Accelerated Degree Programs

Earn two degrees faster.


UL Lafayette鈥檚 Accelerated Bachelor鈥檚 / Master鈥檚 (ABM) combined curriculum plans offer a streamlined path to earning an undergraduate degree and a graduate degree faster and more affordably. 

How does it work? Upon admission to an ABM, you can take graduate courses in your senior year that count simultaneously toward both degrees. 

Sometimes referred to as a 4+1 program or accelerated master鈥檚 program, the ABM prepares you to enter the job market with greater earning potential and a competitive edge.
 

Dr Viguerie shaking hands with a master's graduate

Requirements:

To be eligible for ABM admission, you must:

  • be in senior standing with a minimum of 90 credit hours and lacking no more than 30 semester hours to complete the baccalaureate degree
  • have completed at least 24 hours of coursework at UL Lafayette, if a transfer student
  • have an overall undergraduate GPA of at least 3.2

Some ABMs require a higher GPA and/or have additional admission requirements. Visit the University Catalog for more information.

 A student may enroll in only one ABM.

Available ABM Programs:

  • MS Communication
  • MA English
  • MA French
  • MM Music
  • MSE Engineering, Chemical Engineering Concentration
  • MSE Engineering, Civil Engineering Concentration
  • MSE Engineering, Electrical Engineering Concentration
  • MSE Engineering, Engineering Management
  • MSE Engineering, Mechanical Engineering Concentration
  • MSE Engineering, Petroleum Engineering Concentration
  • MS Systems Technology


Accelerated Bachelor's / Master's Details

Application of an ABM combined curriculum plan of study requires:

  • Submission of an ABM application by the undergraduate student seeking admission
     
  • Submission of any additional program鈥恠pecific application materials. Unless required by the graduate program, English language proficiency, GRE or GMAT scores, letters of reference, and transcripts from other institutions attended are not required for undergraduate students seeking admission to an approved ABM combined curriculum plan of study.
     
  • Approval of admission from the Undergraduate Advisor, Graduate Coordinator, and Department Head in the degree鈥恎ranting department as well as their Academic College Dean and the Dean of the Graduate School
  • A student may enroll in only one ABM.
     
  • No more than 9 graduate credit hours (in a 30鈥 or 33鈥恏our master鈥檚 degree program) or 12 hours (in a 36鈥恏our or greater master鈥檚 degree program) may be double counted toward the requirements of both degrees. Only graduate鈥恖evel courses may be counted toward graduate degree requirements.
     
  • ABM students may register for a maximum of 6 hours of graduate credit per semester and total combined registration (both graduate and undergraduate) may not exceed 16 credit hours during a regular semester or 9 credit hours during a summer session.
     
  • ABM students must earn a grade of B or better in all double鈥恈ounted graduate鈥恖evel courses. Graduate courses in which a grade lower than B may be counted toward satisfaction of the baccalaureate degree requirements but not toward the master鈥檚 degree requirements.
     
  • ABM students must maintain an overall graduate GPA of 3.0 or higher, earn a grade of B or better in all ABM graduate鈥恖evel courses, and follow the approved ABM plan of study. If a student falls below an overall graduate GPA of 3.0, does not follow the approved ABM plan of study, or completes the baccalaureate degree requirements with an overall undergraduate GPA of less than 3.0, the student cannot double鈥恈ount graduate credit hours and is ineligible to continue in the ABM plan of study.
     
  • No more than 12 graduate credit hours may be earned while still completing the requirements for the baccalaureate degree.
     
  • ABM students retain their undergraduate status, and thus are assessed undergraduate tuition and fee rates, until they are awarded the baccalaureate degree. 
     
  • ABM students are not eligible for graduate assistantship or fellowship appointments, graduate scholarships, graduate鈥恖evel student worker pay rates, or financial aid for graduate studies until the baccalaureate degree has been conferred.
     
  • ABM students cannot opt to bypass the bachelor鈥檚 degree. The baccalaureate degree must be awarded following completion of the undergraduate degree requirements and at least two semesters before the graduate degree is awarded.
     
  • At the time of application for the baccalaureate degree, students must apply for regular admission to the Graduate School. Upon review of the application and confirmation that the student has met ABM requirements including conferral of the baccalaureate degree, provisional admission is changed to regular admission to graduate studies for the academic term following conferral of the baccalaureate degree.
     
  • All master鈥檚 degree requirements must be completed within six calendar years following admission to the ABM plan of study.
     
  • ABM students may withdraw voluntarily from the ABM plan of study at any time. To do so, they must notify the Graduate School in writing. A copy of the request to withdraw should be sent to their Undergraduate Advisor and Graduate Coordinator.
     
  • If an ABM student voluntarily withdraws from the ABM plan of study, does not meet the ABM continuation requirements, completes the baccalaureate degree requirements with an overall undergraduate GPA of less than 3.0, requests admission to any other graduate program, does not complete the approved master鈥檚 degree requirements within the prescribed time, or otherwise becomes ineligible, the student cannot double鈥恈ount graduate credit hours. In such instances, graduate credits earned as an ABM student would be counted toward satisfaction of the bachelor鈥檚 degree requirements but not toward the master鈥檚 degree requirements.
     

Other Considerations

  • Financial Aid: Students with financial aid (loans, grants, and/or scholarships) accepted into an ABM should consult with the Office of Student Financial Aid before registering for courses. Undergraduate financial aid will only be applied to the statement of account if students are enrolled in the correct number of hours for undergraduate courses, not a combination of undergraduate and graduate courses.
     
  • Undergraduate GPA: Graduate level ABM courses do not count toward the undergraduate GPA.
     
  • Undergraduate Honors: Graduate level ABM courses will not count toward Undergraduate Honors (e.g. President's/Dean's lists, Honors Convocation, Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude, Summa Cum Laude). 

ABM Benefits

Fast

Typically, earning a master's degree takes two years. But with an ABM, you could earn your master's degree with only one more year of classes. You could finish both your bachelor's degree and your master's degree in five years.

Affordable

By choosing an ABM, you could save a full year of tuition dollars. Plus, you'll pay undergraduate tuition for your graduate classes during your senior year.

Familiar

Move right along from undergrad to graduate studies with the quality education you know. Stay connected with your faculty and friends in our community.