Public Administration, Accelerated Graduate Degree

Undergraduates accepted to an Accelerated Graduate Degree (AGD) program can begin taking graduate level classes while still in their undergraduate program. These graduate credits can be used for both the undergraduate and graduate level coursework and will help facilitate an easy and fast transition into a graduate program if a student is accepted. To be accepted into the AGD, please see your advisor to see if you qualify for one of these positions.

Undergraduates accepted into an AGD program can begin taking graduate coursework during their junior or senior year. Programs offering an AGD option may allow up to 12 hours of graduate level coursework to also count towards an undergraduate degree.

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

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.

AGD programs may have admission requirements that differ from the admission requirements for the regular graduate degree. For example, some departments might waive the required admission test, such as the GRE or GMAT. Students should check with the chosen graduate 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 graduate degree program to develop an AGD plan of study. Any changes to the AGD plan of study must be approved by the undergraduate advisor and director of graduate studies in writing to the dean of the college housing the graduate program.
2. 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.
3. 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 director of graduate studies 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.