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º£½ÇÉçÇøprovides exceptional undergraduate students with the opportunity to complete the requirements for both the bachelor's and master's degrees at an accelerated pace. Accelerated Pathways allow students to get a head start on their graduate education by taking graduate courses during their junior and senior undergraduate years.

Typically, up to 12 credit hours of graduate work may count toward a baccalaureate degree, thus reducing the time it takes to get both degrees. The number of shared hours is determined by the total graduate and undergraduate credits.

Advantages

An Accelerated Bachelor’s to Master’s Pathway provides many benefits:

• Students can save tuition money and time to graduation compared to the traditional track of enrolling in graduate coursework only after completing the baccalaureate degree.
• Many programs reduce the graduate admission requirements for Accelerated Pathway students. For example, students might not need to take the GRE, saving time and money.
• An Accelerated Pathway allows students to enter the job market more quickly and command a higher salary due to the graduate-level knowledge and skills desired by many employers.
• Students may be able to use some forms of undergraduate financial aid to pay for the undergraduate tuition portion of graduate courses, especially if they entered º£½ÇÉçÇøwith Advanced Placement and/or dual credit towards their baccalaureate degree.
• Students in Accelerated Pathways are eligible for the Exclusive Graduate Tuition Rate which provides about a third reduction in the cost of tuition, excluding fees, while taking graduate courses required for the Accelerated Pathway and maintaining continuous enrollment.
• Students in Accelerated Pathways are also eligible for the º£½ÇÉçÇøPathways Scholarship. This scholarship is awarded to help offset the cost of the graduate coursework while enrolled as an undergraduate. Students are automatically considered upon admission to an Accelerated Pathway and a separate application is not required.

Eligibility

Once you have attained junior status (at least 60 credit hours), you are eligible to start an Accelerated Pathway if you have a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.00 overall and have submitted the Undergraduate Level Accelerated Application with approval from your advisor and the graduate program director. Specific programs may have more rigorous academic requirements for participation in an Accelerated Pathway. Eligibility for participation in an Accelerated Pathway does not guarantee admission into the graduate program (see section below).

Students must maintain admission criteria to continue in the Accelerated Pathway. Students who do not maintain minimum GPA standards are subject to removal from the Accelerated Pathway.

Exceptions to these requirements may be made on a case-by-case basis. Graduate program directors should contact the director of the Graduate School if an exception is needed.

Process

The core element of an Accelerated Pathway is the ability for undergraduates to enroll in typically up to 12 credit hours of graduate coursework that counts towards fulfilling both the graduate and baccalaureate degrees. (Note that the exact number of credit hours depends on the program.)

1. Meet with your undergraduate advisor and the graduate program director for the Accelerated Bachelor's to Master's Pathway you would like to pursue. Consult with Financial Aid to determine any potential ramifications during the change from undergraduate to graduate standing (see section below), and the International Center if you are an international student.
2. Identify the graduate courses that will count towards fulfilling both the undergraduate and graduate requirements.
   Request your advisor submit the Undergraduate Level Accelerated Application the term before you plan to start taking graduate courses.
3. Complete the designated graduate coursework your junior and/or senior year during which you will maintain undergraduate status.
4. Apply to graduate with your bachelor’s degree during your final term.
5. Request your advisor submit the Graduate Level Accelerated Application during your final term. It must also be approved by the graduate program director and the Graduate School. You must meet graduate program admission standards; admission to graduate school is not guaranteed.
6. Graduate with your bachelor’s degree and become a graduate student (if admitted). The graduate courses that were identified on the Accelerated Pathway application (with at least a B grade earned) taken as an undergraduate will be added to count toward your graduate degree requirements.
7. Complete the remaining graduate coursework.
8. Apply for graduation during your final term.
9. Graduate degree is awarded.

Please note, the graduate application must be for admission to the graduate program within three consecutive terms immediately after graduating with a bachelor's degree from UNF. Students may take additional graduate coursework beyond the courses approved for the accelerated pathway. However, these courses will not count towards both degree requirements.

