Accelerated Master's Program (AMP)
Lindenwood University offers an accelerated master’s program in selected majors that allows high achieving undergraduate students an opportunity to earn a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in as few as five years. Traditional first-time college students will complete the majority of their undergraduate curriculum, as well as most general education requirements, during their first three years. Then, upon formal acceptance into the master’s degree program, the students will complete their graduate coursework during their fourth and fifth year. Current undergraduate students and transfer students are also eligible for participation in an accelerated master’s program, but graduation timelines vary and are dependent on an official review of their prior academic history. Students who elect not to complete the graduate portion of the program can still graduate with an undergraduate degree following the completion of all undergraduate degree requirements.
Enrollment Process and Eligibility
The accelerated master’s program is designed for traditional first-time college students, but current students and transfer students can declare their interest in an accelerated master’s program and follow the academic pathway at any time. Interested students should inform their academic advisor of their intent to complete an accelerated master’s program as early as possible to ensure they follow the necessary academic degree plan. Additionally, some accelerated master’s programs offer early assurance programs that require an initial application or screening process prior to the student’s first semester at the university.
Generally, traditional undergraduate students following an accelerated master’s program degree plan will formally apply to the graduate phase of the program during the fall semester of their third year. Accelerated master’s programs will have program-specific eligibility requirements, application procedures, selection criteria, and retention criteria. Typical program requirements include the following, but please refer to the specific accelerated master’s program for additional information:
- Completion of the accelerated master’s program application
- Completion of the university graduate program application
- Cumulative GPA of 3.00 or higher
- Completion of at least 75 undergraduate credit hours at time of application submission (credit hours for courses enrolled in at time of application should be included)
- Completion of at least 90 undergraduate credit hours at time of entry into program
- Letters of recommendation
Earning Graduate Credit as an Undergraduate Student
Students participating in an accelerated master’s program may take up to 9 credit hours at the graduate level during their senior year at no additional charge. Enrollment in these graduate courses will require approval from the director of the accelerated master’s program. These credit hours can count toward the graduate degree. To earn graduate credit as an undergraduate student, the student must be enrolled in at least 12 credit hours at the undergraduate level for each semester that the student is taking graduate credit and have a minimum undergraduate 3.0 GPA. A maximum of 6 graduate credits may be earned in a single semester. Please see the specific accelerated master’s program for additional information.
Grading Policy for Undergraduate Students Enrolled in Graduate Courses
Undergraduate students enrolled in graduate-level courses will be graded in accordance to the undergraduate grading policy. The undergraduate student may receive grades of A, B, C, F, W, AF, N, I and Audit (see appropriate definitions in the Grading System section of the graduate catalog).
Student Classification and Degree Conferment
Students participating in an accelerated master’s program will be classified as an undergraduate student until all undergraduate degree requirements have been met. Under normal circumstances, this should be accomplished by the end of the fourth year. Upon completion of the undergraduate degree requirements, the bachelor’s degree will be conferred, and the student shall be considered a graduate student for all university purposes.
Tuition
Students participating in an accelerated master’s program will be subject to undergraduate tuition rates until the undergraduate degree is conferred. Therefore, graduate courses completed as an undergraduate student in an accelerated master’s program that provide credit for the undergraduate degree or graduate degree will be subject to undergraduate tuition and financial aid. Upon conferment of the undergraduate degree, the student will be considered a graduate student and will be subject to graduate tuition, graduate financial aid, and all other fees associated with graduate programs. Please see the specific accelerated master’s program for additional information regarding tuition, program expenses, and all other fees.
For additional information on financial aid, please see the Federal Financial Aid sections in the undergraduate and graduate catalogs.
Honors Academy
Undergraduate students participating in an accelerated master’s program can continue to participate in the Honors Academy. With prior approval of the course instructor and academic advisor, students participating in the Honors Academy can register for 500-level courses for undergraduate Honors credit. The student must earn a final grade of AH or BH to receive Honors credit in these courses.
General Honors
Students participating in an accelerated master’s program will have all graduate courses that count toward undergraduate credit included in their determination for general honors.
Academic Integrity
Undergraduate students enrolled in graduate level courses as part of an accelerated master’s program will continue to be subject to the undergraduate student policies for academic dishonesty. Upon the conferment of an undergraduate degree, the student will be formally recognized as a graduate student and will be subject to the graduate student policies for academic dishonesty. Please see the Academic Integrity section of the undergraduate or graduate catalog for additional details.
For students participating in an accelerated master’s program, any report of academic dishonesty as an undergraduate student will remain in the student’s record throughout the entire program. Thus, a single report of academic dishonesty by a graduate student with a previous offense at the university as an undergraduate or graduate student will result in expulsion from the university.
Transfer of Credit
A student wishing to transfer undergraduate credit to Lindenwood University from an accredited college or university should request official transcripts be sent directly to Lindenwood University’s Office of University Admissions by the school(s) previously attended. Evaluation of undergraduate transfer credit will be made by the registrar. For more information regarding the transfer of undergraduate credit, please refer to the Admission, Application, and Fees & Financial Assistance section of the undergraduate catalog.
A student wishing to transfer graduate credit to Lindenwood from an accredited college or university should request official transcripts be sent directly to Lindenwood University’s Office of University Admissions by the school(s) previously attended. Evaluation of graduate transfer credit for an accelerated master’s program will be made by the appropriate program coordinator. For more information regarding graduate credit transfer policies, please refer to the Transferring Credit section of the graduate catalog. Please also refer to the specific accelerated master’s program for more information, as additional program-specific policies may exist regarding transfer credit policies.