The 3 + 2 M.S.A.T. degree program allows students to complete a Master of Science in Athletic Training degree in combination with the B.S. in Exercise Science in only 5 years (3 pre-professional years plus 2 professional years leading to two separate degrees). This enrollment option is designed for the traditional residential college student interested in a liberal arts experience combined with professional education in athletic training.
5 years = 2 degrees
BS in Exercise Science + Master of Science in Athletic Training
The B.S. in Exercise Science will be granted in December of the 4th year of study; however, students will have completed all general education and exercise science major requirements by the end of the 3rd year of study (106 credits). The remaining 20 credits required to earn the B.S. degree will be earned through graduate level courses in athletic training taken in the summer between the 3rd and 4th year and during the fall of the 4th year of study.
The Master of Science in Athletic Training is awarded at the end of the 5th year of study and the completion of a total of 73 graduate credits in athletic training. The M.S.A.T. is a year-round, 24-month curriculum that focuses entirely on athletic training professional content and hands-on patient care experiences. The M.S.A.T. requires continuous enrollment and is uniquely designed to teach students how to function in an inter-professional healthcare team that mimics the real dynamic health systems in which they will work. Students will engage in common coursework with other graduate students in Physician Assistant Studies, Physical Therapy, and Pharmacy.

- During the 3 pre-professional years of study, students focus on University general education requirements along with courses required for the exercise science major.
- This curricular design allows students to become fully immersed in the liberal arts experience while gaining valuable insights to sociocultural aspects of health and wellness that are germane to patient care experiences in athletic training.

- The M.S.A.T. curriculum consists of two professional years of study and is rooted in basic sciences, emergency care, orthopedic injury assessment and diagnosis, and therapeutic interventions while offering advanced coursework in gross anatomy with cadaver dissection, clinical decision making, applied neuromuscular and biomechanical concepts, orthopedic casting and bracing, optimizing athletic performance, and pathophysiology.
- The unique curriculum is enhanced through the use of high-fidelity patient simulators, state-of-the-art motion analysis equipment, and exceptional clinical facilities.
- Students will gain in-depth knowledge of evidence-based clinical practice and gain experiences in clinical decision making that are synthesized across concepts spanning the full scope of practice of an athletic trainer with particular focus on musculoskeletal assessment/diagnosis and therapeutic interventions.
- The professional phase of the 3+2 program requires 73 credits of graduate coursework that is completed over the course of 24 months and requires continuous enrollment. Didactic and clinical courses are sequenced to allow for the greatest amount of depth in both content and clinical application.
3 + 2 Option
Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science
Master of Science in Athletic Training
Undergraduate Year One(specific general education sequence may vary based on freshmen year placement) |
Fall - 17 hours | Spring - 17 hours |
BIO 1399 Introduction to Biology with Lab
EXP 1101 President’s seminar
ARTS requirement
ENG 1103 Composition
MTH 1210/1410 Pre-calculus/calculus
(*May be taken during the fall or spring semester) | 4
1
4
4
4 | PHS 2060/2061 Human Physiology/Lab
FYS 1000 First Year Seminar
HST History requirement
EXS 2100 Analysis & Critique*
PEC Activity Course
| 4
4
4
4
1 |
Undergraduate Year Two |
Fall - 17 hours
| Spring - 18 hours
|
ANA 2070/2071 Human Anatomy/Lab
English Literature Requirement
Foreign language I
Psychology (Social Science I)
ATR 1300 Medical Terminology*
(*May be taken during the fall or spring semester) | 4
4
4
4
1
| CHM 1010/1021 General Chemistry I/Lab
Ethics Requirement
EPY 2200 Exercise physiology
Foreign language II
ATR 2100 Responding to Emergencies*
| 4
4
4
4
2
|
Summer School - 8 credits
may not need summer school depending on placement tests, AP credits, & GBS selection |
Social Science II | 4 | | |
Undergraduate Year Three(*May be taken during the fall or spring semester) |
Fall - 17 hours | Spring - 16 hours |
PHY 1510 General physics I
PHY 1511 General physics I lab
NTR 4275 Exercise & Sport Nutrition
WEL 4400 Health Behavior Change
GBS Global studies (must be 3000 level)
ATR 2200 Clinical Observation in Athletic Training*
| 3
