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The Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s (ABM) degree program allows an undergraduate student at North Carolina A&T State University an opportunity to complete the requirements for both the bachelor’s and master’s degrees at an accelerated pace. A student accepted into the ABM program will be permitted, as an undergraduate student, to take up to 12 credit hours of graduate courses that may also be used to satisfy requirements for his/her undergraduate degree. This will allow a student to complete a master’s degree in the same field within approximately 18 months of completing the bachelor’s degree.
Establishing an ABM Program
Prior to admission of any student into the ABM degree program, the program must be developed by the department/program and school/college and approved by the Graduate Council, the dean of the school/college offering the undergraduate program, the dean of the Graduate College, the Faculty Senate, and the Provost. The program may also require approval by SACS.
The same department or program that awards the bachelor’s degree must sponsor the master’s degree (ABM). This does not preclude a master’s degree in interdisciplinary graduate programs in which the sponsoring department participates, nor acceptance of the student in a closely related field, if the department granting the graduate degree recommends admission to the Graduate College.
Acceptance into the ABM Program
A student accepted into the ABM program has approval to pursue the ABM degree option. Acceptance is not a guarantee of admission into the Graduate College. Acceptance into the ABM program is contingent on meeting the following eligibility requirements:
- A student must have completed between 75 and 90 credit hours in his/her undergraduate program, including credit hours earned from advanced placement.
- A transfer student must have completed a minimum of two semesters (24 credit hours) as a full-time A&T student in addition to the 75 to 90 earned hours as stated above.
- A student must have a minimum cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.25 on a 4 point scale.
Application to the ABM Program
A prospective student who meets the eligibility requirements for the ABM program must set up a meeting with his/her undergraduate advisor and the graduate program coordinator to develop a Plan of Study for her/his bachelor’s and master’s degree programs. Before acceptance into an ABM program can be finalized, a student must submit:
- The standard application for admission to the Graduate College;
- A Plan of Study for the graduate degree that also indicates the graduation date for the master’s degree. The Plan of Study must indicate the following: (i) a maximum of 12 graduate credit hours that will also count towards the undergraduate degree, (ii) a maximum of six (6) additional graduate credit hours that may be taken as an undergraduate student that will not be counted towards the bachelor’s degree, (iii) courses that will be taken after matriculating into the graduate program, and (iv) the graduation date for the master’s degree that meets the time limit for the ABM program (i.e. obtaining a thesis or non-thesis master’s degree in the same field within 18 months of completing the bachelor’s degree).
- Any changes to the ABM Plan of Study must be submitted in writing and approved by the chairperson and graduate program coordinator and by the dean of the Graduate College.
Requirements for Participation and Graduation
A student must complete the bachelor’s degree prior to being admitted to the master’s program. A student in the ABM may not elect to by-pass the bachelor’s degree.
Continuing Eligibility
It is the responsibility of the student to recognize his/her eligibility status. To maintain continuing eligibility, a student must complete the bachelor’s degree requirements with a GPA of at least 3.25 on a 4.0 scale, follow the plan of study, and meet other departmental requirements to continue to be eligible to participate in the program. If a student becomes ineligible to participate in the ABM degree program, the graduate program coordinator must inform the student in writing of his/her ineligibility. A copy of the letter to the student must be sent to the Graduate College.
Withdrawal
A student may, at any time, withdraw from the ABM program by informing her/his undergraduate advisor and graduate program coordinator in writing. A copy of this request to withdraw must be sent to the Graduate College for approval.
A student who either withdraws or loses eligibility to continue in the program will not be able to use any graduate courses towards the bachelor’s degree. However, a maximum of six credit hours of graduate courses may be used towards another master’s degree with the approval of the graduate program coordinator, department chair, and the dean of the Graduate College.
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