Interdisciplinary Programs

• Chemistry (BS) to Material Science and Engineering (MS)

  This program allows eligible students to earn a Bachelor’s of Science (BS) in Chemistry, followed by a Master’s of Science (MS) in Materials Science and Engineering. Undergraduate students apply during the last semester of their junior year.

  Approved Curriculum

  Up to a maximum of 6 credits of BS major electives can be substituted by the below graduate level courses, which can be counted towards both the BS and the MS Degrees.

  • EMA5104 Adv Materials Principles I
  • EMA5114 Adv Materials Principles II

  Additional Admission Criteria

  Material requirements should be sent directly to the Graduate Program Director of the Materials Science and Engineering (MS) program.

  • Submit personal statement describing your interest in the Materials Science and Engineering graduate program

• Physics (BS) to Materials Science and Engineering (MS)

  This program allows eligible students to earn a Bachelor’s of Science (BS) in Physics, followed by a Master’s of Science (MS) in Materials Science and Engineering. The combined program is 144 credits; 120 for the BS and 30 credits for the MS. However, up to 6 graduate credits may be counted towards both degrees. Students complete the undergraduate degree first, taking no more than 6 credits of graduate coursework in their senior year, which will then be used to satisfy both degrees.

  Approved Curriculum

  Up to a maximum of 6 credits of BS major electives can be substituted by the below graduate level courses, which can be counted towards both the BS and the MS Degrees.

  • EMA5104 Adv Materials Principles I
  • EMA5114 Adv Materials Principles II

  Additional Admission Criteria

  Material requirements should be sent directly to the Graduate Program Director of the Materials Science and Engineering (MS) program.

  • Submit personal statement describing your interest in the Materials Science and Engineering graduate program

Brooks College of Health

• Healthcare Management (BHM) to Health Administration (MHA)

  This program allows eligible students to earn a Bachelor’s of Healthcare Management (BHM), followed by a Master’s of Health Administration (MHA) Degree. Undergraduate students apply during their junior year.

  Approved Curriculum

  Up to a maximum of 18 credits of BHM major electives can be substituted by the below graduate level courses, which can be counted towards both the BHM and the MHA Degrees.

  • HSA6520 Managerial Epidemiology can be taken in place of HSA3522 Managerial Epidemiology
  • HSA6905 Policy and Law in Health Care can be taken in place of HSA4150 Introduction to Health Policy 
  • HSA6342 Healthcare Human Resources can be taken in place of HSA3340 Healthcare Human Resources
  • HSA6198 Health Information Technology can be taken in place of HSA3191 Health Information Systems 
  • HSA6385 Quality Management in Healthcare can be taken in place of HSA3383 Quality Management in Healthcare 
  • HSA5177 Healthcare Finance can be taken in place of an elective

• Interdisciplinary Health Studies (BSH) to Athletic Training (MS)

  The accelerated pathway for the Interdisciplinary Health Studies (BSH) to Athletic Training (MS) program is an opportunity for exceptional º£½ÇÉçÇøInterdisciplinary Health Studies undergraduate students who are interested in pursuing a career in Athletic Training to combine program requirements.

  Approved Curriculum

  The two courses below can count towards IHS Major requirements or Major elective requirements.

  • ATR 5105C Foundations in Athletic Training

  • ATR 5126C Gross Anatomy for Athletic Trainers

  Additional Admission Criteria

  Material requirements should be sent directly to the Graduate Program Director of the Athletic Training (MS) program.

  • Earn a GPA of 3.00 in upper-level courses
  • Meet with your undergraduate advisor to determine eligibility and a plan for completing Athletic Training (MS) prerequisite courses
    • Completion of all Athletic Training (MS) prerequisites with a GPA of 3.0
  • Meet with your Undergraduate Program Director to discuss career goals and why you are interested in this pathway
  • Meet with Athletic Training (MS) Program Director and submit a personal statement describing prior experiences, accomplishments, and career goals
  • Meet Athletic Training (MS) Program Technical Standards for admission
  • Complete 50 hours of observational experience under the supervision of a Certified Athletic Trainer (º£½ÇÉçÇøAthletic Training Observation Form)
  • Submit three (3) letters of recommendation. One must be from an Athletic Trainer who supervised you during your observational experience.

