Accelerated Master’s Programs

In as few as 12 months of additional study, you can earn your master’s degree.

Accelerate Your Education

If you are an incoming freshman, you have the option to apply for admission to an Accelerated Master’s Degree Program and begin work toward your graduate degree before you complete your bachelor’s degree.

What is an Accelerated Master’s Degree program?

• The Accelerated Master’s Degree program allows exceptional students at UNC Charlotte the opportunity to complete the requirements for both their bachelor’s and master’s degrees at an accelerated pace – usually with just one additional year.

What programs are offered?

• The following programs are currently offered at UNC Charlotte:
  • Master’s in History
  • Master’s in Latin American Studies
  • Master’s in Economics
  • Master’s in Mathematical Finance
  • Master’s in Data Science and Business Analytics
  • Master’s in Applied Physics

Requirements

• Minimum high school GPA of 3.75 (on a 4.0 scale)
• Minimum score of 1220 on the SAT
• Choose a major that offers the Accelerated Master’s Degree Program (see list above)

How To Apply

• If you are admitted as an undergraduate Freshman in fall, submit an online application for graduate admission in the spring of your freshman year.
• Submit a Statement of Purpose for pursuing the Accelerated Master’s Degree (submit with the graduate school’s online application)
• Submit three recommendations (submitted with the graduate school’s online application) provided by a high school teacher and from a UNC Charlotte faculty member who taught the applicant in the fall semester of the freshman year
• Enrollment will be based on program capacity, and certain programs may have more stringent admission policies or application deadlines

How does the program work?

• Undergraduate students in the program may “double count” up to 12 graduate-level credits (typically four courses) towards their undergraduate major and can typically obtain a master’s degree within 12 months of completing the bachelor’s degree requirements.
• Depending on the length of the graduate program, some programs may take longer to complete.
• Students are not required to take the GRE for admission into the Graduate School to complete the program.
• Admission is contingent on meeting eligibility requirements at the time of entering the graduate program

Benefits

• Begin graduate coursework in the senior year
• Mentoring by graduate faculty throughout the program
• Complete the bachelor’s and master’s degrees in less time than pursuing them singularly
• Substitute course hours (no more than 12 depending on the program) earned at the graduate level for required undergraduate hours
• Engage in research opportunities early in the undergraduate program
• Standardized test requirement for graduate admisison waived
• Participation in one commencement ceremony for awarding of the bachelor’s and master’s degrees

Continuing Enrollment Requirements

• Maintain a strong academic record at the undergraduate and graduate levels, respectively (cumulative GPA >= 3.0)
• Exhibit stellar performance in all field experiences, research, and coursework
• Meet all deadlines for licensure (if relevant) and graduation
• Students who do not maintain the minimum GPA will be placed on probation the first semester and dismissed from the graduate program at the end of the second semester

Financial Aid and Tuition

• Students may be considered for undergraduate financial aid and funding prior to completion of 121 semester hours of undergraduate credit; afterwards, students may be considered for graduate financial assistance
• Students will be charged graduate tuition and fees after completion of all baccalaureate courses, generally beginning in the fifth year of study