1
4
4
4
1
| EXS 3200 Exercise Testing & Prescription
BMC 2300 Biomechanics
WEL 4650 Physical Activity Epidemiology
WEL 4600 or 4675
| 4
4
4
4 |
Professional Year One |
Summer I – 12 credit hours |
ATR 4999/5000 Gross Anatomy
ATR 4901/5101 Foundations of Professional Practice
ATR 4900/5100 Fundamental Skills in Athletic Training
ATR 4902/5102 Managing Medical Emergencies | 5 cr
1 cr
1 cr
5 cr |
Fall I – 16 credit hours |
ATR 4915/5215 Musculoskeletal Assessment and Diagnosis I
ATR 4916/5216 Musculoskeletal Assessment and Diagnosis II
ATR 4917/5217 Spine, Posture, and Movement Assessment
ATR 4918/5218 Clinical Imaging Techniques
ATR 4925/5225 Clinical Decision Making I
ATR 4935/5235 Evidence Based Practice I
ATR 4945/5245 Pediatric Sports Medicine Clinical Rotation | 4 cr
4 cr
2 cr
1 cr
2 cr
1 cr
2 cr
|
Spring I – 14 credit hours |
ATR 5315 Therapeutic Interventions I
ATR 5316 Therapeutic Interventions II
ATR 5317 Manual Therapy Techniques
ATR 5325 Clinical Decision Making II
ATR 5335 Evidence Based Practice II
ATR 5345 Collegiate Sports Medicine Clinical Rotation I
| 4 cr
4 cr
1 cr
2 cr
1 cr
2 cr
|
Professional Year Two |
Summer II – 10 credits |
ATR 6101 General Medical Conditions
ATR 6102 Pathophysiology
ATR 6103 Casting, Bracing, and Orthotics
ATR 6145 Orthopedic Sports Medicine Clinical Rotation
ATR 6445 Pre Season Clinical Rotation
| 3 cr
3 cr
1 cr
1 cr
2 cr
|
Fall II – 14 credits |
ATR 6245 Collegiate Sports Medicine Clinical Rotation II or ATR 6345
ATR 6215 Leadership and Management in Athletic Training
ATR 6315 Optimizing Athletic Performance
ATR 6255 Inter-professional Seminar I
ATR 6217 Therapeutic Interventions III | 4 cr
3 cr
3 cr
1 cr
3 cr |
Spring II – 7 credits |
ATR 6345 Elective Clinical Rotation or ATR 6245
ATR 6235 Evidence Based Practice III
ATR 6317 Seminar in Athletic Training | 4 cr
2 cr
1 cr
|
In order to successfully complete the 73 credit Master of Science in Athletic Training degree program students are required to have an overall graduate GPA of 3.0 and earn a minimum of a C in all professional coursework.
Matriculation in to the M.S.A.T. degree requires a secondary admission process. Once admitted to High Point University as an undergraduate, students will declare a major in Exercise Science/Pre-Athletic Training (BS.EXS.ATR). Students will formally apply to the M.S.A.T. degree late fall or early in the spring of their third pre-professional year (i.e., junior year). Students on the 3+2 track are given priority admission over students applying to the 2 year M.S.A.T. from outside High Point University. Students who meet the requirements to continue their course of study will progress into the graduate phase of their education. Students who do not progress will continue in a course of study resulting only in a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science. Students who do not continue matriculation into the M.S.A.T. will use their fourth year of study to complete undergraduate elective courses of their choice.
Application Process
Students on the 3+2 track will submit their formal application through the Athletic Training Common Application System (AT-CAS) http://atcas.liaisoncas.com before October 15. Applicants will be interviewed during the fall semester with conditional admission decisions made no later than December 31. Full admission will be determined at the end of the spring semester and is contingent upon completion of required prerequisites that may still be in-progress. Students are required to submit updated transcripts for the fall semester to ATCAS by January 1.
Admission Criteria
Admission requirements:
All prospective students must meet the same admission criteria for matriculation into the MSAT program.
- Preferred overall undergraduate GPA 3.0 or greater
- Minimum grade of C or better but preferred B or better in the following courses. Courses may be in-progress at the time of application and admission is contingent upon completion.
- Biology
- Human anatomy with lab
- Human physiology with lab
- General chemistry with lab
- General physics with lab
- Minimum grade of C or better but preferred B or better in the following courses. Courses may be in-progress at the time of application and admission is contingent upon completion.
- Exercise physiology
- Nutrition
- Biomechanics
- Psychology
- Required minimum of 50 hours of clinical observation under the direct supervision of a certified athletic trainer.
- Required current certification in CPR. Either American Red Cross Professional Rescuer CPR or American Heart Association Basic Life Support for Health Care Providers are preferred. Proof of certification required at time of interview.
- Required 2 recommendations from individuals who can attest to the applicant’s ability to succeed in graduate school.
