Dual Degree Program in ESS: Pre-Professional Track and Athletic Training

The ES/AT Dual Degree Program enables a student to receive both a Bachelor of Science degree in the ESS: exercise science pre-professional major and a Master of Science degree in athletic training. Students apply for admission to the ESS: exercise science pre-professional major first, and then later, to the Athletic Training Graduate Program. Students typically complete the undergraduate requirements in three years followed by 23 months in the Athletic Training Graduate Program.

The ESS-Exercise Science Pre-Professional Track BS and Athletic Training MS Dual Degree Program requires two separate application processes. Students must first gain admission to the undergraduate ESS-Exercise Science Pre-Professional Program. After being admitted to the undergraduate program, students prepare their application to the graduate program in athletic training.

Applying to the undergraduate program

Admission to ESS-Exercise Science Pre-Professional Track is competitive and not all who apply may be accommodated.

1.  To be considered for admission to ESS-Exercise Science Pre-Professional Track, the student must have completed at least 30 semester credits, including general education credits and two pre-admission courses (BIO 105 or MIC 100 and HPR 105) with a grade of at least "C" in each of these courses and a cumulative GPA of at least 3.00.
2. Applications for admission are accepted in the fall semester (deadline of October 1) and the spring semester (deadline of February 1). All candidates must meet academic requirements and professional and personal qualifications to be approved by the Exercise Science Advisory Committee. Consideration for selection is based on the following criteria:
   1. A cumulative UWL GPA of 3.00 or higher;
   2. Grade of "C" or better in BIO 105 or MIC 100;
   3. Grade of "C" or better in HPR 105;
   4. Two professional job shadows;
   5. Extra-curricular experiences related to the emphasis; and
   6. Narrative statement content and technical writing quality.

Applying to the graduate program

Students are selected into the Athletic Training Graduate Program through a competitive application process. Admission to the ESS-Exercise Science Pre-Professional Track does not guarantee admission to the Athletic Training Graduate Program.

To be considered for admission to the graduate program​, the student must:

1. Be a current student accepted into the ESS: Exercise Science Pre-Professional Track Program and who has completed at least 60 undergraduate credits.
2. Have a minimum cumulative UWL GPA of 3.0.

Specific information about application requirements, due dates, and procedures can be found on the Athletic Training Graduate Program website. ES/AT dual degree students must also submit a form through the Athletic Training Central Application System (ATCAS).

Continuing in program

Students admitted into the Athletic Training Graduate Program must maintain a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA in all course work (4.0 scale) and demonstrate clinical progression. Failure to meet any one of these retention criteria requires the student to be on probationary status. If the student does not meet all criteria in two consecutive terms, the student will be removed from the program.

If an admitted ES/AT dual degree student does not successfully complete the graduate program's Year 1 Summer and/or Fall courses, a maximum of nine graduate credits can be utilized to complete an undergraduate degree. ES/AT dual degree students who leave - or are dismissed from - the graduate program during the graduate Year 1 Summer or Fall terms must complete additional courses to finish the undergraduate ESS: Exercise Science Pre-Professional Track Program, including CHM 104, ESS 383, a BIO or MIC course (excluding BIO 105, BIO 312, and BIO 313) , and a SOC course. These students must also satisfy the College of Science and Health core requirements.

If a student chooses to leave the program and wants to re-enter later, they must seek the approval from the Athletic Training Program Committee. Courses are taught once per academic year and therefore, the student should resume when the next needed course is offered.

Bachelor of Science

• All courses required in the undergraduate ESS: exercise science pre-professional track portion of the ES/AT Dual Degree Program must be passed with a minimum grade of "C" or better with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better (4.0 scale).
• All undergraduate program and university requirements must be met. 
• The 25 credits from the Athletic Training Graduate Program's Year 1 Summer and Fall terms apply to both the bachelor and master degree credit totals, which includes the following graduate courses: ATS 700, ATS 701,  ATS 702, ATS 710,  ATS 712, ATS 731, and ATS 740.  Qualifying students will be awarded the Bachelor of Science degree after satisfactory completion of the graduate program's Year 1 Summer and Fall terms.
• It is recommended that students submit their intent to graduate after enrolling for graduate Year 1 Fall classes.

