The Accelerated Bachelors/Master’s (ABM) degree program allows exceptional undergraduate students at NC State an opportunity to complete the requirements for both the bachelor’s and master’s degrees at an accelerated pace. These undergraduate students may double count up to 12 graduate-level credits (500 or 700 level) and obtain a master’s degree within 12 months of completing the bachelor’s degree.

ABMs provides an opportunity for the Directors of Graduate Programs (DGPs) to recruit rising juniors to their graduate programs. However, approval to pursue an ABM degree program does not guarantee an admission to the Graduate School. Admission is contingent on meeting eligibility requirements at the time of entering the graduate program.

A. Creating an Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s Program

There are two options for creating ABM programs. The first option is a disciplinary model in which a bachelor’s program and a master’s program in the same department or in departments of closely related disciplines establish an ABM degree. Prior to admission of any student into such a degree program, the program must be developed by the undergraduate and graduate units and approved by the associated college(s) Deans, the Administrative Board of the Graduate School, and the Dean of the Graduate School.

The other option is an individualized model in which a student is in a department that has not established a formal ABM program or is in a department in one discipline and wants to pursue a master’s degree in a different discipline. For this option, an ABM arrangement must be made between the student and the Director of Graduate Programs the graduate degree program and must be approved by the coordinator of the undergraduate program in which students are obtaining their bachelor’s. The Director of Graduate Program must recommend admission to the Graduate School and this must be approved by the Dean of the Graduate School.

B. Student Eligibility Requirements

1. Students may apply once they have completed a minimum of seventy-five credit hours in their undergraduate programs, including credits earned from advanced placement, but prior to the completion of their bachelor’s.
2. Transfer students must have completed a minimum of 24 hours as a full-time student at NC State.
3. Students must have a minimum overall undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of 3.500 at NC State at the time of admission into the ABM program. This GPA must be maintained throughout their undergraduate program to remain in an ABM program.
4. Students must receive a grade of B or better in the double counted graduate-level courses (500 or 700 level) while maintaining a 3.500 GPA. Courses with a grade of B- or below cannot be double counted between the two degrees.
5. If students’ undergraduate GPAs drop below 3.500, the DGP must inform the directors of their undergraduate programs and the students in writing of their ineligibility. A copy of this letter must also be sent to the Graduate School.
6. A student who is ineligible to participate in or withdraws from the ABM program, cannot double count any courses for both bachelor’s and master’s degrees.
7. Students in the ABM must receive the bachelor’s degree prior to entering graduate status.

C. Application to the Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s Program

1. Interested students that meet the GPA requirement should schedule a meeting with their Directors of Undergraduate and Graduate Programs to develop tentative academic plans for the bachelor’s and master’s degree programs. The Graduate School requires an approved ABM Plan of Work form to admit a student into an ABM program. The ABM Plan of Graduate Work should clearly indicate:
   • the courses (a maximum of 12 graduate credit hours, 500 or 700 level) that will be double counted for both bachelor’s and master’s degrees,
   • the courses that will be taken after matriculating into the graduate program,
   • the graduation date for the master’s degree that meets the time limit for the ABM program.
2. While still an undergraduate, students must submit the standard application for admission to the Graduate School including an application fee and other documents/standardized test scores required by individual programs.
3. Any deviations from the approved ABM Plan of Work form, require that the updates be approved by the Directors of Undergraduate and Graduate Programs as well as the Graduate School.

D. Withdrawal

Student may withdraw at any time from an ABM program by informing the Directors of Undergraduate and Graduate programs in writing. A copy of this request must also be sent to the Graduate School.