Exercise Physiology

Athletic Training Accelerated Bachelor's to Master's (ABM) Program

The Accelerated Bachelor's to Master's (ABM) provides a pathway for well-qualified WVU Exercise Physiology (EXPH) students to enter the Master of Science in Athletic Training (MSAT) program early and complete both their undergraduate and graduate degrees within five years.

Questions? Contact Timmy Eads, Assistant Director of Undergraduate Enrollment Management. 

Early Admission (Entering First-Time Freshmen)

To be eligible for early admission to the ABM, you must: 

  • Be admitted to WVU as an Exercise Physiology major.
  • Have a high school GPA of 3.0 or higher.
  • Place directly into CHEM 110 (Introduction to Chemistry) and MATH 124 (College Algebra), with an ACT Math score of 20 or SAT Math score of 520.

Students may also place into CHEM 110 and MATH 124 through the ALEKs assessment. If you are interested but apply to WVU test optional, you should take the ALEKs assessment as early as possible so that we can evaluate your eligibility for the ABM.

First-time freshmen admitted via the early admission pathway must maintain the standards described under regular admission in order to continue into the ABM program after completing a minimum of 60 credits. 

Regular Admission (Currently Enrolled WVU Students)

Currently enrolled WVU students may apply no earlier than the semester in which they are expected to complete 60 credits and no later than the semester after which they will need two additional semesters to complete the bachelor's degree. 

All early admission students wishing to continue in the ABM and students applying via the regular admission pathway must: 

  • Have a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0, and a prerequisite GPA of 3.0 (with a grade of C or higher in each of the following prerequisite courses (or approved equivalent): 
    • BIOL 101/L: General Biology/Laboratory (4 hrs)
    • CHEM 115/L: Fundamentals of Chemistry/Laboratory (4 hrs)
    • EXPH 440: Anatomy for Exercise Physiology (3 hrs)
    • PHYS 101/L: Introductory Physics/Laboratory (4 hrs)
    • PSIO 241: Elementary Physiology (4 hrs)
    • PSYC 101: Introduction to Psychology (3 hrs)
  • Apply via ATCAS

Additional admission criteria will be required if in effect for the MSAT at time of application.

Student Expectations

Students are expected to remain in compliance with all Exercise Physiology policies and procedures during the undergraduate portion of the program, and with all Athletic Training policies and procedures during the graduate portion. Students must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 in both undergraduate and graduate courses throughout their enrollment. Eligibility to remain in the ABM will be evaluated at the end of each semester, and may be placed on program probation for no more than one semester.

Curriculum

Students completing the EXPH to AT ABM will typically begin taking graduate Athletic Training coursework during the summer after their third year. Course descriptions are available via the West Virginia University Academic Catalog (Undergraduate and Graduate).

A suggested plan of study is available here, but some variation may occur for students who apply dual enrollment credits or who place directly into CHEM 115. Students should work closely with their undergraduate advisor to ensure on-time progression.

Student Classification and Tuition

Typically, students will be classified as undergraduate students for 3.5 years of the accelerated program (through fall of their fourth year). They will be charged undergraduate tuition rates for as long as they are classified as undergraduates, regardless of whether they are taking undergraduate or graduate/professional courses. During the time they are classified as undergraduates, financial aid and/or scholarships that are only available to undergraduates will apply - but once a student is converted to graduate/professional status, they will be charged at the appropriate graduate tuition rate and will no longer be able to apply undergraduate financial aid or scholarships.