- Non-native speakers of English with international transcripts, regardless of U.S. citizenship, must validate proficiency in the English language. Applicants may submit a satisfactory score on a language proficiency test. If the TOEFL is the chosen test, the minimum required score depends on the form of the exam taken (internet based –79, or paper based –550). A score of at least 6.5 is required on the IELTS.
- Successful completion of an interview with the MSAT Admissions Committee (invitation only).
Prerequisite Coursework
As defined in the MSAT Admission Criteria, specific prerequisite courses are required for admission and matriculation into the professional program. This policy further defines the criteria used to determine the appropriateness of a course for meeting admission and matriculation criteria.
The following courses are required prerequisites with the HPU equivalent course and focus included.
Course
Focus/Title/Content | Lab Required | HPU Equivalent Course | Course Focus | Advanced Placement (AP) Credit Accepted |
General Biology | No | BIO 1500/1501 | Study of the general principles of living systems with a focus on cellular, chemical, and metabolic levels of biological organization. | No |
Human Anatomy | Yes | ANA 2070/2071 | Study of the anatomy of the major systems of the human body. | No |
Human Physiology | Yes | PHS 2060/2061 | Study of the physical and chemical mechanisms in which the human body systems function. | No |
General Chemistry | Yes | CHM 1010/1011 | Matter is examined through the study of the atom, compounds, chemical nomenclature, formulas, periodic table, and chemical reactions. | No |
Physics | Yes | PHY 1510/1511 | Study of the mechanics, properties of matter, waves, sound, and thermodynamics. | No |
Exercise Psychology | No | EPY 2200 | Study of the physiological effects of exercise on the body. | No |
Nutrition | No | NTR 4275 | Study of nutritional concepts including macro and micronutrients. | No |
Biomechanics | No | BMC 2300 | Study of anatomical structures and mechanical aspects of human movement with emphasis on application of physical laws to human movement. | No |
Psychology | No | PSY 2000 | Introduction to the major concepts and theories of psychological topics. | Yes |
Procedures for Verification of Prerequisite Course Completion:
- All prerequisite courses must be completed prior to matriculation into the program which occurs in the summer PY1 semester.
- Applicants must indicate in AT-CAS which course(s) on their official transcript(s) fulfill the prerequisite requirement. Verification of course completion occurs via AT-CAS review.
- High Point University students on the 3+2 MSAT Track should take the courses at HPU or their approved equivalent as determined by the HPU Office of the Registrar.
- Should the title of the course vary significantly from the course list provided in admissions material (e.g., Kinesiology instead of Biomechanics), the MSAT admissions committee will request a copy of the course description and/or course syllabi to verify the focus of the course using the criteria listed in the table above and published at http://www.highpoint.edu/athletictraining/2-year-post-baccalaureate-master-of-science-in-athletic-training/#tab3
- If a student has a pre-requisite course “in progress” at the time of application, they may be admitted contingent upon completion of the course. Matriculation into the professional program will be dependent upon verification of completion via official transcript submitted to the HPU Office of Graduate Admissions.
Post-Admission Requirements
- All students conditionally admitted to and/or enrolled in the MSAT must meet the program’s technical standards and expectations, with or without reasonable accommodations. Compliance with the program’s technical standards alone does not guarantee a student’s eligibility for the BOC certification exam. The MSAT technical standards and associated compliance statement is available at https://www.highpoint.edu/athletictraining/msat-policies-procedures/.
- Verification performed by Castle Branch screening services that the following immunizations are complete in addition to the standard HPU immunization requirements.
- Completed Hepatitis B series
- Varicella vaccine or titer
- Meningococcal vaccine
- Evidence of a negative TB skin test within the past 12 months (must be a 2 part PPD test)
- Tetanus shot within the last 10 years
- Students will be required to obtain a seasonal flu shot each fall semester.
- Students will be required to submit to an annual 12 panel urine drug screen prior to engaging in clinical experiences.
- Students will be required to undergo an annual criminal background check prior to engaging in clinical experiences.
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Scholarships, Tuition & Fees Structure
3+2 Completion Option
Scholarships
If I am a Presidential Scholar will I be able to retain my scholarship as a graduate student?
Presidential Scholars are granted 8 semesters of funding toward the baccalaureate degree. Students on the 3+2 track remain classified as undergraduate students through December of the 4th year of study which equates to 8 semesters due to required summer school. Therefore, students with Presidential Scholarships are eligible to retain those funds until the BS in Exercise Science is awarded in December of the 4th year of study.
Are there scholarships available specifically for students enrolled in the MSAT program?