• Kinesiology (BSH) to Athletic Training (MS)

  The accelerated pathway for the Kinesiology (BSH) to Athletic Training (MS) program is an opportunity for exceptional º£½ÇÉçÇøKinesiology undergraduate students who are interested in pursuing a career in Athletic Training to combine program requirements.

  Approved Curriculum

  Up to 4 credits of PET 4942 Internship in Kinesiology will be replaced with

  • ATR 5105C Foundations in Athletic Training
  • ATR 5126C Gross Anatomy for Athletic Trainers

  Additional Admission Criteria

  • Material requirements should be sent directly to the Graduate Program Director of the Athletic Training (MS) program.

    • Earn a GPA of 3.00 in upper-level courses
    • Completion of all Athletic Training (MS) prerequisites with a GPA of 3.0
    • Meet Athletic Training (MS) Program Technical Standards for admission
    • Complete 50 hours of observational experience under the supervision of a Certified Athletic Trainer (º£½ÇÉçÇøAthletic Training Observation Form)
    • Submit three (3) letters of recommendation. One must be from an Athletic Trainer who supervised you during your observational experience.
    • Interview with the º£½ÇÉçÇøAthletic Training Program Faculty

College of Arts and Sciences

• Biology (BS) to Biology: Biomedical Science non-thesis (MS)

  This research-intensive program allows eligible students to earn a Bachelor’s of Science (BS) in Biomedical Sciences, followed by a Master’s of Science (MS) in Biology - Biomedical Science. Normally this sequence would take a minimum of 6 years, however this program allows students to complete both degrees in 5 years of continuous study. Undergraduate students apply during their junior year and complete 12 credits of graduate coursework in their senior year that are used to satisfy both degrees.

  This program is beneficial to any student interested in gaining graduate-level research experience in biomedical sciences. Research topics that can be pursued are diverse and can prepare graduates wanting to enter many different fields.

  Approved Curriculum

  Up to a maximum of 12 credits of BS free electives can be substituted by the below graduate level courses, which can be counted towards both the BS and the MS Degrees.

  • MCB5505 Advanced Virology
  • PCB6236 Advanced Cancer Biology
  • PCB5235 Cellular Immunology
  • PCB5845 Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience

  • BSC5930 Biology Seminar (course will be repeated twice)

  Additional Admission Criteria

  • Students must secure a research mentor from the list of faculty researchers in the Biomedical Sciences Program prior to acceptance to the program.  If the research is done outside the Biology Department, the student must identify a Biology faculty member as a co-advisor. The Faculty Sponsor Form is available in the Department of Biology.
  • Completion of at least 15 credits in the Biomedical Sciences plan-of-study at UNF
  • Cumulative GPA of 3.2 or greater and students must maintain a 3.2 º£½ÇÉçÇøGPA to complete the program

• English (BA) to English (MA)

  This program allows eligible students to earn a Bachelor’s of Arts (BA) Degree in English, followed by a Master’s of Arts (MA) Degree in the same discipline. Undergraduate students apply during their junior year and complete up to 9 credits of graduate coursework that are used to satisfy both degrees.

  Approved Curriculum

  Up to a maximum of 9 credits of BA major and free electives can be substituted by any course in the MA Program of Study with the exception of internships, teaching practicums, or directed independent studies, which can be counted towards both the BA and the MA Degrees.

  Additional Admission Criteria

  Material requirements must be sent directly to the Graduate Program Director of the English, MA program.

  • Earn a 3.5 GPA in your English classes
  • Complete 21 hours of English major requirements, including ENG 4013 Approaches to Literary Interpretation, before applying
  • Meet with COAS English Undergraduate Advisor and Graduate Program Director at the beginning of your junior year
  • Submit two (2) letters of recommendation from º£½ÇÉçÇøDepartment of English faculty

• History (BA) to History (MA)

  This program allows eligible students to earn a Bachelor’s of Arts (BA) Degree in History, followed by a Master’s of Arts (MA) Degree in the same discipline. Undergraduate students may complete up to 9 credits of graduate coursework that are used to satisfy both degrees.

  Approved Curriculum

  Students in this accelerated path may select any 5000-level graduate courses from the program of study for the History (MA).

