Embedded Files
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
*offered on campus only
Coursework & Capstone Programs
*offered on campus OR online
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 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 & permission to share credits
Phase 1 - Initial approval & permission to share credits
Overview
Phase 1 approval means you have been accepted into the SOLS Accelerated BS/MS Program: you may begin sharing credits and taking graduate-level classes.
*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.
Next Step
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 application linked below. Students are required to submit a Phase 1 application form.
Materials
Electronic (Adobe Sign) Phase 1 application form (linked below)
Email addresses of undergraduate advisor 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, and email addresses of faculty advisor and MS program director(s)
Application Deadlines
*Note: the phase 1 application can take up to several weeks for all signatures to be gathered. Please submit proactively to allow sufficient time for review.
July 15 - to begin sharing coursework in the Fall semester
December 15 - to begin sharing coursework in the Spring semester
April 15 - to begin sharing coursework in the Summer Session
Phase 2 - MS Admission
Phase 2 - MS Admission
A formal graduate admissions application is no longer required. Instead, a form response will be required.
Overview
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. 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
Once students have applied for their undergraduate graduation, they must submit the phase 2 application for admission consideration to the MS program they were approved for during phase 1.
*Note: All applicants must still meet the established eligibility requirements. If you no longer meet eligibility, then the form won't have you proceed further. Should your plans have changed since Phase 1 such as a change in program, campus, or graduation date, please connect with our office before completing the form.
Application Deadlines
September 15 - if student is graduating with their bachelor's at the end of Fall semester
February 1 - if student is graduating with their bachelor's at the end of Spring semester
June 1 - if student is graduating with their bachelor's at the end of Summer Session
We are currently only accepting phase 2 applications from students who are graduating from their undergraduate degree in Fall 2025.
We are currently only accepting phase 2 applications from students who are graduating from their undergraduate degree in Fall 2025.
Our office will notify you of whether we approve your Phase 2 form – check your ASU email. Approval indicates that a student has been admitted. If admitted, your MyASU page will update soon after. Only then you can register for classes as a graduate student. Our Program Coordinators will send you information about registering for classes and getting started in your MS program.
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 guide
Information guide
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.
Page updated
Report abuse