Master of Science

• All graduate-level courses must be completed with a "C" or better in each course. 
• A cumulative GPA of 3.0 (4.0 scale) in all graduate courses is required for graduation from graduate school.

(College of Science and Health)

108-110 credits, excluding general education credits

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Credits in these courses count toward both the undergraduate and graduate degrees. Once these courses are completed, students are eligible to receive their bachelor's degree.

All students must complete the general education, college core, major/minor, and university degree requirements in order to qualify for a degree. The easiest way to track all of these requirements is to refer to the Advisement Report (AR) found in the Student Information System (WINGS) Student Center. All enrolled students have access to the AR.  

• General education
• Baccalaureate degree requirements
• Master of Science in athletic training requirements

Baccalaureate degree requirements

Candidates for the Bachelor of Arts or the Bachelor of Science degrees must accomplish the following:

1. Fulfill the general education requirements.
2. Complete at least one ethnic studies (diversity) course.
3. Complete the courses prescribed by the Undergraduate Curriculum Committee for the degree desired in the respective school or college.
4. Earn a minimum of 120 semester credits with at least a 2.00 cumulative GPA.^{1, 2}
5. At least 40 credits must be earned in 300/400 level courses. Transfer courses earned or transferred at the 300/400 level apply to this requirement.
6. Complete major and minor requirements with at least a 2.00 GPA^{1, 2} in each major and minor (and concentration or emphasis, if selected).
7. A minimum of 30 semester credits in residence at UWL is required for graduation. (See undergraduate resident requirement.)
8. Submit an application for graduation via the "Apply for Graduation" link in the WINGS Student Center as soon as the student has registered for his or her final semester or summer term in residence. December and winter intersession graduates should apply by May 1. May and summer graduates should apply by December 1.

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Grade point average requirements for some programs will be considerably higher than 2.00. Re-entering students may be required to earn credits in excess of the 120 needed for graduation in any curriculum in order to replace credits earned in courses in which the content has changed substantially in recent years. Each case will be judged on its own merit.

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The grade point average recorded at the time the degree is awarded will not be affected by future enrollment.

No degree will be awarded unless all requirements are fulfilled and recorded within 30 days after the official ending date of each term.

Below is a sample degree plan that can be used as a guide to identify courses required to fulfill the major and other requirements needed for degree completion. A student's actual degree plan may differ depending on the course of study selected (second major, minor, etc.). Also, this sample plan assumes readiness for each course and/or major plan, and some courses may not be offered every term. Review the course descriptions or the class timetable for course offering information.

The sample degree plans represented in this catalog are intended for first-year students entering UWL in the fall term. Students should use the Advisement Report (AR) in WINGS and work closely with their faculty advisor(s) and college dean’s office to ensure declaration and completion of all requirements in a timely manner.

General Education Program
The general education curriculum (Gen Ed) is the common educational experience for all undergraduates at UWL. Sample degree plans include Gen Ed placeholders to ensure completion of the general education requirements. Courses may be rearranged to fit the needs or recommendations of the student’s program of study. Gen Ed courses may be taken during winter term (January between the semesters) and summer to reduce the course load during regular terms (fall and spring). Students should consult with their advisor and/or the college academic services director in their college/school for assistance with course and schedule planning. Refer to the general education requirements for more specific details.

At least 40 credits of the 120 credits required must be earned at the 300/400-level. 

Note: New students and transfer students with less than 12 credits earned are required to take FYS 100 First-Year Seminar (3 cr.) during one of their first two semesters at UWL.

This sample degree plan does not establish a contractual agreement. It identifies the minimum requirements a student must successfully complete, to qualify for a degree, in a format intended to assist the student in planning their academic career. Actual degree plans may differ.

This major is exempt from the CSH College Core requirement. 

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Students may earn credit by examination for ESS 201. Interested students should check with the ESS department and the CSH Dean's Office to make arrangements for taking the test.