Accelerated Graduate Degree Program

The Department of Comparative Religion at Western Michigan University offers an accelerated graduate degree program (AGDP) in Comparative Religion that allows seniors to accumulate credits towards the completion of a master’s degree while still enrolled as an undergraduate. Students admitted to the Comparative Religion (AGDP) may take up to 12 credit hours of designated 5000 and 6000-level courses for graduate credit. The designated courses may be used to complete both the bachelor’s degree and the master’s degree.

Degree Hours

A Comparative Religion major requires a total of 24 credits. The Master of Arts in Comparative Religion requires a total of 30 credit hours. Students enrolling in the AGDP take 12 graduate credits in their senior year and 18 in the second year of their accelerated degree program.

Eligibility

This program is open to undergraduate students. You must have:

• Junior status.
• A cumulative undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 based on at least 56 earned hours.
• A declared Comparative Religion major. If you have received your B.A. degree you will be ineligible to apply for this program and retroactively claim credits toward the M.A. degree.

Admission

• Early in your junior year, contact the graduate advisor of the Department of Comparative Religion to discuss this option and review the requirements, timelines and application procedures.
• Before completing your application, apply for graduation by completing your undergraduate audit with the College of Arts and Sciences advising staff, and returning the audit form to the Registrar’s Office.
• Apply for admission to the comparative religion master’s program and complete the necessary application materials; applications are due January 15 each year.
• Upon acceptance into the AGDP, meet with the graduate advisor of the Department of Comparative Religion and an undergraduate academic advisor to prepare a program of study that meets the requirements for both degrees.
• An AGDP Course Approval Form listing which graduate courses will be counted in both degrees will be sent to you and to the Office of the Registrar.

Criteria for admission:

• Undergraduate minimum GPA of 3.5 in comparative religion courses (based on at least 12 credit hours)
• Two letters of recommendation
• A brief statement explaining why you wish to pursue the accelerated MA in Comparative Religion.

Requirements for Continuing Eligibility and Graduation:

• You will pay undergraduate tuition for AGDP eligible 5000 and 6000-level courses; the courses will be included in the flat tuition rate. Upon completion of the undergraduate degree, you will be reclassified as a graduate student and begin paying graduate tuition.
• It is expected that the B.A. degree will be awarded within one calendar year after initial AGDP enrollment.
• Once you have earned the bachelor’s degree and have been admitted as a graduate student, you will be eligible to apply for a graduate assistantship.
• Follow the program of study developed with the graduate director and the undergraduate advisor.