Accelerated Degree Programs

Application of an ABM combined curriculum plan of study requires:

• Submission of an ABM application by the undergraduate student seeking admission
   
• Submission of any additional program‐specific application materials. Unless required by the graduate program, English language proficiency, GRE or GMAT scores, letters of reference, and transcripts from other institutions attended are not required for undergraduate students seeking admission to an approved ABM combined curriculum plan of study.
   
• Approval of admission from the Undergraduate Advisor, Graduate Coordinator, and Department Head in the degree‐granting department as well as their Academic College Dean and the Dean of the Graduate School

• A student may enroll in only one ABM.
   
• No more than 9 graduate credit hours (in a 30‐ or 33‐hour master’s degree program) or 12 hours (in a 36‐hour or greater master’s degree program) may be double counted toward the requirements of both degrees. Only graduate‐level courses may be counted toward graduate degree requirements.
   
• ABM students may register for a maximum of 6 hours of graduate credit per semester and total combined registration (both graduate and undergraduate) may not exceed 16 credit hours during a regular semester or 9 credit hours during a summer session.
   
• ABM students must earn a grade of B or better in all double‐counted graduate‐level courses. Graduate courses in which a grade lower than B may be counted toward satisfaction of the baccalaureate degree requirements but not toward the master’s degree requirements.
   
• ABM students must maintain an overall graduate GPA of 3.0 or higher, earn a grade of B or better in all ABM graduate‐level courses, and follow the approved ABM plan of study. If a student falls below an overall graduate GPA of 3.0, does not follow the approved ABM plan of study, or completes the baccalaureate degree requirements with an overall undergraduate GPA of less than 3.0, the student cannot double‐count graduate credit hours and is ineligible to continue in the ABM plan of study.
   
• No more than 12 graduate credit hours may be earned while still completing the requirements for the baccalaureate degree.
   
• ABM students retain their undergraduate status, and thus are assessed undergraduate tuition and fee rates, until they are awarded the baccalaureate degree. 
   
• ABM students are not eligible for graduate assistantship or fellowship appointments, graduate scholarships, graduate‐level student worker pay rates, or financial aid for graduate studies until the baccalaureate degree has been conferred.
   
• ABM students cannot opt to bypass the bachelor’s degree. The baccalaureate degree must be awarded following completion of the undergraduate degree requirements and at least two semesters before the graduate degree is awarded.
   
• At the time of application for the baccalaureate degree, students must apply for regular admission to the Graduate School. Upon review of the application and confirmation that the student has met ABM requirements including conferral of the baccalaureate degree, provisional admission is changed to regular admission to graduate studies for the academic term following conferral of the baccalaureate degree.
   
• All master’s degree requirements must be completed within six calendar years following admission to the ABM plan of study.
   
• ABM students may withdraw voluntarily from the ABM plan of study at any time. To do so, they must notify the Graduate School in writing. A copy of the request to withdraw should be sent to their Undergraduate Advisor and Graduate Coordinator.
   
• If an ABM student voluntarily withdraws from the ABM plan of study, does not meet the ABM continuation requirements, completes the baccalaureate degree requirements with an overall undergraduate GPA of less than 3.0, requests admission to any other graduate program, does not complete the approved master’s degree requirements within the prescribed time, or otherwise becomes ineligible, the student cannot double‐count graduate credit hours. In such instances, graduate credits earned as an ABM student would be counted toward satisfaction of the bachelor’s degree requirements but not toward the master’s degree requirements.
   

Other Considerations

• Financial Aid: Students with financial aid (loans, grants, and/or scholarships) accepted into an ABM should consult with the Office of Student Financial Aid before registering for courses. Undergraduate financial aid will only be applied to the statement of account if students are enrolled in the correct number of hours for undergraduate courses, not a combination of undergraduate and graduate courses.
   
• Undergraduate GPA: Graduate level ABM courses do not count toward the undergraduate GPA.
   
• Undergraduate Honors: Graduate level ABM courses will not count toward Undergraduate Honors (e.g. President's/Dean's lists, Honors Convocation, Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude, Summa Cum Laude).