FAQs

What can I do if I am not approved?

• If your application is not approved because you applied too early, you will be encouraged to apply again later as appropriate. If your application is denied, decisions are final. There is no appeal process for denied applications.

• If not approved for AMP, it is possible to receive a personalized graduate admission offer in the final undergraduate semester which would allow you to accept via MyASU and bypass the graduate application process. 

• A regular ASU graduate admission application may be submitted. Five applications can be submitted under one application fee.

I am interested in pursuing an accelerated track in a master's degree that is not listed for my bachelor's degree. 

• Unfortunately, the master's degree pairing must be listed as approved in order to pursue an accelerated track in a given master's degree. There are no exceptions to the posted AMP pairings. As new plans are approved for AMP, information will be updated on our websites accordingly.

How should I use my Tech Electives if I am interested in the Accelerated Master's Program (AMP) in the future?

• • It is recommended to wait to take tech electives until your senior year. If taken early, please meet with AMP advising to ensure you are on track with your shared courses for your specific AMP.

I still don't understand how the "reserve" credit works, can you briefly explain that?

• • Reserved credit is credit that does not share with any undergraduate requirements. If you have a light senior year or final term, you may consider taking an extra 5xx ("reserve") to help further accelerate your graduate program. This class will only apply to graduate degree requirements, but you are taking it early as an undergraduate student. The reserved class is considered "pre-admission credit" and thus MUST be completed with a 'B' or better to apply in the master's. The grade earned will count towards both the undergraduate cumulative AND graduate overall GPA.

Can I still apply my 5xx credits and graduate if I withdraw from the accelerated track?

• • Absolutely. Any earned 5xx level credits completed in the undergraduate career that are applicable to degree requirements may be applied even if you decide to withdraw from the accelerated track and master's degree. 

  • Students may be eligible to retain and apply shared and/or reserved credits upon returning for the master's degree within 7 years of the credit completion date. 

Will the grade from my reserved 5xx course/s count towards my undergraduate GPA?

• • Yes, all courses completed in the undergraduate career at ASU will be incorporated into the CUM ASU undergraduate GPA. Similarly, all 5xx level courses completed at ASU (regardless of career/level) will be averated into the Graduate GPA.

Can I take any 5XX class I want in the AMP?

• • While there is often flexibility in 5xx course options, students should carefully review degree requirements for both the undergraduate and graduate degrees to ensure credits can be shared. If ever unsure, check with advising.  

I only have 1 term remaining in my UG program and have exhausted my electives.

• • Please meet with AMP advising to determine your options. 

What are “anti-requisites”?

• • Courses that are equivalent and credit can only be applied for one or the other. CSE 511/512, CSE 450/551, IEE 431/541 are examples. The Class Search/Course Catalog details will indicate pre-requisites as well as any “anti-requisites” as appropriate. 

When will my DARS be updated so that 5xx share with my UG requirements?

• • Advisors will make every effort to update the DARS so that eligible 5xx courses will be applied to undergraduate degree requirements as appropriate; however, it is the responsibility of the student to check their DARS and check with advising if it is not clear how credits are being shared/reserved. There should not be 5xx courses sitting at the bottom of the DARS.

What classes would you recommend that we take if we're interested in AI?

• • CSE 571 (not CSE 471), CSE 598 Robotics topics, CSE 572, 573, 574, 575, 576, 578

Does the CS Big Data Systems concentration still allow 6 credits of 4xx coursework?

• • Yes, UNLESS you add a thesis. BD concentration + thesis does not allow room for any 4xx credits to apply.

Considering taking a CSE 5XX Topic course, but I wasn’t sure what 598 counts as for credit.

• • 598 Topic courses generally count for elective credit. Depending on the concentration and/or culminating event, the number of elective credits will vary.

I am interested in completing a graduate certificate. Can you confirm if I can take some of those classes in my undergraduate career?

• • For Graduate Certificates, you can carry a max of 6 applicable 5xx credits from your undergrad career, however courses may not apply as undergraduate, graduate, and certificate courses. Per the Graduate College, students may share courses between 2 programs, but not 3. In other words, any Certificate courses taken in the undergraduate career should be taken as reserve, not shared credits.

  • Note, you must submit a separate ASU Admissions application for the Graduate Certificate in your final undergraduate semester. See https://scai.engineering.asu.edu/ for details. 

Can I carry more than 15 credits into the master's? 

• Unfortunately, 15 credits is the absolute max. Of these 15 credits, a max of 9 credits can be shared (Tempe master's) or 12 (Poly master's). 

Is "4+1" the same as "accelerated"?

• • ASU has moved away from the "4+1" terminology due to the varying lengths of time and other reasons. The Accelerated Master's Program Program will depend on the student's individual progress within their degree.

If approved for AMP, will I be considered an undergraduate and graduate student?

• No, undergraduate AMP students are still undergraduate students only. Students must be offiically admitted to a graduate degree program to be considered a graduate level student.

Am I automatically approved for my graduate program if I am accepted into the Accelerated Program? 

• • Approval for the accelerated track is not the same as approval for graduate admission. Approved accelerated students in their final semester who are on track to graduate will complete a graduate admission intake form and bypass the graduate admission application. Note, if the Graduate GPA is below 3.0, students will be placed on academic probation and should talk with graduate advising. Graduate admission is not guaranteed to any student.

