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Accelerated programs overview
Accelerated programs overview
The School of Life Sciences has various accelerated BS/MS programs, which allow students to share up to 12 credits between their bachelor's and master's degrees. This allows them to complete the 120 credit undergraduate degree and 30 credit graduate degree in 138 total credit hours, instead of 150. Students are considered undergraduate students and pay undergraduate tuition prices until their BS degree is awarded, at which point they move into their plus one year to fulfill the remaining 18 credits needed for the MS degree.
Program & pathway options
Program & pathway options
Research & Thesis Programs
Biology - on campus only
Biology and Society - on campus only
Microbiology - on campus only
Molecular and Cellular Biology - on campus only
Coursework & Capstone Programs
Biology - on campus OR online
Computational Life Sciences - on campus OR online
As of now, these are the only approved accelerated programs. If you are interested in our other SOLS program offerings, those would be offered as traditional, non-accelerated programs. There are no exceptions to these offerings.
Eligibility requirements
Eligibility requirements
Student must be in an eligible undergraduate degree and select an eligible master's degree as indicated here: Accelerated Masters Degrees
Must have at least 75 credit hours completed toward their undergraduate degree
Must have at least a 3.0 GPA
Must have at least 2 full semesters OR 30 credit hours left towards their undergraduate degree
Must pursue a program with an available modality that matches the undergraduate degree modality
For example, on campus Biological Sciences BS student applying to on campus Biology MS program
For research & thesis programs only: must have identified a faculty advisor willing to host research
This requires prospective research & thesis students to reach out to SOLS faculty members with their areas of interest, research project ideas, and ask if they are open to mentoring them for their MS thesis.
If you have unique circumstances related to the eligibility requirements, please reach out to the SOLS Graduate Office to discuss your potential eligibility.
Application process
Application process
The application process is split into two milestones: phase 1 and phase 2.
Phase 1 - Initial Approval
Phase 1 - Initial Approval
Overview
Students that meet the above eligibility criteria and wish to apply should meet with their undergraduate advisor to confirm progress and discuss room for sharing credits. Then, proceed with the appropriate accelerated BS/MS application linked below.
Students are required to submit a Phase 1 application form. In addition to the student's form response, the student's undergraduate advisor, faculty advisor (for research & thesis programs only), program director(s), and graduate advisor sign off on this form.
Applying and being approved for phase 1 allows undergraduate students to begin enrolling in graduate-appropriate coursework during their final two undergraduate semesters. These semesters that students are enrolled in shareable coursework with phase 1 approval granted is considered their "shared year."
*Note: This phase approval solely indicates that a student intends to pursue the MS degree following their undergraduate graduation. Students that have phase 1 approval are still considered undergraduate students in the ASU system during this time and are not considered MS students yet.
Materials
Submit via Adobe Sign using the appropriate Phase 1 Application Form linked below
Email addresses of undergraduate advisor, faculty advisor (if applicable), MS program director(s), and graduate advisor
1-paragraph personal statement indicating areas of interest within the appropriate program field
For research and thesis programs only: in addition, include a short description of your proposed MS research project
Application Deadlines
*Note: the phase 1 application can take 1-2 weeks for all signatures to be gathered. Please submit proactively to allow sufficient time for review. However, we do not recommend submitting your application too far in advance. Please abide by the credit hour/semester eligibility requirements to apply at an appropriate time.
To begin enrolling in graduate-level coursework during Fall semester - apply prior, by July 15
To begin enrolling in graduate-level coursework during Spring semester - apply prior, by December 15
To begin enrolling in graduate-level coursework during Summer session - apply prior, by April 15
Next Steps
If approved, students will receive a follow up email from the SOLS Graduate Office indicating their next steps for intended shared course enrollment. Students will collaborate with both their Undergraduate Advising office and the SOLS Graduate Office for guidance.
Phase 2 - Formal Application
Phase 2 - Formal Application
The phase 2 application is in the process of being changed. Please refrain from submitting a formal graduate application in the meantime, and refer back to this site in November 2025 for new instructions.
Overview
Being approved for phase 2 means that students are admitted to the MS program and can officially continue onto the graduate degree after graduating with their undergraduate degree. These semesters that students are enrolled in graduate coursework only with phase 2 admission is considered their "plus one year."
*Note: This phase approval indicates that a student will be considered a graduate student in the ASU system once they begin the first semester of their plus one year.
Next Steps
After a student is Phase 2 approved, students will continue to work with their undergraduate advisor to wrap up their undergraduate requirements and graduate, but moving forward will work solely with their graduate advisor once they begin their plus one year.
Sharing credits
Sharing credits
Accelerated BS/MS students may share up to 12 credit hours between degrees during their last 2 semesters or 30 credit hours. Up to 6 of the 12 credits can be 400-level life science coursework, while the other 6 must be 500-level or above life science coursework or higher. The grade in the class must be a "B" grade or higher to share.
Due to differences in MS degree requirements and the space students may have remaining in their BS degree, there is no blanket map for completing 12 shareable credits. Students should meet with their undergraduate and graduate advisors to create a plan.
It is best if students have 400-level required courses to complete still during their last 2 semesters or 30 credit hours, because those may be shareable as is, or the course may be combined with a 500-level equivalent the student could switch to. Students that need certain 400-level major requirements, more upper division hours, and elective credits are situated well to share credits. They will need overrides for any 500-level+ course they want to take during their shared year and should use the course permission request form linked below.
Degree requirements
Degree requirements
Accelerated BS/MS students are required to complete the same requirements as a traditionally admitted MS student. They should refer to the SOLS Handbook to ensure they understand the 30 credits required within their chosen and approved accelerated MS degree.
The difference, however, is they may begin to complete up to 12 credit hours of the 30 credits required in their senior undergraduate year. These 12 credit hours are chosen in consultation with their undergraduate and graduate advisors.
Information session materials
Information session materials
Accelerated master's award
Accelerated master's award
Accelerated master’s students who meet the eligibility requirements listed below may receive up to $1,500/semester for a maximum of two semesters of their graduate program.
To be eligible to receive the Accelerated Master’s Award, a student must:
Have their ASU bachelor’s degree conferred prior to the start of the awarded term.
Be enrolled full-time in an ASU master’s degree as part of an approved accelerated master’s program.
Be considered an Arizona resident at the start of the awarded semester according to the ASU Registrar.
Be in good academic standing and maintain a minimum 3.0 cumulative graduate GPA.
No application or nomination is required, eligible students will be notified via email to complete a confirmation form and will receive the award in their ASU student account. This award is in addition to other funding they may receive.
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