Accelerated and Combined Degree Programs

Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s (ABM) 5 year degree program

The Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master's (ABM) degree program allows exceptional undergraduate students at UND an opportunity to complete the requirements for both the bachelor's and master's degrees at an accelerated pace. These students may double count up to twelve (12) graduate-level credits and obtain a master's degree within 12 months of completing the bachelor's degree.

The 4+1 ABM program is only available to students in departments/programs that have chosen to participate and create a 4+1 option.  Students interested in a cross-department ABM must first speak to, and request approval from, the Department Chair of their undergraduate program and the Graduate Program Director of the desired graduate program.  The decision whether to approve a student’s request is entirely that of the two departments involved. 

Combined Bachelor's/Master's program

The Combined Bachelor's/Master's (CBM) program allows undergraduate students at UND an opportunity to complete the requirements for both the bachelor's and master's degrees at an accelerated pace. These students may double count up to six (6) graduate-level credits for both degrees. The completion of this program differs from the Accelerated Bachelor's/Master's program in that it is not constrained to the 4+1 time frame. This format may be used for programs that do not fit in the 4+1 structure.

Admission to an ABM/CBM Program: Student eligibility requirements

  1. Students must meet all graduate admissions requirements as posted in the Graduate Catalog. Students will not be required to prove English Language Proficiency a second time.
  2. Students must be an enrolled UND student in an undergraduate program.
  3. Students must have completed a minimum of 60 credits, including credits earned from advanced placement, dual credit, and transfer credits. Students must apply before completion of the double counted credits and the undergraduate degree.
  4. Students must have a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0/4.0 at UND at the time of admission into the ABM degree program

Individual departments may impose stricter or additional minimum admission requirements

Application for an ABM/CBM Program:

Before admission to an ABM program can be finalized, students must submit, while still an undergraduate, the standard application for admission to the School of Graduate Studies, including an application, application fee, personal statement, letters of recommendation and transcripts. Individual departments may choose to require GRE scores or other information.

A Program of Study, signed by the applicant, the graduate advisor, and the Director of the Graduate Program must be submitted with the application. If the student is in a specialized plan, the signature of the undergraduate advisor and undergraduate department chair are also required.

Applications accepted for admission to the Graduate Program will not be matriculated until completion of the bachelor’s degree.

ABM/CBM Program Policies:

  1. Students must complete the bachelor’s degree prior to being matriculated into the master’s program. Students in the ABM/CBM program may not elect to bypass the bachelor’s degree.
  2. Students must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0/4.0 at UND to remain eligible for the ABM/CBM degree program. The GPA requirement includes undergraduate and graduate careers. Individual departments may impose stricter minimum GPA requirements.
    1. If a student’s undergraduate GPA falls below a 3.0, they need program approval to continue to pursue the ABM/CBM degree program.
    2. If the GPA of the double counted credits only falls below a 3.0, the student will be placed on graduate academic probation.
  3. No more than twelve (12) credits for an accelerated program or six (6) credits for a combined program of graduate work may be counted toward the requirements of both degrees.
    1. For an accelerated program, students must complete the master’s degree within 12 months from the completion of the bachelor’s degree.
  4. Leave of Absence
    1. Students in an accelerated program may request a leave of absence only after an exception has been granted. Please see the section on exceptions below.
    2. Students in a combined program may request a leave of absence of up to one year.
  5. Readmission
    1. Students in an accelerated program who fail to request a leave of absence are not eligible for a readmission into the accelerated program. Student will be eligible to be readmitted into the combined program and only allowed to double count up to six (6) credits.
    2. Students in a combined program who fail to request a leave of absence may be considered for readmission to the combined program.

Continuing Eligibility for ABM/CBM Programs:

If a student becomes ineligible to participate in the ABM degree program, the student will be notified via email by the Director of the Graduate Program, the Department Chair, or the School of Graduate Studies.

A student who is ineligible to participate in (or withdraws from) the ABM/CBM program, cannot double count any courses. The courses that were identified as double counted will remain on the undergraduate transcript only.

Exceptions to the Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s Degree Program Time Limits:

For those programs with an accelerated 4+1 structure, the School of Graduate Studies may grant exception to the time limits. The Dean will consider and evaluate the specific nature of the extenuating circumstances and the compelling reasons that prompted the Director of the Graduate Program and/or the advisory committee to make the request. Requests may be submitted formally and should explain the extenuating circumstances and provide a reasonable timeline for completing the work within the limits of the extension. A request for an exception can be made by submitting a Graduate School Petition form.