Unfortunately there are no athletic training specific scholarships available at High Point University. However, students are encouraged to join the National Athletic Trainers’ Association in order to become eligible for scholarships through the NATA Research and Education Foundation once they are admitted to the MSAT program.
Tuition & Fees
What is the tuition structure for the 3+2 Master of Science in Athletic Training program?
Students will pay the undergraduate comprehensive tuition/fee structure for the first three years of study. Once admitted to the professional Master of Science in Athletic Training program students pay the annual MSAT tuition and fee structure that is billed in 6 blocks (summer I, fall I, spring I, summer II, fall II, spring II). A tuition based on the 2022-2023 tuition rates are included below. Please note that the amounts do not reflect tuition/fee increases that may occur annually or room and dining plans available to undergraduate students.
Year at HPU | Tuition/Fee Structure |
Pre-professional year 1 | Undergraduate Tuition/Fee Structure |
Pre-professional year 2 | Undergraduate Tuition/Fee Structure |
Pre-professional year 3 | Undergraduate Tuition/Fee Structure |
Professional year 1
2021-2022 | $41,943 combined tuition and fees for the year paid in 3 blocks |
Fall block = $13,981 tuition and fees |
Spring block = $13,981 tuition and fees |
Summer block = $13,981 tuition and fees |
Professional year 2
*subject to change | $41,943 combined tuition and fees for the year paid in 3 blocks |
Fall block = $13,981 tuition and fees |
Spring block = $13,981 tuition and fees |
Summer block = $13,981 tuition and fees |
Amenities Included in Student Fees | |
Uniforms for clinical rotations | included |
CPR/Professional Rescuer recertification | included |
Annual Typhon clinical tracking fee | included |
Annual Castle Branch document tracking fee | included |
Annual background check | included |
Annual drug screening | included |
Library Services | included |
Campus Parking | included |
Athletic Events | included |
Airport Transportation | included |
Printing | included |
Major Concerts | included |
Cultural Enrichment Events | included |
Fitness Center/Pool | included |
Intramurals and Club Sports | included |
Counseling Services | included |
Health Services | included |
Concierge Services | included |
The following is a breakdown of your direct comprehensive fee costs for the first professional year as well as other estimated allowances making up your “Cost of Attendance.”
| Summer 2022 | Fall 2022 | Spring 2023 |
Tuition/Fees | $13,981 | $13,981 | $13,981 |
Housing Allowance* | $5,000 | $5,000 | $5,000 |
Board Allowance* | $2,000 | $2,000 | $2,000 |
Books/Supplies Allowance | $600 | $600 | $600 |
Transportation | $1,600 | $1,600 | $1,600 |
Total Cost of Attendance | $23,181 | $23,181 | $23,181 |
*Housing and Board Allowances are for students living off-campus. Should on-campus housing be available and if a student signs up to live-on-campus, then these allowances will be replaced with actual housing and dining plan charges. Please email your Financial Planning Counselor if this applies to you.
Other program expenses
Students are responsible for the costs associated with required annual flu shots. All HPU students are required to have proof of health insurance and responsible for any expenses incurred to meet this requirement.
Students are responsible for the cost of textbooks and must have a laptop or mobile device suitable for in-class use and for online learning.
While HPU provides two uniform shirts for clinical rotations, students should be aware that some rotations have clothing contracts (e.g., Nike, adidas) which prohibit the wearing of certain brands. In many but not all cases, those clinical sites will provide clothing for the student.
Students are also responsible for all costs associated with their personal transportation to clinical rotations.Students are responsible for all living costs and should be aware that some clinical rotations occur outside of the immediate High Point region and therefore the student may choose to seek short-term housing opportunities in other areas.
Financial Aid
Many HPU AT students complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) in order to apply for student loans to support their graduate education (School Code 002933). Information about these loans is available in the Office of Student Financial Planning. If you have specific questions, please contact your Student Financial Planning Counselor, Cana Gyongyos Hill, by phone at 336-841-9289 or by email at chill1@highpoint.edu.
Payment
Payment of all tuition and fees is due at the beginning of each term of enrollment.
Application Fee
For each application cycle prospective candidates must pay the AT-CAS application fee and the program designation fee. These fees and policies regarding payment and refund are set by AT-CAS. Additional information is available on their website.
Enrollment Deposit
All applicants accepted into the program will be charged a $200 nonrefundable deposit to hold their seat. This money will be applied toward their first semester tuition upon matriculation.
Withdrawal from HPU / Refund of Paid Tuition
For the High Point University policy on crediting any charges paid based on date of withdrawal, please refer to the information on https://www.highpoint.edu/studentaccounts/withdrawal-information/graduate.