Accelerated Bachelor’s-Master’s ABM

Program Overview

Plan ahead and simultaneously begin graduate studies during your senior year.

The Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s (ABM) Degree Option provides a limited opportunity for high-achieving KSU undergraduate students the opportunity to begin graduate studies at KSU in their senior year while simultaneously satisfying remaining requirements for the bachelor’s degree.  Upon completion of the undergraduate degree, satisfactory completion of the undergraduate degree, and a grade of “B” or better in all graduate courses completed and continuing to meet the requirements of admission to their graduate program, the student may move to full graduate status in the same graduate program, and the courses taken as an undergraduate can be applied toward the graduate degree.

The ABM Option allows a qualified student to use graduate-level courses to meet the requirements of both a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree. However, students must earn at least 150 unique hours between the two programs.  Credit hour eligibility will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis by The Graduate College.

For example, an undergraduate student is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in a 123-hour program.  The student is accepted into a 36-hour master’s degree program.  Assuming the student is approved for participation in the ABM option, she would have the potential to apply up to 9 hours of graduate coursework towards the requirements of her bachelor’s degree (123+36 = 159 total hours, 159-9 = 150 unique hours). 

Requirements

Students applying for this program must:

• Have completed at least 18 hours of coursework at Kennesaw State.
• Have a GPA within the upper 25% of undergraduate students in the student’s college (annually listed on the website of The Graduate College).
• Be within 30 semester hours of graduation.
• Have written permission of the chair of the department of the undergraduate major to use the graduate level courses as acceptable substitutes to fulfill related requirements of the bachelor’s degree (students must satisfy all prerequisites for those graduate courses).
• Meet all requirements for admission into the specified graduate program (except for receipt of the undergraduate degree); and
• Submit an application for admission to the ABM Degree Program, along with all necessary admissions documentation to the Dean of the Graduate College by the deadline dates listed below.

No more than nine semester hours of graduate credit may be completed prior to the completion of the baccalaureate degree and admission to a graduate degree program. Generally, an undergraduate student enrolled in graduate classes is limited to six semester hours of graduate course work per term.

Potential Program Combinations

Many combinations of undergraduate and graduate programs are possible and are not restricted to the confines of a single discipline or major. The Accelerated Bachelors Masters program is not available in every graduate degree program. Please check with your preferred graduate program to see if they allow admission through this process. Students interested in this option must meet with the department chair responsible for the undergraduate major.

How do I plan ahead?

Meet with an advisor from the graduate program in which you are interested. Ask about program prerequisites, course scheduling, admissions requirements, and program expectations.

For list of graduate programs and contact information, go to Graduate Programs.

Application Procedure

1. Print the application (download the application, save it to your computer, fill it out and print it)
2. Prior to submission of application materials, the interested student must:
   • A. Meet with the Department Chair of the undergraduate degree program and Program Director/Coordinator of the Graduate Program to determine appropriate course substitutions and complete a course substitution form (attached to the application form)
   • B. Complete required entrance exams (GRE, GMAT) and submit any required supporting documents for your application.
3. All application materials are to be submitted to The Graduate College.
4. All application materials should be submitted no later than the following dates:
   • June 1 - Fall Term Admission
   • December 1 - Spring Term Admission
   • May 1 - Summer Term Admission

Print the application