Accelerated Degree Programs

Earn your bachelor's and master's degrees in five years

Perhaps you've heard it referred to as an "accelerated bachelor's-master's" or a "4+1" program. We have nicknamed it the "Faster Master's." Accelerated Degree Programs (ADP) allows current Marquette University undergraduate students to continue on for a master's degree after completing their bachelor's degrees. ADP students take classes during their junior or senior years that meet requirements for both their undergraduate and graduate degrees.

With proper planning, most can complete a master's degree in one additional academic year – saving significant time and money.

Learn more and get started

Contact mugs@mu.edu at the Graduate School for more information on how to get started in any of our ADP programs. 

  • Find Your Program
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Select any of the ADP programs below for more information on faculty contact information and how to apply.

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B.S. and M.S. Accounting

 

When to apply: Junior year of undergraduate studies

Admissions requirements

More information about the program, faculty and course work can be found on the Accounting Department website

 

B.S. and M.S. Accounting Analytics

 

When to apply: Junior year of undergraduate studies

Admissions requirements

More information about the program, faculty and course work can be found on the Graduate School of Management department website

 

B.S. and M.S. Applied Economics

 

When to apply: Junior year of undergraduate studies

Admissions requirements

More information about the program, faculty and course work can be found on the Economics Department website

 

B.S. and M.S. Applied Statistics

 

When to apply: Junior standing of undergraduate studies

Admissions requirements

The accelerated degree program (ADP) in applied statistics allows students to earn, in five years, a bachelor's degree with an undergraduate major in a variety of fields including, but not limited to: bioinformatics, biomedical engineering, business, chemistry, computational mathematics, computer science, data science, electrical engineering, mathematics, applied mathematical economics, mechanical engineering, physics and psychology and a master of science degree in applied statistics. Students complete 12 credit hours of approved graduate courses during their senior undergraduate year that counts as part of the undergraduate credit hour requirement.

Students may obtain both degrees in five years. Students with a GPA of 3.000 or better in their mathematics, science and engineering courses are eligible to apply when they reach junior standing. Up to 12 graduate credits can count toward both degrees.

The Department of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences offers early admission into the master of science in applied statistics program. Marquette undergraduate students majoring in the above listed majors and others can apply for this program in Junior standing of undergraduate studies.

More information about the program, faculty, and coursework can be found on the Applied Statistics graduate program page

 

B.S. and M.S. Biomedical Engineering

 

When to apply: Junior year of undergraduate studies

Admissions requirements

Students must have a GPA of 3.50 or higher to be considered eligible to apply.  

*A GRE score is not required to apply, but a GRE test score must be submitted before the start of the 5th year.  

More information about the program, faculty, and coursework can be found on the Biomedical Engineering website

 

B.S. and M.B.A. Business Administration

 

When to apply: Junior year of undergraduate studies

Admissions requirements

More information about the program, faculty and course work can be found on the Business Administration website

 

B.S. and M.S. Chemistry

 

When to apply: Junior year of undergraduate studies

Admissions requirements

Students must have a GPA of 2.75 or higher to be considered eligible to apply. 

More information about the program, faculty, and coursework can be found on the Chemistry department website.  

 

B.S. and M.S. Civil Engineering

 

When to apply to the Accelerated Degree Program: Junior year of undergraduate studies

Admissions requirements

Students must have a GPA of 3.50 or higher to be considered eligible to apply.  

More information about the program, faculty, and coursework can be found on the Civil Engineering department website.

 

B.A. and M.A. Communication 

 

Program Specializations:

When to apply: Junior year of undergraduate studies

Admissions requirements

Students must have a GPA of 3.50 or higher to be considered eligible to apply. 

More information about the program, faculty, and coursework can be found on the Communication department website.  

 

B.S. and M.S. Corporate Communication  

 

When to apply to the Accelerated Degree Program: Junior year of undergraduate studies

Admissions requirements

More information about the program, faculty, and coursework can be found on the Corporate Communication department website

 

B.S. and M.S. Computer and Information Science

 

When to apply to the Accelerated Degree Program: Junior year of undergraduate studies

Admissions requirements

Students must have a GPA of 3.00 or higher to be considered eligible to apply.  

Students who are of a different discipline and are not in the Computer Science program, are eligible to apply for the Master of Science in Computer and Information Science ADP program. However, students must complete pre-requisite course prior to enrolling. Please contact an advisor for more information.  

More information about the program, faculty, and coursework can be found on the Computer and Information Science department website.