  Additional Admission Criteria

  • Have a GPA of 3.33 in the major or an A- or higher in HIS3051 or an A- or higher in one 4000-Level seminar
  • Visit the undergraduate advisor to complete and submit a departmental application form

• International Studies (BA) to International Affairs (MA)

  This program allows eligible students to earn a Bachelor’s of Art (BA) in International Studies, followed by a Master's of Art (MA) in International Affairs. When pursued separately, the International Studies (BA) requires 120 hours and the International Affairs (MA) requires 36, for a total of 156 hours. Through this accelerated path, by double–counting two graduate courses, this total could be reduced to 150. In other words, a student completes the 36 required hours for the International Affairs (MA), but can reduce the number of undergraduate courses required for the International Studies (BA) by two.

  Students typically will apply in the second semester of their junior year, and if accepted, take one graduate course each semester of their senior year. Timing may vary, however, depending on individual circumstances. Students in this accelerated pathway may also pursue Honors in the Major in International Studies. A student who has met the foreign language requirement for the International Studies (BA) has already met the foreign language requirement for the International Affairs (MA).

  Approved Curriculum

  Students in this accelerated path may select any graduate courses from the program of study for the International Affairs (MA), both core courses and electives, according to interest and scheduling. These courses will generally be double–counted as major electives for the undergraduate degree, but in some cases may substitute for courses in the core, at the discretion of the director of International Studies.

• International Studies (BA) to Social Work (MSW)

  This program allows eligible students to earn a Bachelor’s of Art (BA) in International Studies, followed by a Master's of Social Work (MSW). When pursued separately, the International Studies (BA) requires 120 hours and the Social Work (MSW) requires 60, for a total of 180 hours. Through this accelerated path, by double–counting four graduate courses, this total could be reduced to 168. In other words, a student completes the 60 required hours for the Social Work (MSW), but can reduce the number of undergraduate courses required for the International Studies (BA) by four.

  Students typically will apply in the second semester of their junior year, and if accepted, take two graduate courses each semester of their senior year. Timing may vary, however, depending on individual circumstances. Students in this accelerated pathway may also pursue Honors in the Major in International Studies.

  Approved Curriculum

  • SOW 5207  Foundations of Social Work
  • SOW 5625  Difference, Discrimination, and Oppression
  • SOW 5235  U.S. Social Welfare Policies and Institutions
  • SOW 5337  Social Work Practice with Organizations and Communities

  Additional Admission Criteria

  Material requirements should be sent directly to the Graduate Program Director of the Social Work, MSW program.

  • Earn a GPA of 3.5 in the major
  • Complete INS3003 Introduction to International Studies and at least four other courses within the major with grades of B or better
  • Submit two (2) letters of recommendation from º£½ÇÉçÇøfaculty members
  • Meet with the director of the MSW program before applying

• Music (BME) to Music Education: Pedagogy & Research (MM)

  This program allows eligible students to earn a Bachelor’s of Music Education (BME), followed by a Master's of Music Education - Pedagogy & Research (MM). The combined degree programs normally require 159 hours to complete, 120 credit hours for the undergraduate degree and 39 credit hours for the graduate degree. However, qualified students may count a maximum of 6 graduate credit hours towards both degrees. Students complete the undergraduate degree first, taking no more than 6 credit hours of graduate coursework, which will then be used to satisfy both degrees.

  Approved Curriculum

  Students will take two graduate courses as part of this accelerated pathway. The first is

  • MUE5316 Teaching Elementary Music Programs substituting for MUE 4311 Teaching Elementary Music.

  Students will then have the choice of taking

  • MUE5336 Teaching Secondary Choral Music Programs substituting for MUE 4331Teaching Secondary Choral Music; OR 
  • MUE5338 Teaching Secondary Instrumental Music Programs substituting for MUE 4332 Teaching Secondary Instrumental Music.

  Additional Admission Criteria

  Material requirements should be sent directly to the Graduate Program Director of the Music Education - Pedagogy & Research (MM) program.

