2024-2025 Undergraduate & Graduate Catalog

Combined Bachelor of Science in Allied Health Science General Emphasis and Master of Athletic Training

Qualified undergraduates may be admitted to a combined bachelor's/master's degree program and obtain both a B.S. in allied health sciences (A.H.S.) and a Master of Athletic Training (MAT) within an accelerated time frame. Students admitted to the combined degree program may use up to 12 credits of graduate work in partial satisfaction of the requirements for the undergraduate degree. In alignment with university policy, a maximum of 12 credit hours of graduate work may count toward both the graduate and undergraduate degrees. After completing 120 credits (to include the 12 credits of MAT graduate courses) and all requirements for the A.H.S. degree as outlined below, students are awarded a bachelor's degree and are eligible to continue with the MAT.

The MAT degree constitutes a minimum of 62 credits; the A.H.S./MAT Combined Degree has a minimum of 50 credits remaining for the master's degree after completion of the bachelor's degree 120 credits. Note: The undergraduate degree only allows 12 credits to dual count toward the combined degree, leaving 50 graduate credit hours remaining. Upon completion of the MAT program, graduates will be qualified to sit for voluntary professional certification by taking the Board of Certification (BOC) Examination for Athletic Trainers.

Application Requirements to the Combined Degree:

Students may apply to the Master of Athletic Training program in their junior year (after the completion of 55+ credit hours prior to application) for the upcoming fall cohort (senior year status). Students will be notified of acceptance by January 15th, after the early admissions deadline (Oct. 15th). If the application is submitted after this date, there is a rolling admissions process until April, or until all positions are filled. All applications will be received through the ATCAS system (http://atcas.liaisoncas.com). ATCAS requirements for application include:

Junior-level standing (after the completion of 55+ credit hours prior to application)
Minimum overall GPA of a 3.0
Personal statement
Completion of supplemental questions
Two completed and received letters of recommendation
Resume
Completion of 35 hours of observation
Basic Life Support (CPR/AED) and First Aid certifications:
Completion of all prerequisite coursework with a grade of a C or better. Students may complete prerequisites during their junior year. Acceptance into the program is provisional, pending the completion of any prerequisite coursework prior to the start of the program.

Graduation Requirements for Combined Degree:

Students who are accepted to the combined degree will take courses in the A.H.S. General Emphasis and use the MAT courses as a substitution for the required minor.

In years one to three students will complete:

A.H.S. Core classes: 22 credits
A.H.S. General emphasis: 30 credits
MAT Prerequisite courses (non-duplicated): 22 credits
General Education and Basic skills (non-duplicated): 29 credits
Elective Credit: 5 credits

Total credits: 108

In the second half of the summer semester, between years three and four, students will start the MAT Program by taking ATH 510 - Foundational Concepts and Techniques in Athletic Training (3 credits).

Total credits: 3

In the fall of year 4, students will complete the following MAT courses:

Total credits: 13

Courses which will count in both the B.S. and MAT degrees are:

Total credits: 12

Combined Degree Credit Totals:

Years 1-3: 108 credits

Year 4 (summer and 1st full semester in MAT): (12 credits counted in both B.S. and MAT degrees)

Total credits in B.S.: 120

Total credits in MAT: 62-63

Students will graduate with their Bachelor of Science degree in Allied Health Sciences with a General Emphasis after completing 120 credits (to include the 12 credits of MAT graduate courses), as listed above. All requirements for the B.S. degree must be completed by the end of the first year of the MAT Program.

Graduation without completion of the Graduate Program:

The AHS Bachelor of Science with a general emphasis requires students to choose a minor to obtain their degree. The MAT coursework serves in place of the allied health sciences with a general emphasis minor requirement. For students who were not accepted into the program or chose not to complete the graduate coursework, the Allied Health Sciences Program would require them to take all 108 credits and required coursework for the minor to be accepted.

Should a student choose not to continue with the AHS-MAT coursework prior to completing all MAT prerequisites, CHM 231: Introduction to Organic Chemistry and an alternative minor must be completed to obtain the Allied Health Sciences with a General Emphasis degree.

For those students who are accepted to the MAT Program and at some point decide to pursue only the undergraduate degree, the Allied Health Science Program will recognize up to 12 credits of the graduate coursework completed (e.g. ATH 506, ATH 510, ATH 514, ATH 521) as credit toward completion of the undergraduate degree. Credit from these graduate courses cannot be used toward a graduate degree at GVSU at a later date.

Plan of Study - Combined Degree with Master of Athletic Training

B.S. in Allied Health Sciences

Core Courses

Major core courses include 22 credits:

Individual emphases require a Capstone course:

AHS 495 - Issues in Health Professions (3 credits)

B.S. Courses

Required courses include:

Emphasis in General Allied Health Sciences

Emphasis Courses

Anatomy and Physiology:

Combined Degree with Master of Athletic Training Coursework

Students must complete the following MAT courses starting in the summer between year three and four, and into the fall of year four. Twelve credits will dual count in the B.S. and MAT: