Accelerated BS/MS Programs

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.

Overview

Students must later submit a formal phase 2 application for admission consideration to the same program they were approved for during phase 1. This application is the formal graduate admissions application via the ASU Graduate Admissions Online Portal.

Applying and 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.

Students must submit their application with the appropriate admit term and campus/modality. Students should select the semester that will follow their anticipated bachelor's graduation term, and select the same campus/modality that they are attending their undergraduate program in.

• Example: if a student is pursuing the Biological Sciences BS program on campus and graduating Spring 2026, they would submit their phase 2 application for their approved phase 1 program with the admit term of Fall 2026 and campus/modality of Tempe.

Materials

• Personal statement of interest

• Résumé/CV

• Unofficial copy of your ASU transcript

  • Transcripts for all universities and colleges outside ASU, if applicable

• Three letters of recommendation 

  • For research and thesis programs only: one of these letter of recommendation should be from the faculty member who will advise you for your MS thesis

• Academic record form (if applicable - more information to be found within application portal)

• Writing sample (Biology and Society program only)

• Proof of English proficiency (international students only - graduating from ASU will automatically waive the English proficiency requirement)

• Note: GRE scores are not required for any SOLS programs

Application Deadlines

*Note: the phase 2 application must be submitted by the end of your first shared semester to allow sufficient time for review. However, we do not recommend submitting your application too far in advance in case your plans change. Please do not submit the Phase 2 application until your second to last semester, or within a month or two of the deadlines below.

*The application deadlines for non-accelerated applicants are different than for accelerated applicants. Please refer below for the appropriate deadlines.

If student is graduating with their bachelor's at the end of Fall semester - apply prior, by July 15

If student is graduating with their bachelor's at the end of Spring semester - apply prior, by December 15

If student is graduating with their bachelor's at the end of Summer Session - apply prior, by April 15

Next Steps

After the Phase 2 application is submitted, the application will be reviewed and an official decision made prior to registration for your MS year begins. 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.

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:

1. Have their ASU bachelor’s degree conferred prior to the start of the awarded term.

2. Be enrolled full-time in an ASU master’s degree as part of an approved accelerated master’s program.

3. Be considered an Arizona resident at the start of the awarded semester according to the ASU Registrar.

4. 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.