Accelerated Master’s Degree and Combined Baccalaureate/Master’s Degree Programs

Undergraduate students of the University with outstanding undergraduate records may apply for early admission to a master’s degree program through either the Accelerated Master’s Degree Program or the Combined Baccalaureate/Master’s Degree Program.

An undergraduate student, who plans to go on to graduate study in Community Counseling, Health Administration, Human Resources, Nursing, Rehabilitation Counseling, School Counseling,  or numerous programs in the field of Education may be eligible for admission to the Accelerated Master’s Degree Program. This program allows an undergraduate student who has an excellent academic record, to complete requirements for the baccalaureate, while also enrolling in graduate courses. In participating undergraduate programs, students may apply up to 12 of their accumulated graduate hours toward the completion of their undergraduate degree requirements. (Each participating department determines the maximum number of hours applicable to the undergraduate degree requirements.)  In some departments, graduate course work may be substituted only for elective undergraduate course work and cannot be used as substitution within the major. The student’s undergraduate advisor, in consultation with the graduate program director, will recommend graduate coursework that will meet undergraduate requirements. The selection of the graduate course work and the number of credits to be applied toward an undergraduate degree requires the approval of the student’s undergraduate program advisor, the chair of the department housing the student’s undergraduate program, the graduate program director in the student’s academic discipline, the appropriate dean who is responsible for the undergraduate program, and the Dean of CGCE.  Students will earn their undergraduate degree upon completion of all undergraduate requirements and will then continue with their graduate study.  Graduate coursework taken as part of the undergraduate program will also count toward the graduate degree program.

An undergraduate student, who plans to go on to graduate study in Accounting, Biochemistry, Chemistry, or Software Engineering, may be eligible for admission to the Combined Baccalaureate/Master’s Degree Program. This program allows an undergraduate student already enrolled in one of these fields, and who has an excellent academic record, to complete requirements for the baccalaureate, while also electing graduate courses. Departments participating in this program may allow some graduate work to satisfy undergraduate degree requirements (not to exceed 12 credit hours). The student’s advisor will recommend the undergraduate course work for which graduate credits may be substituted. The selection of the graduate course work and the number of credits to be applied toward an undergraduate degree requires the approval of the student’s undergraduate program advisor, the chair of the department housing the student’s undergraduate program, the graduate program director in the student’s academic discipline, the appropriate dean who is responsible for the undergraduate program, and the Dean of CGCE. In each Combined Program, the graduate level capstone experience replaces the required undergraduate capstone experience.  As a result, the Combined Baccalaureate/Master’s Degree student will complete his/her baccalaureate degree the same semester as he/she completes the master’s degree. Often, the student entering the Combined Baccalaureate/Master’s Degree Program will complete both programs during a five-year time period.

A student who has achieved an overall Grade Point Average of

3.5 after 64 semester hours,
3.4 after 80 semester hours,
3.3 after 96 semester hours, or
3.2 after 112 semester hours

may apply for early admission to a participating master’s degree program by:

A. Completing the Application for Graduate Admission;
B. Completing either the Accelerated Master’s Degree or the Combined Baccalaureate/Master’s Degree Program form that includes:

1. listing the courses at the undergraduate level that need to be taken for completion of the requirements for the baccalaureate degree;
2. indicating the beginning date for graduate study, and
3. listing of graduate courses to be utilized in satisfying the undergraduate degree requirements;

C. Completing a prospectus of study leading to the completion of undergraduate degree and graduate degree requirements;
D. Providing three letters of recommendation from instructors who are familiar with the student’s achievements and intended academic goals; and
E. Submitting any needed test scores from standardized examinations.

The department that sponsors the particular graduate degree program will review the completed application and forward a recommendation to the graduate dean concerning possible admission.

NOTE: A student, who has earned credits elsewhere, including transfer of credit from other colleges as well as AP courses taken in high school, may be considered for an accelerated or combined program. The student must have earned at least 32 graded semester hours at The University of Scranton within the indicated GPA requirements.

For further information concerning possible participation in the Accelerated Master’s Degree Program or Combined Baccalaureate/Master’s Degree Program, please refer to the Graduate Studies Catalog, or contact the CGCE Office of Student Services and Advising at (570) 941-7580. You may also contact the following offices directly: