I. Student Requirements
The Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s (ABM) pathway allows an approved undergraduate student at NC A&T an opportunity to complete both the BS and MS degrees at an accelerated pace (approximately 5 years). In the ABM pathway, and approved student, beginning in their junior year, can take up to twelve (12) credit hours (4 courses) of approved graduate coursework that may also be used to satisfy requirements for his/her undergraduate degree.The Accelerated Bachelors / Master's (ABM) degree pathway permits the completion of both the BS and MS degrees in approximately 5 years. The pathway is based on admitting well-qualified students in their junior year and counting twelve (12) credit hours of course work for both the BS and the MS degrees.
Student Eligibility Requirements
1. Students must have completed between 75 and 90 credit hours in their undergraduate programs, including credits earned from advanced placement.
2. Transfer students must have completed a minimum of two semesters as a full-time student at NCA& T, a minimum of 24 credit hours, in addition to the 75 to 90 hours as previously stated.
3. Students must have a minimum accumulated grade point average (GPA) of 3.25/4.0 at NCA&T at the time of admission into the ABM degree program.
Application to the ABM Pathway
A prospective student who meets the eligibility requirements for the ABM pathway 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:
a. The standard application for admission to the Graduate College;
b. 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 non-thesis master's degree in the same field within 18 months of completing the bachelor's degree).
c. 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
1. Students must complete the bachelor's degree prior to entering the master's program. Students in the ABM may not elect to by-pass the bachelor's degree.
2. Students must receive a grade of B (3.00/4.00) or better in each of the double counted graduate level (600 level) courses.
3.Students must complete the master's degree within 18 months from the completion of the bachelor's degree for a non-thesis master's degree.
Continuing Eligibility
1. It is the responsibility of the student to recognize his/her eligibility status.
2. If a student completes the bachelor's degree requirements with an accumulated GPA of less than 3.25/4.0, he/she automatically loses the privilege of continuing in the ABM.
3. Failure to complete the degree with course/project option in 12 months or thesis option in 18 months voids the application of the double counted class hours to the Master's degree.
Withdrawal
A student may, at any time, withdraw from the ABM pathway 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 pathway 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.
II. Pathway List of Allowable Courses
a. Allowable Course Substitutions
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Undergraduate Course
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Equivalent Graduate Course
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COMP 361 Data Analytics in Python
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COMP 651 Data Analytics Techniques
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COMP 422 Information Privacy & Security
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COMP 620 Information, Privacy and Security
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COMP 454 Virtual and Augmented Reality
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COMP 654 Virtual and Augmented Reality
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COMP 423 Web Security
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COMP 621 Web Security
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Note: The BS portion of this program has already been approved by the University. In all cases, the program and University requirements will be satisfied based on the four-year curriculum.
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