Types of Pathways

Antioch's graduate programs have different accreditation standards depending on the degrees and license-preparation offered as well as the regions in which those programs are authorized to operate. Therefore, each pathway has guidelines specific to the graduate program the student hopes to enter. Antioch has designated two types of pathways -- Early Decider and Fast Track -- that operate differently depending on whether the student is considered an undergraduate or a graduate student during the pathway. For Early Decider pathways, the undergraduate student applies to the graduate program and, if admitted, is granted permission to take certain graduate-level courses. If successfully completed, those courses count toward the undergraduate degree and can also fulfill requirements in the graduate program. Early Decider students remain as undergraduate students until the bachelor's degree has been finished. Fast Track students, on the other hand, must be considered graduate students when they enter the pathway. They apply to the graduate program and, if admitted, become graduate students even though they have not completed the undergraduate degree. Once they complete their pathway courses in the graduate program, those courses fulfill the remaining undergraduate degree requirements, allowing the bachelor's degree to be granted. The differences between Early Decider and Fast Track pathways is determined by state and accreditation requirements. Note that an undergraduate student in any pathway (from BA to any graduate program) who is receiving Title IV aid is eligible for only undergraduate level aid (including Pell grants) until the BA requirements are satisfied. The student may still be considered to be a graduate student for academic purposes.  

Early Decider vs. Fast Track

Building pathways from undergraduate to masters programs is impacted by both federal definitions of student degree levels as well as licensure requirements. For example, federal reporting of IPEDs considers students undergraduates until the BA/BS degree has been posted. Although this definition works for most undergraduates taking graduate courses, for students who want to pursue an MFT license in California through the MA in Psychology program (AULA) or the MA in Clinical Psychology program (AUSB), this poses a problem. The Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) accepts toward MFT licensure in California only courses taken as a graduate student. Thus, the pathways provided for students need to accommodate both of these situations. One model (termed the “Early Decider Pathway”) follows the IPEDs definition and allows undergraduates to remain as undergraduates while they take graduate-level coursework. A second model (termed “Fast Track Pathway”) requires that students apply to and be provisionally accepted into the graduate program before they take any masters level courses. These students are accepted into the graduate program without a degree but are considered graduate students at the time of matriculation. A third model  (termed “Advanced Standing") is included here for students not yet pursuing a graduate degree but includes those hoping to earn post-baccalaureate credentials or certificates. Whatever the model, the graduate or post-bacc program determines what students can or must take in terms of curriculum, as well as all criteria for being accepted into the program.

Assumptions for Early Decider Pathway

• Undergraduates must apply to and be provisionally accepted into the MA program before taking graduate-level courses.

• IPEDS considers students undergraduates until BA/BS is posted.

• Status as an undergraduate allows students to pay the undergraduate tuition rate and qualify for undergraduate federal financial aid.

• Taking graduate courses as an undergraduate is a common practice in higher education and need not change a student's status. 

Assumptions for Fast Track Pathway

• The Board of Behavioral Sciences in CA will count toward licensure only credits earned as a graduate student.

• Undergraduates must apply to and be provisionally accepted into the MA program before taking graduate-level courses.

• Graduate program can admit students without an undergraduate degree.

• IPEDS considers these students to be graduate students.

• These students still qualify to pay undergraduate tuition and qualify for undergraduate federal financial aid until the BA/BA is posted.

• Completion of the graduate courses will backfill the missing credits needed for the undergraduate degree.

Assumptions for Advanced Standing

• Students can be accepted into a post-bacc program or be allowed to take graduate-level courses without formally applying to those programs.

• Students must have permission of the undergraduate chair and the graduate chair to take these graduate-level courses that can then apply to the completion of the undergraduate degree.

• If a student later applies to and is accepted into a graduate program, those credits earned prior to application may be applied toward their degree, satisfy graduate-program requirements, and provide students with advanced standing.