PROPOSED REVISION OF REG02.25.11: Accelerated Bachelor's/Master's (ABM) Degree Program

Rationale: This revision corrects a failure to keep this regulation updated. The most recent changeto the time allowed for completion was in 9/10/2008 to extend the time allowed to complete a thesis-based master’s degree from 18 months to 24 month. It was placed into the Administrative Handbook at that time; however, it was not incorporated into this regulation.

Review Process:

___x__Dean of the Graduate School authorizes transmittal of PRR for review

_____ General Counsel preliminary review for legal issues

___x__ Administrative Board of the Graduate School (approved 9/10/2008)

______General Counsel final review

______Provost (approval)

______EOM (review/notification)

______University Council (review/notification)

______Board of Trustees (review/notification)


Policies, Regulations and Rules / Authority
Dean of the Graduate School
Title
Accelerated Bachelor's/Master's (ABM) Degree Program
Classification
REG02.25.11
PRR Subject
Graduate School
Contact Info
Dean of the Graduate School (919-515-7956)

History: First Issued: June 1, 2002. Last Revised: November 29, 2011.

Additional References:
Graduate Administrative Handbook 3.1
Graduate Administrative Handbook 3.18

1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 The Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master's (ABM) degree program allows 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 30- hour non-thesis master's degree within 12 months of completing the bachelor’s degree or obtain a thesis based master's degree within 18 24 months of completing the bachelor’s degree.

1.2 This degree program also provides an opportunity for the Directors of GraduatePrograms (DGPs) at NC State to recruit rising juniors in their major to theirgraduate programs. However, permission to pursue an ABM degree programdoes not guarantee an admission to the Graduate School. Admission iscontingent on meeting eligibility requirements at the time of entering thegraduate program.

2. CREATING ABM DEGREE PROGRAMS

2.1 There are two options for creating ABM programs. The first option is adisciplinary model in which a bachelor's program and a master'sprogram in the same department or in departments of closely relateddisciplines establish an ABM degree. Prior to admission of any studentinto such a degree program, the program must be developed by thecooperative undergraduate and graduate units and approved by theassociated college(s), the Administrative Board of the Graduate School,

and the dean of the Graduate School. The advantage of this model isthat the program can be advertised and used as a recruiting tool forprospective undergraduate students. The other option is an individualized model in which a student is in adepartment that has not established a formal ABM program or is in adepartment in one discipline and wants to take a master's degree in a

different discipline. For this option, an ABM arrangement must bemade between the student and the director of the graduate programgranting the graduate degree and must be approved by the coordinator ofthe undergraduate program. The director of the graduate program mustrecommend admission to the Graduate School.

2.2 All ABM eligibility requirements apply to students in either option.

3. APPLICATION TO THE ABM PROGRAM

3.1 A prospective student who meets the eligibility requirements (see Criteria for Admission) must set up a meeting with his/her Coordinator of Undergraduate Programs and Director of Graduate Programs to develop Plans of Work for his/her bachelor’s and master's degree programs.

3.2 The prospective student must be given a copy of these guidelines.

3.3 Before admission to an ABM program can be finalized, students must submit the standard application for admission to the Graduate School including:

3.3.1 An application;

3.3.2 Application fee;

3.3.3 A copy of all transcripts;

3.3.4 A Plan of Graduate Work, signed by the prospective student, the Coordinator of Undergraduate and Director of Graduate Programs.

3.4 The Plan of Graduate Work for the master's degree must clearly indicate:

3.4.1 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,

3.4.2 The graduate courses (a maximum of 6 additional credit hours) that are taken as an undergraduate student at NC State and that will not be counted towards the bachelor’s degree (credit hours at the 400 level are subject to the restrictions stated in Handbook Section 3.1, subsection D.4),

3.4.3 The courses that will be taken after matriculating into the graduate program, and

3.4.4 The graduation date for the master's degree that meets the time limit for the ABM program (i.e. obtaining a non-thesis master's degree in the same field within 12 months of completing the bachelor’s degree or obtaining a thesis based master's degree in the same field within 18 months of completing the bachelor’s degree). Any changes to the ABM Plan of Graduate Work must be submitted in writing and approved by the Director of Graduate Programs and by the Dean of the Graduate School.

4. CRITERIA FOR ADMISSION TO THE ABM PROGRAM

4.1 Permission to pursue an ABM degree program does not guarantee admission to the Graduate School. Admission is contingent on meeting the following eligibility requirements at the time of entering the graduate program:

4.1.1 Students must have completed a minimum of seventy-five (75) credit hours in their undergraduate programs, including credits earned from advanced placement.

4.1.2 Transfer students must have completed a minimum of two semesters as a full-time student at NC State, a minimum of 24 hours.

4.1.3 Students must have a minimum accumulated grade point average (GPA) of 3.5/4.0 at NC State at the time of admission into the ABM degree program.

5. REQUIREMENTS FOR PARTICIPATION AND GRADUATION

5.1 Students must complete the bachelor’s degree prior to entering the master's program. Students in the ABM may not elect to by-pass the bachelor’s degree.

5.2 Students must receive a grade of B (3.0/4.0) or better in the double counted graduate level courses. Courses with a grade of B- or below cannot be double counted between the two degrees.

5.3 No more than twelve (12) hours of graduate work (500 or 700 level) may be counted towards the requirements of both degrees.

5.4 Students must complete the master's degree within 12 months from the completion of the bachelor’s degree for a non-thesis master's degree and within 24 months for master's programs requiring a thesis. If the master's program is not completed within these time limits, none of the courses can be double counted.

6. CONTINUING ELIGIBILITY

6.1 It is the responsibility of the student to recognize his/her eligibility status.

6.2 If a student completes the bachelor’s degree requirements with an accumulated GPA of less than 3.5/4.0, then he/she is no longer eligible to double count credit hours and is automatically terminated from the ABM program. Individual departments may have higher requirements and failure to meet these requirements will make a student ineligible to participate in the ABM program.

6.3 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.

6.4 If a student becomes ineligible to participate in the ABM degree program, the Director of Graduate Programs must inform the student in writing of his/her ineligibility. A copy of this letter to the student must be sent to the Graduate School.

6.5 Any changes to the courses (a maximum of 12 graduate credit hours) that will be double counted for both Bachelor's and Master's degrees or the graduate courses (a maximum of 6 additional graduate credit hours) that are taken as an undergraduate student at NC State and that will not be counted towards the Bachelor's degree ABM Plan of Graduate Work must be approved by the Directors of Undergraduate and Graduate Programs and submitted in writing to and approved by the Dean of the Graduate School.

7. WITHDRAWAL

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

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