed - Philosophy and Literature

3

*Student Choice

Gen Ed - Social and Behavioral Science

3

TOTAL CREDITS

 

6

Second Year

Fall Semester

Course Prefix

Course Name

Credits

ATH 217

Modern Principles of Athletic Training 

2

BMS 251

Anatomy and Physiology II 

4

CHM 230 

Introduction to Organic and Biochemistry 

4

STA 215

Introductory Applied Statistics

3

Student Choice

Gen Ed - Art

3

TOTAL CREDITS

 

16

Winter Semester

Course Prefix

Course Name

Credits

ATH 218

Modern Principles of Athletic Training Lab

1

EXS 209

Research Methods in Exercise and Health Sciences

3

MOV 300

Kinesiology

3

MOV 304

Intro to Exercise Physiology 

3

PHY 200

Physics for the Life Sciences

4

TOTAL CREDITS

 

14

Spring/Summer Semester

Course Prefix

Course Name

Credits

*Student Choice

Gen Ed - Historical Perspectives

3

*Student Choice

Gen Ed - U.S. Diversity

3

TOTAL CREDITS

 

6

Third Year

Fall Semester

Course Prefix

Course Name

Credits

BMS 223 or PH 222

Infectious Human Diseases or Public Health Concepts

3

EXS 320

Exercise Testing and Prescription 

3

EXS 321

Exercise Testing Lab

1

***MOV 310

Motor Skill Development (Exercise Science #1 Elective)

3

Student Choice

Gen Ed - Issues

3

***Student Choice

Exercise Science #2 Elective

3

TOTAL CREDITS

 

16

Winter Semester

Course Prefix

Course Name

Credits

EXS 465

Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation for Ex. Physio.

3

EXS 470

Exercise for Special Populations

3

Student Choice

Gen Ed - Issues

3

Student Choice

Gen Ed - World Perspectives

3

***Student Choice

Exercise Science #3 Elective

3

TOTAL CREDITS

 

15

Spring Semester

Course Prefix

Course Name

Credits

*Student Choice

Electives

6

TOTAL CREDITS

 

6

* Courses are recommended to complete in the Spring/Summer Semester.  

**Block tuition rate is for 12-15 credits. You will pay additional tuition for any credits over 15.

*** Must Choose from selected Exercise Science Electives (need 3 total): MOV 310 counts as one of these electives. The remaining two electives can be chosen from this list: BIO 355, BMS 375, EXS 460, MOV 350, 480, PSY 364, and STA 345 Declare Exercise Science as major and declare Clinical Exercise Science/ Athletic Training as emphasis Must have two SWS classes which can be Gen Ed’s

Combined Degree Substitutions in Exercise Science, Clinical Exercise Science Emphasis

ATH 514 will sub for EXS 420

ATH 521 will sub for EXS 490

ATH 523 will sub for EXS 495

ATH 210 + ATH 218 will sub for EXS 390

BMS 223 will sub for PSY 310

BMS 310 will sub for EXS 465


Combined Year

Students accepted in the MAT program will be taking undergraduate and graduate courses.  During the first semester (fall) of the first-year, 12 credits are dual counted, meaning they count as graduate and undergraduate credits.

GVSU Students are required to complete a minimum of 120 credits (semester hours) for graduation.  This means combined degree students should have 108 credits before the start of the MAT coursework.

Fourth Year

Summer Semester

Major

Class

Credits

ATH 510

Foundational Concepts and Techniques in Athletic Training

3

TOTAL CREIDTS

 

3

Fall Semester

Major

Class

Credits

ATH 506

Intervention and Referral

2

ATH 514

Assessment and Evaluation

4

ATH 521

Athletic Training Clinical I

3

ATH 525

Prehospital Care of the Injured Patient

4

TOTAL CREDITS

 

13

Winter Semester

Course Prefix

Course Name

Credits

ATH 515

Assessment and Evaluation II

4

ATH 522

Athletic Training Clinical II

3

ATH 523 

Methods of Evidence Based Practice

3

ATH 530

General Medical Conditions in Athletic Training

3

TOTAL CREDITS

 

13


Graduate Coursework

Students accepted into the MAT program will have completed their BS Exercise Science with an emphasis in Clinical Exercise Science and will finish their second year of graduate coursework. 

Fifth Year

Spring/Summer Semester

Major Class Credits

ATH 575

Therapeutic Interventions 

4

ATH 693

Project in Athletic Training

1-2

IPE 507

Integrated Team Health Care

2

STA 610

Applied Statistics for Health Professions

3

TOTAL CREDITS

 

10-12

Fall Semester

Course Prefix

Course Name

Credits

ATH 607

Pharmacology in Athletic Training

3

ATH 626

Athletic Training Clinical III

4

ATH 675

Therapeutic Interventions II

4

ATH 693*

Project in Athletic Training

2-4

TOTAL CREDITS

 

13-15

Winter Semester

Course Prefix

Course Name

Credits

ATH 628

Athletic Training Clinical IV

4

ATH 685

Advanced Techniques in Athletic Training

2

ATH 689

Professional Topics in Athletic Training

3

ATH 693*

Project in Athletic Training

2-4

TOTAL CREDIT

 

11-13

*ATH 693 - Project in Athletic Training will be for a total of 4 credits (1-3 credits per semester).



Estimated Program Costs

  • Undergraduate and Graduate Tuition costs = Please go to Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships
  • Students will be responsible for the costs associated with required immunizations managed through Viewpoint Screening [$25 one-time fee]
  • Physical Exam ($49), Blood Titers ($40), and Tuberculosis Testing ($15/test) the total estimated costs will be $120 (if completed at GVSU Family Health Center). Prices will vary at other healthcare facilities and are dependent on required immunizations.
  • Annual TB Test = $15/test (if completed at GVSU Family Health Center)
  • Background checks = $35
  • Drug screenings = $45
  • Basic Life Support (CPR/AED) and First Aid Certification = $34
  • CPR breathing barrier mask = $13 (at the GVSU Laker Store)
  • Travel to and from clinical/immersive experience (varies based on assignment)
  • Grand Valley Athletic Training Polo = $33
  • Student membership to ATrack = $45 annually or $90 for a lifetime.
  • All textbooks and supplemental materials are required for each course.
  • Additional costs may be associated depending on clinical/immersive experience location.

All costs listed above are estimated as of August 2023.



Page last modified March 12, 2024