Accelerated BA/MA Program

Overview

With a rigorous pace, undergraduate students may double count up to 12 credits and obtain a non-thesis master’s degree in the same field within 12 months of completing the bachelor’s degree.

Eligibility Requirements

To be admitted into the ABM program, students must satisfy the following requirements:

1. Students must have completed a minimum of seventy-five (75) and a maximum of ninety-six (96) credit hours in their undergraduate programs, including credits earned from advanced placement.
2. Transfer students must have completed a minimum of two semesters as a full-time student at NC State, a minimum of 24 hours.
3. Students must have a minimum accumulated grade point average (GPA) of 3.5/4.0 at NC State.

Rules Governing Participation and Graduation

1. Students must complete the Baccalaureate degree prior to entering the Master’s program. Students in the ABM may not elect to by-pass the Baccalaureate degree.
2. Students must receive a grade of B (3.0/4.0) or better in the double-counted graduate level (*)(500-level or higher) courses. Courses with a grade of B- or below cannot be double-counted between the two degrees.
3. No more than twelve (12) hours of graduate work may be counted towards the requirements of both degrees.
4. Students must complete the Master’s degree within 12 months from the completion of the baccalaureate degree. If the Master’s program is not completed within these time limits, none of the courses can be double-counted.
5. Permission to pursue an ABM degree program does not guarantee admission to the Graduate School. Admission is contingent on meeting eligibility requirements at the time of entering the graduate program.

Application to the Accelerated Baccalaureate/Master’s (ABM) Degree Program:

1. A prospective student who meets the eligibility requirements above should fill out the draft ABM Plan of Graduate Work and then contact the Director of Graduate Programs (DGP). The Plan of Graduate Work for the Master’s degree will indicate:
   • The courses (a maximum of 12 graduate credit hours) that will be double counted for both Baccalaureate and Master’s degrees, 
   • The courses that will be taken after matriculating into the graduate program,
   • The graduation date for the Master’s degree that meets the time limit for the ABM program (i.e. obtaining a non-thesis Master’s degree in the same field within 12 months of completing the Baccalaureate degree).
2. The prospective student meets with the DGP for discussion and approval of the plan. A copy of these guidelines will be furnished during that meeting.
3. The student then meets with the Director of Undergraduate Advising for discussion and approval of the plan. The signed plan is then returned to the DGP.
4. The form is forwarded to the Graduate School for approval.
5. After students receive plan approval from the DGP they complete their remaining year of the undergraduate degree, requesting course registration approval from the DGP during the registration period.
6. Applicants follow the standard application process for admission to the Graduate School according to the usual deadlines.
7. Upon review of the materials submitted by the Director of Undergraduate Advising and the Director of Graduate Programs to the Graduate School, a letter of acceptance (or denial) to the Master’s program, contingent on meeting the ABM requirements, will be sent to the student with a copy to the Director of Undergraduate Advising and the Director of Graduate Programs.
8. Any changes to the ABM Plan of Graduate Work must be submitted in writing to and approved by the Dean of the Graduate School.

Withdrawal and Ineligibility

1. A student may at any time withdraw from an approved ABM program, by informing the Director of Undergraduate Advising and the Director of Graduate programs in writing. A copy of this should be sent to the Graduate School.
2. If a student completes the Baccalaureate degree requirements with an accumulated GPA of less than 3.5/4.0, then he/she is no longer eligible to pursue the ABM program.
3. A student who does not follow the approved Plan of Graduate Work may become ineligible to participate in the ABM program.
4. It is the responsibility of the student to recognize his/her eligibility status. If a student becomes ineligible to participate in the ABM degree program, the Director of Graduate Programs should inform the student in writing of his/her ineligibility. A copy of this letter to the student should be sent to the Graduate School.
5. A student who is ineligible to participate in (or withdraws from) the ABM program, cannot double count any courses for both the Baccalaureate and Master’s degrees.

Requirements

Application for admission to the Graduate School will be made prior to the senior year (a minimum of seventy-five (75) and a maximum of ninety-six (96) credit hours). The required 30 hours of credit for the Master of Arts degree will be derived as follows:

As an Undergraduate Student during Senior Year (12 hours)

• 12 hours (maximum) of graduate-level courses double-counted toward both the B.A. and the M.A., as recommended by the academic advisor

As a Graduate Student (18 hours)

• 18 hours of graduate courses, E.g.: WL 507, WLFR/WLFS 502, WLFR/WLFS525, WLFR/WLSP592, or any other 500- to 600-level courses recommended by the academic advisor.

Note 1: Students may not receive credit for both of any pair of dual-level courses
Note 2: The Master of Arts degree must be completed within one year from date of enrollment in the Graduate School