The accelerated degree program (AGDP) allows undergraduate students in the civil and construction engineering program an opportunity to complete requirements for the master’s degree at an accelerated pace. These undergraduate students may count up to nine (but not less than six) credit hours of 5000-level courses, taken during their undergraduate studies, towards a master’s degree in civil engineering within 24 months of completing the bachelor’s degree in civil engineering or construction engineering. These students may choose to pursue a master’s degree in civil engineering under either the thesis option or the non-thesis option.
This program will allow an undergraduate student, majoring in civil or construction engineering, to complete an accelerated master’s degree in civil engineering by completing either 147 combined undergraduate/graduate credit hours (if choosing the thesis or project option), or 153 combined undergraduate/graduate credit hours (if choosing the non-thesis option).
Application to the Accelerated Degree Program
A prospective student who meets the eligibility requirements (see Criteria for Admission below) must set up a meeting with the CCE undergraduate advisor and the graduate advisor to complete the Accelerated Degree Program Planning form for the master’s degree program.
Before admission to an AGDP can be finalized, a student must submit the standard application for admission to the Office of Admissions/graduate admissions including:
- Application
- Application fee
- Copy of all college transcript
Criteria for Admission to the Accelerated Degree Program:
Permission to pursue the accelerated degree does not guarantee admission to the Graduate College. Admission is contingent on meeting the following eligibility requirements at the time of entering the graduate program:
- A student must declare their interest before completing 96 credit hours in their undergraduate programs, including credits earned from advanced placement.
- A transfer student must have completed a minimum of 30 credit hours as a full-time student at WMU.
- A student must have a minimum accumulated GPA of 3.0/4.0 based upon credit hours earned at WMU.
Accelerated Program Planning Form
The Accelerated Program Planning Form must clearly indicate the following:
- The 5000-level courses (a maximum of nine graduate credit hours) that will be counted for both the bachelor’s and master’s degrees.
- The graduation date for the master’s degree that meets the time limit for the AGDP program (i.e. obtaining a master’s degree in civil engineering within 24 months of completing the bachelor’s degree). Any changes to the AGDP Planning form must be submitted, in writing, and approved by the graduate advisor and graduate dean.
Requirements for Participation and Graduation
1. Students must complete the bachelor’s degree prior to entering the master’s program. Students in the AGDP may not elect to bypass the bachelor’s degree.
2. Students will only be allowed to count a maximum of nine 5000-level credits taken during their undergraduate studies toward their master’s degree.
3. Students must receive a grade of “B” (3.0/4.0) or better in the 5000-level courses taken during their undergraduate studies. Courses with a grade of “CB” or below cannot be counted toward the master’s degree.
4. No more than nine hours of graduate work may be counted towards the requirements of both degrees.
5. Students must complete the master’s degree with 24 months of completing the bachelor’s degree. If the master’s program is not completed within these time limits, none of the 5000-level courses specified on the Accelerated Degree Program Planning form can be counted toward the master’s degree.
Continuing Eligibility
1. It is the responsibility of the student to recognize his/her eligibility status.
2. A student completing the bachelor’s degree requirements with an accumulated GPA of less than 3.0/4.0 is no longer eligible to count the 5000-level credit hours specified on the AGDP Planning form toward the master’s degree and is automatically terminated from the GADP.
3. A student who does not follow the approved AGDP Planning form may become ineligible to participate in the AGDP program.
4. A student who is ineligible to participate in (or withdraws from the AGDP cannot count any of the courses specified on the Accelerated Degree Program Planning form for both bachelor’s and master’s degrees. These courses, however, may be counted toward the student’s bachelor’s degree upon the discretion of the undergraduate advisor.
5. A student who becomes ineligible to participate in the accelerated degree program must be informed by the graduate advisor in writing of his/her ineligibility. A copy of this letter to the student must be sent to the Graduate College.
Withdrawal
A student may, at any time, withdraw from the Accelerated Degree Program by informing both the director of undergraduate programs and the graduate advisor, in writing. A copy of this request to withdraw must be sent to the Graduate College and the registrar’s office.
