Accelerated Master's Pathways

Junior Admits

Eligibility 

Individuals currently enrolled in an undergraduate program at CSU, which offers a corresponding accelerated master’s pathway, are eligible to apply if they meet the following criteria:

• Completed at least 60 credit hours of the undergraduate program; and
• Achieved at least a 3.0 CGPA, unless there is a program-specific GPA requirement.

Refer to the specific accelerated program page for additional requirements. Most pathways also require the student to have completed 30 credits at CSU. Many pathways require a personal statement and letter(s) of recommendation.

Benefits 

Admission to an accelerated pathway provides the benefit of registering for 500-level graduate courses, for which the prerequisites are satisfied, without obtaining special permission. Up to 9 credit hours of 500-level courses earned for the undergraduate degree with grades of A, A-, B+ or B may also be applied to the graduate degree, if at the time of completion of the undergraduate program the student has satisfied the required cumulative GPA for admission to the graduate program.

Procedures

1. Graduate Studies will identify eligible junior students for existing pathways and invite them to apply.
2. The eligible undergraduate student submits the application. Application deadlines are September 30 (Fall semester) and March 15 (Spring semester).
3. The application is reviewed by the Program Director of the graduate program.
4. Graduate Studies communicates the decision to the student, and the Registrar’s Office.
5. The Registrar’s Office changes the student’s record to reflect the admission to the accelerated pathway. Note that the student’s status as an undergraduate student does not change.
6. A Kudo is raised in Starfish, and the student is directed to consult with their academic advisor about their program of study.
7. A student in an accelerated pathway may register for 500-level graduate courses, for which the prerequisites have been satisfied, without obtaining special permission.
8. Upon completion of the undergraduate program, the student will remain in the accelerated pathway if they have achieved the cumulative GPA admission requirement of the graduate program and begin the graduate program within 5 semesters (including summers) of graduating.
9. Upon completion of one semester as a graduate student, up to 9 credit hours of 500-level courses earned for the undergraduate degree with grades of A, A-, B+ or B are applied to the student’s graduate record.

Completed 500-level coursework applied to the graduate program is subject to the graduate program time to completion requirements.

Freshman Admits

Eligibility 

Freshmen entering an undergraduate program at CSU, which offers a corresponding accelerated master’s pathway, are eligible to apply for early admission if they have achieved a high-school cumulative grade-point average of at least 3.5. 

For students admitted to the accelerated master's pathway as freshmen, their eligibility to remain in the pathway will be reviewed after completing 60 credit hours. Students are required to maintain at least a 3.0 CGPA, unless there is a higher program-specific GPA requirement. Refer to the specific accelerated program page for additional requirements.

Benefits 

Admission to an accelerated pathway provides the benefit of registering for 500-level graduate courses, for which the prerequisites are satisfied, without obtaining special permission. Up to 9 credit hours of 500-level courses earned for the undergraduate degree with grades of A, A-, B+ or B may also be applied to the graduate degree, if at the time of completion of the undergraduate program the student has satisfied the required cumulative GPA for admission to the graduate program.

Procedures

1. Graduate Studies will identify eligible freshmen students for existing pathways.
2. A flag will be raised in Starfish, inviting the student to apply to the accelerated pathway.
3. The eligible freshman submits the application in Slate. Applications are due by the end of the first term.
4. Graduate Studies verifies the application and notifies the Registrar’s Office.
5. The Registrar’s Office changes the student’s record to reflect the admission to the accelerated pathway. Note that the student’s status as an undergraduate student does not change.
6. A Kudo is raised in Starfish, and the student is directed to consult with their academic advisor about their program of study.
7. After completing 60 credit hours of the undergraduate program, the student’s GPA is reviewed to confirm eligibility to remain in the pathway.
8. A student in an accelerated pathway may register for 500-level graduate courses, for which the prerequisites have been satisfied, without obtaining special permission.
9. Upon completion of the undergraduate program, the student will remain in the accelerated pathway if they have achieved the cumulative GPA admission requirement of the graduate program and begin the graduate program within 5 semesters (including summers) of graduating.
10. Upon completion of one semester as a graduate student, up to 9 credit hours of 500-level courses earned for the undergraduate degree with grades of A, A-, B+ or B are applied to the student’s graduate record.

Completed 500-level coursework applied to the graduate program is subject to the graduate program time to completion requirements.

Accelerated Pathways

Leading from a Bachelor of Science Degree

Leading from a Bachelor of Arts Degree