 

B.S. and M.S. Criminal Justice Data Analytics

 

The accelerated degree program (ADP) is designed to give Marquette University undergraduates a more efficient means to obtain a master's degree in criminal justice data analytics.

When to apply: Junior year of undergraduate studies

Admissions requirements

  • Students must have a minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.200. 
  • Students must have completed at least 18 credits of CRLS course work (6 courses) by the end of their junior year.

Undergraduates participating in this program are granted early admission to the Graduate School and are allowed to take specific graduate-level courses during their senior year. Candidates for admission should submit transcripts and two letters of recommendation, but need not submit GRE scores. Candidates for admission to this program should notify the department director of graduate studies of their intentions.

More information about the program, faculty, and coursework can be found on the visit the program page on the Graduate School website. 

 

B.S. and M.S. Data Science

 

When to apply to the Accelerated Degree Program: Junior year of undergraduate studies

Admissions requirements

Students must have a GPA of 3.00 or higher to be considered eligible to apply.  

To speak to an advisor about how to complete your B.S. and M.S. in Data Science, get more information about the program, faculty, and coursework visit the Master's in Data Science program page

 

B.S. and M.S. Electrical & Computer Engineering

 

When to apply: Junior year of undergraduate studies

Admissions requirements

Students must have a GPA of 3.50 or higher to be considered eligible to apply. 

More information about the program, faculty, and coursework can be found on the Electrical & Computer Engineering department website.  

 

B.A. and M.A. English

 

The accelerated degree program in English is designed to allow students to earn a bachelor of arts degree and a master of arts degree in English in five years rather than the six years normally required to earn both degrees. Undergraduates participating in this program are granted early admission to the Graduate School and are allowed to take up to 12 credit hours of graduate-level courses during their senior year. 

The accelerated degree program prepares students for the next stage of their careers. Students who complete a master of arts in English have gone on to gain admission to excellent doctoral programs, medical schools, and law schools and several have gone on to pursue an advanced degree in library and information studies. Our alumni have also applied their critical reading, thinking, and writing skills in a variety of private sector positions. Students in the accelerated degree program benefit from the smaller class sizes and intellectual rigor of graduate courses in their senior year and from working with an adviser to construct a program of study and a thesis project targeted to their specific intellectual and professional goals.

Students in the accelerated degree program work closely with the director of graduate studies and a departmental adviser to construct a personalized program meant to help them to fulfill their personal and professional goals. In their fourth year, students take four classes that count toward both their undergraduate and graduate degrees. In their fifth year, students take six courses to complete the master's degree. In this final year, students may elect to write a master's thesis, complete an internship, or do a professional project, though these are not required. 

The accelerated degree program in English is not restricted to undergraduate English majors. To apply for admission to the accelerated degree program, students should have completed four English courses beyond ENGL 1001 Foundations in Rhetoric and maintained a 3.000 cumulative GPA. For additional information about requirements, interested students should contact the English department. 

 

B.S. and M.S. Exercise and Rehabilitation Science

 

When to apply: Junior year of undergraduate studies

Admissions requirements

Students must have a GPA of 3.00 or higher to be considered eligible to apply. 

More information about the program, faculty, and coursework can be found on the program page on the Graduate School website.  

 

D.P.T. and Ph.D. Exercise and Rehabilitation Science

 

When to apply: Fall of DPT5 year

Admissions requirements

Students must be currently enrolled in the MUPT program and have a GPA of 3.00 or higher to be considered eligible to apply. Research experience highly recommended.

More information about the program, faculty, and coursework can be found on the program page on the Graduate School website.

 

B.S. and M.S. Finance

 

When to apply: Students may apply for the ADP program in their junior year or over the summer.

More information about the program, faculty, and coursework can be found on the program page on the Graduate School of Management website

 

B.A. and M.A. History

 

When to apply: Junior year of undergraduate studies

Admissions requirements

Students must have a GPA of 3.00 or higher to be considered eligible to apply.  

More information about the program, faculty, and coursework can be found on the History department website. 

 

B.A. and M.A. International Affairs

 

When to apply: Junior year of undergraduate studies

Admissions requirements

Students must have a GPA of 3.50 or higher to be considered eligible to apply.  

More information about the program, faculty, and coursework can be found on the International Affairs department website

 

B.S. and M.S. Master in Management

 

When to apply: Junior year of undergraduate studies

Admissions requirements

More information about the program, faculty, and coursework can be found on the Graduate School of management website

 

B.S. and M.S. Mechanical Engineering

 

When to apply: Junior year of undergraduate studies

Admissions requirements

Students must have a GPA of 3.50 or higher to be considered eligible to apply. 

