Undergraduates, who are currently enrolled at Marshall University, may be accepted to the Accelerated Graduate Degree in Criminal Justice. This can reduce the number of hours required to complete their Bachelor’s degree by the number of graduate hours they complete (up to a maximum of 12 hours). Applicants must meet all other degree requirements for their Bachelor’s degree while they work on their Master’s degree. This program option works best for students who have mostly free electives remaining to complete their degree. None of the other credit hours used for the Bachelor’s degree can be counted toward the Master’s degree. Graduate coursework/credit will appear only on the graduate transcript, and graduate course grades will be calculated at the graduate level. For a description of the graduate program curriculum, please visit Online Master of Science in Criminal Justice.

Advantages of an Accelerated Degree

• complete the Bachelor’s degree with up to 12 fewer credit hours, (must meet all other degree requirements for the Bachelor’s degree);
• begin work on the master’s degree during the senior year;
• complete up to 12 graduate credits at undergraduate tuition rates;
• earn a bachelor’s and master’s degree in less time.

Eligibility Requirements for the Accelerated Graduate Degree Program in Criminal Justice

• must have completed at least 90 hours toward the Bachelor’s degree;
• must have at least a 3.30 overall undergraduate GPA;
• must have at least a 3.50 GPA in the major;
• must submit two reference letters, a personal statement, a graduate application and fee but are exempt from submitting GRE scores and a final transcript.

How to Apply

1. During the junior or senior year, eligible students should meet with their Undergraduate Advisor and the Director of Graduate Studies of their chosen graduate degree program to submit the Accelerated Graduate Degree (AGD) Application AND to develop an AGD Plan of Study.
2. The student’s acceptance into the AGD program is subject to the approval of the Plan of Study by the Dean of the Graduate College.
3. After being accepted into the AGD program, students must apply for official admission to the chosen graduate degree program for the first semester after the Bachelor’s degree is awarded. Applications should be submitted during the last semester of the senior year.

Requirements for Continuation in the AGD Degree Program

Students must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 for all graduate credit toward their graduate degree program.

Withdrawal from the AGD

A student may withdraw at any time from an approved AGD program by informing the Undergraduate Advisor, the Director of Graduate Studies, and the Dean of the Graduate College in writing. A student’s status will then revert to the standard undergraduate degree program. Any graduate hours earned must be approved for use in fulfillment of bachelor’s degree requirements by the student’s Undergraduate Dean.

From Undergraduate to Graduate Student

Beginning with the semester after the student has earned the Bachelor’s degree and has been accepted into a graduate degree program, the student is enrolled in the Graduate College and is assessed tuition and fees at the graduate rate. All rules regarding graduate education will apply to the student once admitted into the graduate degree program.

For more information about the AGD in Criminal Justice, contact Dr. Stephen Young at young250@marshall.edu.