Undergraduates accepted to a Biological Sciences Accelerated Graduate Degree (AGD) program can begin taking graduate level classes while still in the senior year of their undergraduate program. Up to 12 graduate credit hours of 500- and 600-level graduate courses can be used for both the undergraduate and graduate level coursework and will help facilitate an easy and fast transition into our graduate program if a student is accepted. Please see your advisor or email biology@marshall.edu to discuss the program. 

A student in an AGD program can complete the undergraduate degree in biological sciences substituting up to 12 graduate credit hours of 500- and 600-level graduate courses for credit hours that were required at the undergraduate level. Students who are in an undergraduate area of emphasis should choose graduate level coursework that is applicable to that emphasis to use toward their undergraduate degree. 

Graduate coursework/credit will appear only on the graduate transcript, and graduate course grades will be calculated towards the graduate GPA.

Undergraduates can apply for a Biological Sciences AGD during their junior year or senior year. Students accepted to an Accelerated Graduate Degree (AGD) program can begin taking graduate level classes while in the senior year of their undergraduate program. 

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Eligibility Requirements for AGD 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 graduate degree program, apart from the receipt of a bachelor’s degree. Students must earn a bachelor’s degree to be fully admitted into the graduate degree program.

How to Apply

1. During the junior or senior year, eligible students should meet with their Undergraduate Advisor and faculty in the Department of Biological Sciences to identify an advisor for their graduate degree. The student and their graduate advisor should then develop an AGD plan of study. Any changes to the AGD plan of study must be approved by the undergraduate advisor and the Department of Biological Sciences in writing to the dean of the college housing the graduate program.
2. Students should apply for the AGD using the online form www.marshall.edu/graduate/current-students/forms-and-information/
3. The student’s acceptance into the AGD program is subject to the approval of the plan of study by the dean of the college housing the graduate program.
4. Students accepted into the AGD program should apply for admission to the chosen graduate degree program for the first semester after the bachelor’s degree is awarded. Admission applications should be submitted during the last semester of the senior year.

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 the AGD by informing in writing the undergraduate advisor, the Department of Biological Sciences and the dean of the college housing the graduate program. The 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 program 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.