Can I change my graduate program after I am admitted?

• • You can make changes to the existing degree (add/remove concentration, change modality, etc) as a one time request prior to starting your graduate semester. Alert advising as soon as possible if you wish to change your master's degree plan.

Can I switch from on-campus to online or vice versa? 

• • It depends on the specific degree plan. Meet with AMP advising to sort out the details, process and timeline of this request to see if it is possible. Planning is vital with this. Also note that tuition rates are different depending on plan and campus.

Can I complete an accelerated track with a PhD program?

• • Please see PhD Q&A.

  • While there is not an approved accelerated track for PhD, students may be able to retain their shared/reserved credits if it is decided to bypass the master's and go into a PhD program. Please see a graduate academic advisor.

When do I need to submit the iPOS?

• • Accelerated students need to submit their initial iPOS as soon as registration is finalized for the first official graduate semester in order to ensure that students are on track and maintaining academic progress.

  • The iPOS is available 90 days before the official start of the graduate degree.

What is the difference between MCS and MS?

• • MCS = Master of Computer Science (only allows non-thesis & is available only online)

  • MS CS = Master of Science Computer Science (allows thesis or non-thesis but is available only on campus)

How do I add the accelerated program on my resume?

• • You can state that you are on an approved “Accelerated track” that allows high achieving students to share credits between the undergraduate and graduate degrees. Advising can also provide a letter on letterhead to attest that you have been accepted to Accelerated Master's Program (AMP) upon request.

What if I change my mind about completing the AMP?

• • You need to let your advisor know and they will instruct you on what to do next and how to adjust your schedule

Will we still need to get 30 credits for the NAMU scholarships in our Masters program?

• • No, your full-time status will default to 9 credits per semester as a graduate student if eligible to carry NAMU scholarship funds. See https://students.asu.edu/NAMU-commitment to review if your NAMU scholarship will be eligible. For questions regarding your specific award package, please reach out to Financial Aid.  

Prior to applying, students should connect with Tuition and Aid for information regarding requirements and expectations. Students may also review additional opportunities for Fellowships and Funding for their program. SCAI uses one application for students interested in teaching and research assistantships. Please review the Graduate College's site regarding Funding Opportunities. 

How do I decide between Thesis vs Non Thesis?

• Not all SCAI Accelerated Master’s Programs require a thesis. You may determine if a thesis is right for you by evaluating your academic and professional goals and interests. 

• You may also utilize these additional resources to decide if a thesis is right for you. 

Thesis vs Non Thesis Webinar

Fulton Undergraduate Research Initiative

When do I need to decide if I want to complete a thesis for my master's?

• • The sooner the better. You should decide before your first graduate semester so that you can enroll in 599 (3 credits). To be given consent to enroll in 599, you must have selected your research topic and thesis faculty supervisor. Your supervisor must also approve your iPOS (plan of study listing the 10 courses you plan to fulfill graduate degree requirements) before consent can be given by advising to enroll in 599.

Is the thesis option available online? 

• • No,  the thesis is not an option for the Master of Computer Science online or the Master of Industrial Engineering online.

• You may review information regarding SCAI Culminating Experience here

• Students' CUM GPA will reset when they enter their first graduate program semester; however, any 5xx courses completed in the undergraduate career will count in the Overall Graduate GPA. 

• Please review ASU Grades and Policies for additional information.

• Graduate students must maintain a 3.0 cumulative GPA (everything taken in the graduate career, including 4xx), overall graduate GPA (all 5xx level or higher taken at at ASU, including undergrad career), and iPOS GPA (plan of study/courses taken towards degree requirements).

• The repeat/replace policy does not apply to 5xx level courses. This includes 5xx level classes taken while in the bachelor's program. If a student repeats a 5xx level course, both grades are averaged in GPA. 

• Barrett Honors Students may still be eligible to apply for the Accelerated Programs. 

• Any 5xx courses completed in the undergraduate side of the Accelerated track may still count towards Barrett requirements. Students should connect with their advisor for program requirements. 

• If pursuing a graduate thesis, Barrett students may connect with their academic and faculty advisor to review options for further research. 

Can I take classes online and in-person? 

• • Students attending in-person may take hybrid or iCourses if available. iCourses (and some hybrid) are "online" courses for in-person students. In-person students may not take ASU Online courses. ASU Online students may not take in–person courses. 

Can I do my Bachelor’s in-person and my Master’s online or vice versa?

• • Yes, students can complete their Bachelor's on one campus and then switch to the other for their master’s. The most important thing is to ensure that the correct graduate degree is offered in the correct campus and to take the correct shared classes. Please work with advising if you are wanting to do this. 

Is the thesis option available online?

• • No, the thesis is not an option for the Master of Computer Science (MCS) or the Master of Industrial Engineering online. 

How is the online campus structured?

• • Students in the online Master of Computer Science (MCS) mostly take classes in A/B sessions. 

  • Students in the online Industrial Engineering Master’s degree take mostly C session classes, but occasionally there’s an A/B session class.

Undergraduate international CS or CSE students who are interested in pursuing Computer Engineering MS or Robotics & Autonomous Systems (AI) MS plans are encouraged to opt for an undergraduate degree plan without a concentration. This is because these MS plans do not allow AMP to be approved if there is a concentration.