The Accelerated Graduate Degree Program (AGDP) in Hispanic Studies allows students to begin accumulating credits towards completion of a master’s degree while still enrolled as undergraduates. Undergraduate students admitted to the Hispanic Studies AGDP, with senior standing, may take up to 12 credit hours of designated 5000- or 6000-level courses for graduate credit. These designated courses may be used in completion of both the bachelor’s degree and the master’s degree.

Degree hours
An undergraduate degree in Spanish requires a total of 122 credit hours. (The Spanish major requires a total of 30 credit hours of Spanish.) The Master of Arts in Hispanic Studies requires a total of 30 credit hours. Students enrolling in the AGDP for the minimum 12 graduate credits would earn 140 total undergraduate and graduate credit hours in contrast to the typical combined 152 undergraduate and graduate credit hours under the progression to degree(s).

Students will pay undergraduate tuition for the AGDP eligible 5000 and 6000-level courses as undergraduates and the courses will be included in the flat tuition rate. On completion of the undergraduate degree, the students will be re-classified as a graduate student and then will pay graduate tuition rates.

Eligibility for application
This program is open to undergraduate students in both Spanish majors (non-teaching and Education Curriculum). A student must have: 1) senior status, 2) a cumulative undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 based on at least 45 earned hours, 15 of which must be earned at Western Michigan University, and 3) a declared Spanish major. Undergraduate students enrolled in the AGDP will be expected to meet graduate expectation in their graduate courses. Students who have received their baccalaureate degrees will be ineligible to apply for this program and retroactively claim credits toward the M.A. degree.

Admission criteria
The student must meet the established master’s program admission criteria:

1. An undergraduate minimum GPA of 3.5 in Spanish (based on 15 credit hours earned at WMU and on at least 20 credit hours in a declared major in Spanish).
2. Two letters of recommendation from persons familiar with the applicant’s academic background and Spanish language skills.
3. A brief statement (approximately 250 words in Spanish) of career objectives and academic and professional interests.

Admission procedure

1. As early as possible in the academic junior year, the potential AGDP student should contact the director of graduate studies to discuss this AGDP option and review the requirements, timelines, and application procedures.
2. Students must apply for admission to the graduate program with the Office of Admissions/graduate admissions and must complete the necessary application materials for admission to the master’s program in the Department of Spanish.
3. Upon acceptance into the AGDP, the students must meet together with the director of graduate studies and an undergraduate academic advisor to prepare an appropriate program of study that meets the requirements for the undergraduate and graduate degrees.
4. A letter advising which graduate courses will be counted in both degrees will be sent to the student and to the registrar. A copy of this letter will also be included in the student’s graduate file.

Requirements for continuing eligibility and graduation

1. It is expected that the baccalaureate degree will be awarded within one calendar year after initial AGDP enrollment. Students not meeting this time constraint must re-apply to be admitted to the graduate program.
2. In order to progress automatically into the graduate program, the student must achieve a grade of “B” or better in each of the graduate courses being counted for the undergraduate degree, as well as maintain a 3.0 GPA overall. Students who do not meet this requirement will have the earned grade applied to their undergraduate degree only and must apply for readmission into the graduate program. Student who complete the undergraduate degree including a “B” or above in the specified graduate courses will be admitted as graduate students (with the relevant graduate credit) in the next semester or session after receiving the bachelor’s degree. Once students have earned their bachelor’s degree and have been admitted as graduate students, they will be eligible to apply for a teaching assistantship.
3. A student completing the undergraduate degree with a GPA within the Spanish major of less than 3.0 will be automatically declared ineligible for the AGDP.
4. A student in the AGDP must follow the program of study developed with the graduate director and the undergraduate advisor. Failure to follow this program of study may result in ineligibility for the AGDP.
5. Students must complete the requirements for the M.A. degree within 24 months from the completion of the bachelor’s degree. Students unable to meet this requirement must apply for an extension with the director of graduate studies in the Department of Spanish.
6. Students who have completed the Accelerated Graduate Degree Program will have it noted on their undergraduate and graduate transcript.
7. Any student who becomes ineligible to continue participation in the AGDP will be notifies in writing by the director of graduate studies.

Withdrawal
A student may at any time withdraw from the AGDP by informing the director of graduate studies in the Department of Spanish in writing. A copy of the request to withdraw must be sent to the Graduate College and the Registrar’s Office.