Accelerated Bachelor's-to-Master's Programs

• Browse the list of approved accelerated programs.
• Read about the program curriculum in the Catalog.
• Contact NDSU Graduate School admissions to learn more about programs you’re eligible for and graduate funding opportunities.

Most accelerated programs allow students to complete both degrees in approximately five years, depending on the program and course sequencing.

Up to 15 graduate credits may be applied toward both bachelor’s and master’s degrees with departmental approval.

Your undergraduate academic advisor is the best place to start for planning an accelerated degree pathway — connect with your academic advisor through Bison Advise. You should also connect with the Graduate School or faculty in the accelerated program you’re interested in to learn more.

You must have completed a minimum of 60 undergraduate credits and have a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.00 (some programs may require a higher GPA).

Qualified students must complete the Accelerated Degree Program Declaration Form.

• This form requires you to obtain the signature of the participating department chair or head and to identify the graduate courses (up to a maximum of 15 credits) that will be taken and used as a substitute for undergraduate courses.
• The declaration form does not automatically register you for the courses indicated. You must register for them in your graduate career per the usual process in Campus Connection.

If declaration is approved, submit an application to the NDSU Graduate School for your intended master’s degree program. The application requirements include:

1. Online application
2. Statement of purpose
3. Resume
4. Letters of recommendation
5. $35 application fee

After you submit your application to the NDSU Graduate School, the admissions team will add your official transcripts to your application file. This process can take a few days. You do not need to request transcripts.

Until a bachelor's degree is officially awarded, students enrolled in accelerated programs are considered undergraduate students for financial aid purposes. Generally, graduate-level courses will not count toward financial aid enrollment status for undergraduate students. However, graduate courses that have been approved by completing the Accelerated Program Declaration Form, and will be used toward undergraduate and graduate degree requirements, may be counted toward undergraduate financial aid enrollment status. Students enrolled in accelerated programs are eligible for Graduate Assistantships for teaching, research or service. Graduate Assistantships typically include a full tuition waiver for graduate courses and a stipend.

To remain eligible for federal financial aid, students must maintain at least six credits (half-time enrollment) that count toward their undergraduate degree each semester. Students should work closely with their academic advisor when planning courses and can work with One Stop to understand how their enrollment may affect financial aid.

If you're enrolled in both undergraduate and graduate programs at the same time, you will be billed separately for each. The tuition cap applies to your undergraduate career if enrolled in thirteen or more credits; the tuition cap does not apply to graduate credits with the exception of architecture students. Mandatory student fees are capped across both careers.

Exception: Students enrolled in both undergraduate and graduate architecture programs will have their tuition capped at the graduate tuition rate. Students with a graduate assistantship should refer to their academic college for tuition waiver eligibility.

Not all master’s programs offer graduate assistantships. But, if your program does offer assistantships, you simply check the box on the application that reads, “I am seeking an assistantship,” to be considered. A separate application for assistantship consideration is not required.

Accelerated students are admitted to the graduate program in conditional standing. To move to full standing, students must:

• Complete the bachelor’s degree (Note: a student must complete a bachelor’s degree at least one semester prior to the term in which a graduate degree is to be conferred. Students cannot earn their undergraduate and graduate degrees in the same semester.)
• Maintain a 3.00 cumulative GPA in graduate classes
• Complete any other conditions outlined in the graduate admission letter
• Meet all admission requirements that would ordinarily be expected of those enrolled in the master’s program

• View the Guidelines for Accelerated Bachelor's-to-Master's Programs in the NDSU catalog for more important information.
• No undergraduate courses can be counted toward a master’s degree.
• Graduate courses will not be considered for undergraduate Dean’s List or undergraduate Graduation with Honor eligibility.
• Before receipt of the bachelor’s degree, the graduate credit included on the declaration form will appear on the undergraduate record as NDSU transfer credit for inclusion on the undergraduate record for degree totals. A transcript note will be added to the NDSU graduate transfer credit to indicate this credit is applied to the undergraduate degree totals.
• Students in an accelerated program cannot earn their bachelor’s and master's in the same semester. They must earn their bachelor's at least one semester prior to the master’s being earned.