Accelerated Graduate Pathways
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Earn Two Degrees — In Less Time
For undergraduate students looking ahead to graduate school, we offer several Accelerated Graduate Pathways that allow you to begin graduate study while completing your bachelor's degree — saving you time and money.
For highly motivated undergraduate students looking ahead to graduate school, we offer an Accelerated Graduate Pathway to our MBA program. The graduate application and fee will be waived if you meet undergraduate progress standards, and you will be automatically admitted the University of Southern Maine (USM) MBA program.
Undergraduate majors that can enroll: All majors can enroll in this pathway. Please be advised that some majors that require 70 credits or more will extend the normal timeline for the Accelerated Graduate Pathway.
Accelerated Graduate Pathway requirements: Learn more
Enrolling in the Accelerated Graduate Pathway
- Prospective undergraduate students: You can select this pathway when you apply to USM for undergraduate study.
- Current students: This pathway is most beneficial when you declare it as early as possible in your undergraduate studies. Contact your Academic Advisor to learn more about how the pathway can work with your current academic progress.
Questions?
- Prospective undergraduate students: Contact the Office of Admissions
- Current students: Contact your Academic Advisor
Our Accelerated Graduate Pathway to the MSEd in Teaching and Learning — Extended Teacher Education Program (ETEP) program allows up to six undergraduate course credits to be applied toward graduate program requirements. In addition to saving time and money, you’ll also have a reduced course load during the intensive graduate internship year.
Undergraduate majors that can apply: All majors can enroll in this pathway. Please be advised that some majors that require 70 credits or more will extend the normal timeline for the Accelerated Graduate Pathway.
Accelerated Graduate Pathway requirements: Learn more
How to Apply for the Accelerated Graduate Pathway
- Prerequisites before applying for the pathway:
- You must apply for the pathway while you are enrolled in 300 or 400 level courses, and before you take any 500 level courses.
- Complete EDU 222 and SED 335.
- Deadline to apply: We suggest you submit your Accelerated Graduate Pathway application by December 1, but we will accept applications until January 30.
- To apply for the pathway: Contact Academic Advisors Michael Katz or Christen Eaton to learn more about how the pathway can work with your current academic progress.
Admission to the Teacher and Learning ETEP graduate program
During your undergraduate studies in this pathway, you will be required to submit the graduate program application along with all required admission materials. Your Academic Advisor will provide guidance on submitting your application.
Questions?
- For information about the MSEd in Teaching and Learning ETEP program: Contact Michael Katz, Academic Advisor
- For information about the Accelerated Graduate Pathway: Contact Academic Advisors Michael Katz or Christen Eaton
Our Accelerated Graduate Pathway to the Master’s in Special Education program allows undergraduate course credits to count toward graduate program requirements. This allows for exposure to education-related courses over multiple years as well as a reduced course load in the graduate program.
Undergraduate majors that can apply: All majors can enroll in this pathway. Please be advised that some majors that require 70 credits or more will extend the normal timeline for the Accelerated Graduate Pathway.
Accelerated Graduate Pathway requirements: Learn more
How to Apply for the Accelerated Graduate Pathway
- Prerequisites before declaring the pathway:
- You should declare this pathway while you are taking your final 300-level course, and before you take any 400-level courses.
- Complete SED 335 and EDU 305.
- To apply for the pathway: Contact Academic Advisors Michael Katz or Christen Eaton to learn more about how the pathway can work with your current academic progress.
About the Special Education (MS) program
The Special Education (MS) program is an online program. You can complete your MS in Special Education on a part-time or full-time basis.
Admission to the Special Education (MS) program
During your undergraduate studies in this pathway, you will be required to submit the graduate program application along with all required admission materials. Your Academic Advisor will provide guidance on submitting your application.
Questions?
- For information about the Special Education graduate program: Contact Michael Katz, Academic Advisor
- For information about the Accelerated Graduate Pathway: Contact Academic Advisors Michael Katz or Christen Eaton
Our Accelerated Graduate Pathway to the University of Maine School of Law allows you to complete both a Bachelor's and a JD degree in as few as six years, rather than the usual seven. During your final year of undergraduate study, if you meet progress requirements and Law School admissions standards, you can begin taking graduate-level Law courses. These courses will satisfy credit requirements for your undergraduate program as well as the first year of the Law program. You’ll save up to 30 credits worth of undergraduate fees, tuition, and expenses.
Undergraduate majors that can enroll:
- Criminology
- Economics (BA or BS)
- English
- Geography-Anthropology
- History
- Linguistics
- Philosophy
- Political Science (Political Science Track)
- Sociology
Learn more
Enrolling in the Accelerated Graduate Pathway
- Prospective undergraduate students: You can select this pathway when you apply to USM for undergraduate study.
- Current students: This pathway is most beneficial when you declare it as early as possible in your undergraduate studies. Contact your Academic Advisor to learn more about how the pathway can work with your current academic progress.
Admission to University of Maine School of Law
During your undergraduate studies in this pathway, you will be required to submit an application to the University of Maine School of Law and be accepted into that program. In addition to standard School of Law application requirements, you must achieve a Law School Admission Test (LSAT) score that is no lower than the current median LSAT posted on the Maine Law website.
