Graduate Council

Accelerated Master’s Degree

Accelerated Master’s Degree (AMD)

Marshall University offers an accelerated path through a number of its Master’s degree programs. We encourage qualified undergraduates to consider doing an accelerated Master’s degree. Accelerated Master’s Degree Description.

Programs that wish to offer the Accelerated Master’s Degree must submit a proposal to Graduate Council.Please read the Guidelines before you begin.

Guidelines for an Accelerated Master’s Degree Proposal

Requests can be made through CourseLeaf CIM.

CourseLeaf CIM Instructions

Undergraduates accepted into an AGD program can begin taking graduate coursework during their junior year. Programs offering an accelerated master’s degree option may allow up to 12 hours of graduate level coursework. Programs offering an accelerated doctoral degree option may allow up to 18 hours of graduate level coursework.

Graduate coursework/credit will appear ONLY on the graduate transcript, and graduate course grades will be calculated at the graduate level.

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 junior 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 Accelerated Master’s Degree Program

  • must have completed at least 60 hours toward the Bachelor’s degree;
  • must have at least a 3.30 overall undergraduate GPA;
  • must have at least a 3.30 GPA in the major;
  • must meet the admission requirements of the chosen Master’s degree program.

Note: Accelerated Master’s Degree programs may have admission requirements that differ from the admission requirements for the regular Master’s degree. For example, some departments might waive the required admission test, such as the GRE, GMAT or Miller Analogies. Students should check with the chosen Master’s degree program.

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 Master’s degree program to develop an Accelerated Master’s Degree Plan of Study. The Plan of Study form is available from the Graduate College office or online at the Graduate College website. The completed, signed, and approved Plan of Study must be submitted to the Graduate College. Any changes to the Accelerated Master’s Degree Plan of Study must be approved by the Undergraduate Advisor and Director of Graduate Studies and submitted in writing to the Dean of the Graduate College.
  2. The student’s acceptance into the Accelerated Master’s Degree program is subject to the approval of the Plan of Study by the Dean of the Graduate College.
  3. Students accepted into the Accelerated Master’s Degree program should apply for admission to the chosen Master’s 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 Accelerated Master’s Degree Degree Program
Students must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 for all graduate credit toward their Master’s degree program.

Withdrawal from the Accelerated Master’s Degree
A student may withdraw at any time from an approved Accelerated Master’s Degree 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 Master’s 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 Master’s degree program.

NOTE: Departments wishing to have an Accelerated Master’s Degree degree program must apply to the Graduate Council for approval.

The Graduate College will have administrative responsibility for the Accelerated Master’s Degree.