  • Students who have achieved upper division status (passed all four semesters of theory, aural theory, and class piano, and passed sophomore barrier jury or equivalent) may speak to Music Education faculty to submit an application
  • Students must have a minimum GPA of 3.50, with a minimum GPA of 3.75 in music courses, and no Ds, Fs, or Incompletes
  • Students must have a record of professionalism in academics and personal conduct,
  • Submit passing scores on all portions of the FLDOE General Education exam
  • Submit one (1) letter of recommendation from a music faculty member

• Political Science (BA) to Public Administration (MPA)

  This program allows eligible students to earn a Bachelor’s of Art (BA) in Political Science, followed by a Master's of Public Administration (MPA).The combined programs normally require up to 162 hours to complete, 120 credit hours for the undergraduate degree and 42 credit hours for the graduate degree. However, qualified students may count a maximum of 12 graduate credit hours towards both degrees. Students complete the undergraduate degree first, taking no more than 12 credit hours of graduate coursework, which will then be used to satisfy both degrees.

  Approved Curriculum

  • PAD6060 Public Admin in Modern Society
  • Elective or concentration class with approval of the MPA Director
  • Two core classes from the below list
    • PAD 6106 Administration Behavior in Public Organizations (3 Credits)
    • PAD 6436 Ethics, Leadership and Accountability in Public Service (3 Credits)
    • PAD 6417 Human Resources for Public and Nonprofit Management (3 Credits)

    • PAD6227 Government Budget and Finance (3 Credits)

• Psychology (BS) to Psychological Science (MS)

  The accelerated pathway for the Psychology (BS) to Psychological Science (MS) is an opportunity for exceptional º£½ÇÉçÇøundergraduate students in psychology to combine program requirements for their Bachelors and Master’s programs into a period of five (5) years, rather than six (6) or more years in a non-accelerated track. The Psychological Science (MS) degree earned from the accelerated program consists of a broad based, research-oriented program intended to equip students with the critical skills and knowledge necessary for continued occupational and educational advancement in the field of psychology. The accelerated path will allow students to work in the same research laboratory for 3-4 years, which will serve students in both skill development research products.

  The program consists of course work designed around a core curriculum of statistics, research design, substantive areas of psychology and a research based thesis. Students completing the program are qualified to: go on to further graduate work at universities offering a PhD in Psychology and other related areas to find employment in jobs requiring masters level expertise in applied psychology; and/or to work as evaluation research specialists in government or community agencies. Students with a MS in Psychology may also be competitive for further graduate study in other fields, such as law and medicine.  Note that the goal of this accelerated pathway is not designed to provide clinical training or licensure in clinical practice. Students seeking to work as a licensed therapist should pursue that goal through the Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling in the Brooks College of Health.

  The combined degree programs normally require 158 hours to complete, 120 credit hours for the undergraduate degree and 38 credit hours for the graduate degree. However, qualified students may count a maximum of 10 graduate credit hours towards both degrees. Students complete the undergraduate degree first, taking no more than 10 credit hours of graduate coursework, which will then be used to satisfy both degrees.

  Approved Curriculum

  • PSY6214 Research Design and Analysis 
  • PSY6937 Colloquium 
  • PSY6910 Supervised Research 

  • PSY6780 Seminar in Racism, Discrimination and Marginalization

  Additional Admission Criteria

  Material requirements should be sent directly to the Graduate Program Director of the Psychological Science (MS) program.

  • Minimum 3.2 undergraduate GPA in the major
  • Minimum 3.2 GPA across Research Methods and two Experimental courses
  • Submit a letter of support from a faculty member that will mentor your thesis

College of Computing, Engineering and Construction

• Civil Engineering (BS) to Civil Engineering (MSCE)

  Please contact the graduate program director, Dr. Alan Harris, for more information.

  Approved Curriculum

  Participants should contact the graduate program director for guidance on the appropriate graduate courses to take.

• Electrical Engineering (BS) to Electrical Engineering (MSEE)

  Please contact the graduate program director, Dr. Alan Harris, for more information.

  Approved Curriculum

  Participants should contact the graduate program director for guidance on the appropriate graduate courses to take.

