Accelerated Master’s Degree Programs

Approved 9/19/2017

Accelerated master’s degree (AMD) programs offer high achieving students the opportunity to complete their bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in a faster time frame than each degree separately. Students will take both graduate and undergraduate classes when they have junior or senior status and seamlessly transition into their master’s degree program.

Students admitted into an accelerated master’s degree program may count a maximum of twelve (12) hours or 33% of course work towards both the bachelor’s degree and master’s degree. The coursework requires approval of the academic advisor. Courses must be at the 400 level or be a dual credit 300 level course in which the student completes graduate student requirements as outlined in the syllabus. Although a maximum of twelve (12) hours may be shared, some programs have lower limits. Students will complete all degree requirements in both degrees.

Admission Requirements

Bachelors/Masters programs are designed to enhance the opportunities for advanced training for ISU’s most talented undergraduates. Admission to these programs must be highly competitive and will depend upon a positive review of credentials by the program’s admission’s committee. Accordingly, the admission requirements for these programs are higher than those required if the master’s degree were pursued entirely after the receipt of the bachelor’s degree. Minimum requirements include:

• Declared undergraduate major
• Junior based on credit hours earned
• A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.20 for all course work at ISU

Students not eligible for the accelerated program may apply to the master’s degree program through the regular admissions process.

A student should apply for admission to the accelerated sequence in their sophomore/junior year by submitting the department required documents.  Students apply to the graduate program in the semester they graduate from the bachelor's program. Some departments may have different deadlines for applications.

Students will receive conditional admission, pending the review of their grades at the conclusion of the semester of application. Once admitted to the Accelerated Master’s Degree program, students are required to meet the academic standing requirements of the Graduate School. As long as a student remains in good standing, they will automatically be admitted as a graduate student in that program.

Financial Eligibility

Students will be billed based on the degree program in which they currently exist. Students are considered to be an undergraduate student until they complete their bachelor’s degree. Once completed the student becomes a graduate student and is eligible for graduate student funding.

Withdrawal from Accelerated Programs

Students must complete at least one graduate course as an undergraduate to be considered in the accelerated master’s degree program. If the student does not complete this course, or chooses to withdraw from the accelerated program, they will be placed back in their original degree program.

Application for Degree Completion

The undergraduate and graduate degrees will be conferred separately (unlike integrated programs). Undergraduate students will apply for and follow undergraduate commencement procedures to complete their undergraduate degree. The last semester of the graduate degree program, the student will adhere to deadlines and processes for graduate degree commencement. All details of undergraduate commencement are handled in the same manner and by the same timelines as all other undergraduate students. Once in the graduate career, students abide by the graduation deadlines set forth by the Graduate School.