Questions?
- Prospective undergraduate students: Contact the Office of Admissions.
- Current students: Contact your Academic Advisor.
Our Accelerated Graduate Pathway to the Leadership Studies master’s program allows you to begin taking graduate-level courses during your final year of undergraduate studies. These courses will satisfy credit requirements for both the undergraduate program as well as the graduate program. You’ll save up to 12 credits — which also saves you time and money.
Additionally, the graduate application and fee will be waived if you meet undergraduate progress standards, and you’ll be automatically admitted to the University of Southern Maine (USM) Leadership Studies graduate program.
Undergraduate majors that can enroll: All majors can enroll in this pathway. Please be advised that some majors that require 70 credits or more will extend the normal timeline for the Accelerated Graduate Pathway.
Accelerated Graduate Pathway requirements: Learn more
Enrolling in the Accelerated Graduate Pathway
- Prospective undergraduate students: You can select this pathway when you apply to USM for undergraduate study.
- Current students: This pathway is most beneficial when you declare it as early as possible in your undergraduate studies. Contact your Academic Advisor to learn more about how the pathway can work with your current academic progress.
About the Leadership Studies program
Both the Leadership Studies bachelor’s degree and master’s degree programs can be completed fully on-campus, fully online, or through a blend of both on-campus and online courses.
Questions?
- Prospective undergraduate students: Contact the Office of Admissions
- Current students: Contact your Academic Advisor
Our Accelerated Graduate Pathway to the MOT program allows you to begin taking graduate-level courses during your final year of undergraduate studies. These courses will satisfy credit requirements for both the undergraduate program as well as the graduate program — saving you time and money.
Undergraduate majors that can enroll:
- Health Sciences
- Natural and Applied Sciences
- Social and Behavioral Sciences
Accelerated Graduate Pathway requirements: Learn more
Declaring the Accelerated Graduate Pathway
- Health Sciences majors: You can declare the MOT Pathway as your track of study. We suggest that you select your track of study before completing 30 credits hours. Contact your Academic Advisor to set a time to discuss your interests.
- Natural and Applied Sciences majors: This pathway is most beneficial when you declare it as early as possible in your undergraduate studies. We suggest that you declare the pathway before completing 60 credit hours. Contact your Academic Advisor to get started.
- Social and Behavioral Sciences majors: This pathway is most beneficial when you declare it as early as possible in your undergraduate studies. We suggest that you declare the pathway before completing 60 credit hours. Contact your Academic Advisor to get started.
Admission to the MOT program
During your undergraduate studies in this pathway, you will be required to submit the graduate program application along with all required admission materials. Your Academic Advisor will provide guidance on submitting your graduate application.
Questions?
- Prospective undergraduate students: Contact the Office of Admissions
- Current students: Contact your Academic Advisor.
Our Accelerated Graduate Pathway to the MPPM program allows you to begin taking graduate-level courses during your final year of undergraduate studies, after completing 90 credits. These courses will satisfy credit requirements for both the undergraduate program as well as the graduate program. You’ll save up to 18 credits — which also saves you time and money.
Additionally, the graduate application and fee will be waived if you meet undergraduate progress standards, and you’ll be automatically admitted to the University of Southern Maine (USM) Master's in Policy, Planning, and Management program.
Undergraduate majors that can enroll:
- Economics
- Environmental Planning and Policy
- Geography-Anthropology
- Political Science
Accelerated Graduate Pathway requirements: Learn more
Enrolling in the Accelerated Graduate Pathway
- Prospective students: You can select this pathway when you apply to USM for undergraduate study.
- Current undergraduate students: This pathway is most beneficial when you declare it as early as possible in your undergraduate studies. Contact your Academic Advisor to learn more about how the pathway can work with your current academic progress.
Questions?
- Prospective students: Contact the Office of Admissions
- Current undergraduate students: Contact your Academic Advisor
Our Accelerated Graduate Pathway to the Statistics graduate program allows you to begin taking graduate-level courses during your final year of undergraduate studies. These courses will satisfy credit requirements for both the undergraduate program as well as the graduate program. You’ll save up to 6 credits — which also saves you time and money.
Additionally, the graduate application and fee will be waived if you meet undergraduate progress standards, and you’ll be automatically admitted to the University of Southern Maine (USM) Master's in Statistics program.
Undergraduate majors that can enroll:
- Biology
- Biochemistry
- Biotechnology
- Chemistry
- Electrical Engineering
- Environmental Science
- Health Sciences
- Mathematics
- Mechanical Engineering
- Physics
Accelerated Graduate Pathway requirements: Learn more
Enrolling in the Accelerated Graduate Pathway
- Prospective undergraduate students: You can select this pathway when you apply to USM for undergraduate study.
- Current students: This pathway is most beneficial when you declare it as early as possible in your undergraduate studies. Contact your Academic Advisor to learn more about how the pathway can work with your current academic progress.
Questions?
- Prospective undergraduate students: Contact the Office of Admissions
- Current students: Contact your Academic Advisor
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is an Accelerated Graduate Pathway the right fit for you and your major? Not seeing what you’re looking for? Let us answer your questions.