Students begin their research for the thesis the summer between junior and senior year. Their research continues the summer between senior year and the fifth year, and continues throughout the fifth year.

More information about the program, faculty, and coursework can be found on the Mechanical Engineering department website

 

Neuroscience

 

Biomedical sciences undergraduate students can apply for early admission to the neuroscience doctoral program in the first term of their junior year. 

The Graduate School will offer a combined bachelor’s-doctoral program available to outstanding Marquette University biomedical sciences undergraduate students. 

This program enables students to complete their undergraduate degree within the first year of the neuroscience graduate program, allowing them to complete their doctorate in less time than traditional graduate students. The cellular and molecular neuroscience specialization must be chosen. Students may request permission to move to another specialization, though requests are not guaranteed.

Students accepted into this program are eligible to enroll in up to 14 credits (7-8 credits/semester) of graduate neuroscience courses in their senior year that can be used to fulfill both undergraduate and graduate degree requirements. Interested students should contact their adviser early in their undergraduate career to plan the curriculum for the biomedical sciences major accordingly. Students must submit an application to the Graduate School, indicate their interest in the accelerated degree program and meet all other admission criteria as stated in the Application Requirements section. If accepted to the ADP, students must notify the Graduate School upon successful completion of bachelor’s degree, and their admission as a full-time graduate student is then activated.

Learn more about the Neuroscience PhD program

 

B.A. and M.A. Philosophy

 

When to apply: Junior year of undergraduate studies

Admissions requirements

Students must have a GPA of 3.00 or higher and have taken at least 18 credits of course work in philosophy (6 courses).

More information about the program, faculty, and coursework can be found on the Philosophy department website.  

 

B.A. and M.A. Political Science

 

The Department of Political Science now offers a five year B.A./M.A. Accelerated Degree Program in political science and International Affairs. If you are admitted to this program, you may count some courses taken during your senior year toward both your B.A. and an M.A. This will enable you to complete both a B.A. and an M.A. in five years instead of the six that would normally be required.


An Opportunity for deeper learning

The Department’s M.A. programs in Political Science offer courses that can take you far beyond the undergraduate level. Those who have completed our M.A. have gone on to some of the finest graduate schools, launched careers in a variety of government agencies, and gained employment in various settings in the private sector.

Graduate courses in our program offer students the possibility to pursue topics of interest to them in more depth than they are able to in undergraduate classes. These courses couple smaller class sized and more opportunities for participation with an emphasis on the refinement of student research skills.

The B.A.–M.A. program is open to both Political Science and International Affairs majors. Students applying to this program should be juniors, or in special circumstances, first semester seniors, must have completed three upper division courses in political science, and must have a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or better in their political science courses.

Applicants must submit a graduate school application form, three letters of recommendation, and transcripts to the director of Graduate Studies in the Department of Political Science. Applicants to the five year B.A.–M.A. are not required to submit GRE scores.


Admissions requirements

If you are admitted to the Five Year B.A.–M.A. program, you will receive a letter that will guaranty your admission to our graduate program immediately upon completion of your B.A. You will, however, remain an undergraduate until that time, and thus will continue to have access to undergraduate financial aid.

Once in the program, any graduate seminars that you complete will count toward fulfillment of both undergraduate and graduate requirements. Please note, however, that graduate courses cannot be used to fulfill university core curriculum requirements.

When to apply to the Accelerated Degree Program: Junior year of undergraduate studies

Students must have a GPA of 3.50 or higher to be considered eligible to apply. 


Credits

The department strongly recommends that students in the Five Year B.A./M.A. program complete 12 credits that can be counted toward their M.A. during their senior year. This is the maximum number of graduate credits taken during the undergraduate period that can be counted toward the graduate degree. This will leave 18 credits (6 graduate courses) to complete during their year as a graduate student. Students might also consider starting the graduate program in the summer in between their fourth and fifth years and taking one graduate course during that summer. This would allow them, in their fifth year, to take three graduate courses in their fall semester but only two graduate courses in their spring semester. Taking a reduced load of courses in the final semester is recommended in order to leave time to prepare for the program's rigorous comprehensive examination process.