• Mechanical Engineering (BS) to Mechanical Engineering (MSME)

  This program allows eligible students to earn a Bachelor’s of Science (BS) in Mechanical Engineering, followed by a Master’s of Science (MS) in Mechanical Engineering. The combined degree program is 150 credits; 120 for the undergraduate degree and 30 credits for the master’s degree. However, up to 6 graduate hours may be counted towards technical electives at the undergraduate level. Students complete the undergraduate degree first, taking no more than 6 credits of graduate coursework in their senior year, which will then be used to satisfy both degrees. Students wishing to take graduate credits while in undergraduate status must receive approval from the School of Engineering Director prior to registering for graduate level courses.

  Approved Curriculum

  Participants should contact the graduate program director for guidance on the appropriate graduate courses to take.

• Computer Science (BS) to Computing and Information Sciences (MS)

  This program allows eligible students to earn a Bachelor’s of Science (BS) in Computer Science, followed by a Master’s of Science (MS) in the same discipline.

  Approved Curriculum

  Up to a maximum of 6 credits of BS major electives can be substituted by the below graduate level courses, which can be counted towards both degrees.

  • CIS6913 Research Methods in Computing

  • CEN6074 Information Assurance

• Computing and Information Sciences (BS) to Computing and Information Sciences (MS)

  This program allows eligible students to earn a Bachelor’s of Science (BS) in Computing & Information Sciences, followed by a Master’s of Science (MS) in the same discipline.

  Approved Curriculum

  Up to a maximum of 6 credits of BS major electives can be substituted by the below graduate level courses, which can be counted towards both degrees.

  • CIS6913 Research Methods in Computing

  • CEN6074 Information Assurance

• Information Science (BS) to Computing and Information Sciences (MS)

  This program allows eligible students to earn a Bachelor’s of Science (BS) in Information Science, followed by a Master’s of Science (MS) in the same discipline.

  Approved Curriculum

  Up to a maximum of 6 credits of BS major electives can be substituted by the below graduate level courses, which can be counted towards both degrees.

  • CIS6913 Research Methods in Computing

  • CEN6074 Information Assurance

• Information Systems (BS) to Computing and Information Sciences (MS)

  This program allows eligible students to earn a Bachelor’s of Science (BS) in Information Systems, followed by a Master’s of Science (MS) in the same discipline.

  Approved Curriculum

  Up to a maximum of 6 credits of BS major electives can be substituted by the below graduate level courses, which can be counted towards both degrees.

  • CIS6913 Research Methods in Computing

  • CEN6074 Information Assurance

• Information Technology (BS) to Computing and Information Sciences (MS)

  This program allows eligible students to earn a Bachelor’s of Science (BS) in Information Technology, followed by a Master’s of Science (MS) in the same discipline.

  Approved Curriculum

  Up to a maximum of 6 credits of BS major electives can be substituted by the below graduate level courses, which can be counted towards both degrees.

  • CIS6913 Research Methods in Computing

  • CEN6074 Information Assurance

College of Education and Human Services

• Sport Management (BS) to Educational Leadership - Athletic Administration (MED)

  This program allows eligible students to earn a Bachelor’s of Science (BS) in Sport Management, followed by a Master’s of Education (MED) in Educational Leadership - Athletic Administration. The combined degree program is 159 credits; 120 for the undergraduate degree and 39 credits for the master’s degree. However, up to 6 graduate hours may be counted towards both degrees. Students complete the undergraduate degree first, taking no more than 6 credits of graduate coursework in their senior year, which will then be used to satisfy both degrees.

  Approved Curriculum

  Students who are admitted into the accelerated program will select 2 of the 5 graduate courses listed below to be applied towards both degrees.

  • SPM5206 Ethics and Issues in Sport
  • SPM5308 Marketing and Promotion in Sport
  • SPM5506 Sport Finance 
  • SPM5605 Sport Governance and Compliance 

  • SPM6106 Sport Facility and Risk Management

  Additional Admission Criteria

  • Material requirements should be sent directly to the Graduate Program Director of the Educational Leadership - Athletic Administration, MED program.

    • Completion of at least 15 undergraduate hours in their major
    • Minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.40 in their major, 3.0 overall GPA
    • Submit a letter of recommendation from a faculty member of the Sport Management, BS program