Aug 24, 2025  
2025-2026 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2025-2026 Undergraduate Catalog

ABM Accelerated Bachelors to Masters: Physics (Engineering Physics) BS; Physics MS


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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.

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 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 his/her bachelor's and master's degree programs. Before acceptance into an ABM program can be finalized, a student must submit:

    1. The standard application for admission to the Graduate College;
    2. 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).
    3. 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. 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 pathway.

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 from the ABM Pathway

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

II.   Pathway List of Allowable Courses

 

  1. Allowable Course Substitutions

 

Undergraduate Course

Equivalent Graduate Course

Engineering Elective

PHYS MS Elective

Engineering Elective

PHYS MS Elective

PHYS 3xx Elective

PHYS MS Elective

Free Elective

PHYS MS Elective

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.

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 his/her bachelor’s and master’s degree programs. Before acceptance into an ABM program can be finalized, a student must submit:

    1. The standard application for admission to the Graduate College;
    2. 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).
    3. 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. 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 pathway.

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 from the ABM Pathway


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

Curriculum Guide


Freshman Year


Semester Total: 16

Second Semester


Semester Total: 15

Sophomore Year


Junior Year


First Semester


Semester Total: 15

Second Semester


Semester Total: 15

Senior Year


First Semester


Semester Total: 15

Second Semester


  • PHYS 3xx or PHYS MS Elective 3 Credit(s) **
  • Engineering Elective 3 Credit(s) 3
  • Engineering Elective 3 Credit(s) 3
  • Engineering Elective 3 Credit(s) 3
  • PHYS MS Elective 3 Credit(s) **
Semester Total: 15

Total Credit Hours: 120


1Courses may only satisfy ONE general education requirement GL, AA, SBS, or HFA (e.g. LIBS 202  can satisfy HFA or AA, but not both).

2Physics electives (3 hours) numbered 300 or above.

Students under guidance of a faculty advisor can choose any discipline in Engineering (24 hours)

4Free electives (4 hours)

** 12 credit hours of coursework that will satisfy requirements for both the undergraduate and graduate degrees.  Refer to the graduate catalog for course information.

Major Program Requirements


Students must earn a C- or better in PHYS and MATH courses.

Curriculum Guide - Graduate School


First Semester


  • PHYS 600 3 credit(s)
  • PHYS 615 3 credit(s)
  • PHYS 620 3 credit(s)

Refer to the graduate catalog for information about these courses.

Semester Total: 9


Second Semester


  • PHYS 630 3 credit(s)
  • PHYS MS Elective 3 credit(s)
  • PHYS MS Elective 3 credit(s)

Semester Total: 9


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