 

Public Service

 

The accelerated degree program in Public Service allows Marquette University students to earn a bachelor’s degree with a minor in Urban Affairs and a master’s degree in Public Service in five years. The program is designed for students interested in pursuing a career in a community-based organization or other non-profit agency. Students must meet the following criteria in their junior year to apply for the ADP:

  • Maintain a minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.000.
  • Be enrolled in the Urban Affairs minor with a plan to complete the minor and a major by the end of their senior year.

Students admitted to the program are expected to complete 12 credit hours of graduate coursework during their senior year. For additional information on this program and how to apply, contact the Graduate Admission Counselor or Director of Graduate Studies for the program.

 

School Counseling

 

The Department of Counselor Education and Counseling Psychology offers early admission into its master of arts degree program in school counseling to Marquette University students studying a variety of majors. Students can apply for admission to this program in the second term of their undergraduate sophomore or junior year. Students accepted into the accelerated degree program are eligible to enroll in up to 18 credits of school counseling (SCCN) course work that carry graduate credit during their junior and senior years; i.e., COUN 6000 Introduction to Counseling, COUN 6001 Foundations of School Counseling, COUN 6010 Professional Ethics and Legal Issues in School Counseling, COUN 6020 Life-Span Human Development, COUN 6060 Psychopathology & Diagnosis, and COUN 6970 School Counseling Practicum. Credits obtained for these courses have the potential to be used to fulfill both undergraduate and graduate degree requirements. Once students inform the Graduate School of the completion of their undergraduate degree requirements, their graduate admission as a regular degree status student is activated. Students interested in this program can obtain further information from the Counselor Education and Counseling Psychology department office.

Candidates for admission should minimally have undergraduate sophomore status and a GPA of at least 3.200. Candidates for admission should submit a resume, statement of purpose, and three letters of recommendation. An interview with program faculty may also be required to be admitted to the program. The Marquette University Graduate School will obtain a student’s transcript on their behalf.

 

B.S. and M.S. STEM-MBA

 

When to apply: Junior year of undergraduate studies

Admissions requirements 

 

 

 

 

B.S. and M.S. Supply Chain Management 

 

When to apply: Junior year of undergraduate studies

Admissions requirements

  • Students must have a GPA of 3.00 or higher to be considered eligible to apply.  
  • More information about the program, faculty, and coursework can be found on the MS in Supply Chain website
 

 

Admissions Requirements

  • Students can apply for the  Accelerated Degree Program during their Junior year of undergraduate studies.

  • Students will apply for admission to graduate school for the semester after they receive their bachelors degree. 

  • All ADP applicants must complete the online application, as well as submit supporting materials such as letters of recommendation, a resume, or a statement of purpose, as required by their program.

  • The GRE is not required to apply. 

View the Full ADP Timeline

 

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Can ADP students apply to be a graduate assistant or teaching assistant? 

No, ADP students usually are not granted graduate assistant/teaching assistant positions.  This is because GA positions are usually 2 year positions, and departments prefer to train a student to have them for 2 years.  

When should I talk to my academic advisor about ADP?  What if my advisor doesn't know anything about ADP?  

Earlier the better!  ADP students will need to take certain courses during their senior year to be counted for graduate credit, so having a detailed class schedule is extremely beneficial.

If your academic advisor does not have information about ADP, please contact the Assistant Dean of the Graduate School by emailing mugs@marquette.edu.  

Do I need to take the GRE? 

  • Admitted ADP students are not required to take the GRE (excludes Biomedical Engineering). *Note:  Biomedical Engineering ADP students must submit a GRE score before the start of the 5th year.   
  • Graduate School of Management requires a test score or students can apply for a test score waiver.  Requirements for the test score waiver can be found on the Graduate School of Management website.

What are the requirements for admission?

Each ADP program is a little different.  Each program has set a minimum GPA requirement that a student must meet to be considered for eligibility.  Click on your program (under the eligible programs tab) to see the requirements.  

In the application, which semester do I apply for graduate school? 

Students should apply for admissions to graduate school the semester after they graduate with their bachelors degree, not the semester they begin taking classes for graduate credit. 

Example:  A student in their Junior year in the fall of 2019 will apply for admission to graduate school for the fall 2021.  

Is financial aid available? How much is tuition?

 

Getting Started

Considering ADP programs for your department?

Here's where you can start. 

Submitting an ADP Proposal

Academic Program Approval Guidelines

Assistant Dean

For more questions, or to set up a meeting regarding the benefits of starting an ADP please contact the Graduate School's Assistant Dean.

Carl Wainscott

email: carl.wainscott@marquette.edu

phone: (414) 288-4325