Accelerated Graduate Programs
UMaine undergraduate students in any major can combine their bachelor’s degree with a master’s degree (also known as a 4+1), and can typically earn both degrees with only one extra year of coursework through the Accelerated Program.
The Basics
HOW DOES THE ACCELERATED PROGRAM WORK?
As a current undergraduate student at UMaine, you’ll complete the majority of your bachelor’s degree in the first three years and start your graduate degree work in your senior year. This allows you to double count up to 9 credits for both degrees and take graduate-level courses at the undergraduate tuition rate. See current graduate tuition rates here to determine the savings you’ll receive depending on your residency status.
Generally, you’ll begin the process in your junior year by reaching out to the graduate program of interest to learn about how to apply to the accelerated program and what supporting materials they need. Once you’ve received your provisional admission to the 4+1 program, you’ll submit your graduate application to the Graduate School, usually in your senior year.
WHAT HAPPENS AFTER I AM PROVISIONALY ADMITTED?
Once you are provisionally admitted into the Accelerated Program, you must maintain at least a 3.0 GPA and earn grades of B or higher in the graduate courses that will count toward your master’s degree. You will submit your graduate school application here and once your bachelor’s degree has been conferred, you’ll transition into the master’s program. The Graduate School will transfer the graduate courses taken in your senior year to your master’s degree once you’ve met the graduate degree requirements.
NEXT STEPS
Ready to get started? Here are some of the first steps you’ll take to be part of the Accelerated Program.
