College & Department FAQs: Accelerated Degree Programs
When should an Accelerated Degree Program (ADP) student apply for graduation from their bachelor's degree?
Students should apply for graduation in the semester they complete all requirements for their undergraduate degree.
Why is it important to apply for graduation as soon as undergraduate requirements are met?
Timely application for graduation ensures compliance with federal financial aid regulations. Once a student completes undergraduate requirements, the degree must be conferred without delay. Postponing graduation can result in reporting and compliance issues with entities such as KBOR, IPEDS, and others. Additionally, prompt degree conferral allows academic colleges and departments to receive credit for degree completion.
Delaying the process may create complications, particularly if the student does not go on to complete the master’s degree. In such cases, colleges may need to pursue a retroactive conferral process instead of recording the credential when it was truly earned.
Who is responsible for ADP student success?
Undergraduate advisors, in collaboration with the academic department and ADP program director, play a key role in supporting students throughout both degree programs.
Important Reminder:
While a student is enrolled in their primary undergraduate program, undergraduate advisors and the College Dean’s Office should closely track the completion of graduate-level coursework (up to 9 credit hours) and ensure proper timing with the conferral of the bachelor’s degree.
Can students complete both their bachelor's and master's degrees in the same semester?
No.
Students in ADP programs must complete and have their bachelor’s degree officially conferred before they can be fully admitted to the graduate program.
Accelerated students are initially admitted to the graduate program on a provisional basis, contingent on the completion of their undergraduate degree. While in this status, they may take up to nine (9) credit hours of graduate-level courses that count toward both degrees. Students cannot continue with additional graduate coursework beyond those 9 credits until the undergraduate degree is conferred in KSIS.
As an advisor, how do I make sure the correct level is assigned to a student's course in KSIS?
Students—not the system—select the course level when registering in KSIS. They must choose either the undergraduate or graduate career path at the time of enrollment. It’s essential they select the correct level for each course.
As an undergraduate advisor, ensure all coursework (including the 9 graduate-level credits) taken while the student is classified as an undergraduate applies toward their bachelor’s degree.
As a graduate program director or faculty advisor, verify that the 9 credit hours of graduate-level coursework are eligible for both the graduate degree and the undergraduate program. Coordination with the undergraduate advisor and College Dean’s Office is essential.
How are tuition and fees calculated for ADP students?
Advisors do not calculate tuition and fees. Charges are based on the student’s primary academic plan and the course level (undergraduate or graduate) in which they register. Refer to the Tuition and Fees FAQ for more details.
Can a student graduate with both their bachelor's and master's in the same semester?
No, the bachelor's degree must be conferred before the master's degree.
Students in an Accelerated Degree Program (ADP) are allowed to take up to nine (9) credit hours of graduate-level coursework that apply to both their undergraduate and graduate degrees. However, they remain in provisional admission status for the graduate program until their undergraduate degree is officially completed and conferred in KSIS.
As a result, the bachelor’s degree must be awarded first. Students are not permitted to continue registering for graduate-level coursework—beyond the initial 9 shared credit hours—until the undergraduate degree has been officially conferred.
Simultaneous conferral of both degrees is not allowed under current policy and compliance regulations.
Can a stsudent with dual bachelor's majors apply for graduation in different semester?
Yes, students pursuing two distinct bachelor’s degrees may apply for graduation in different terms, especially when one is part of an approved Accelerated Degree Program (ADP).
For example, if a student plans to complete a B.S. in Statistics/Data Science in Fall 2023 and is also pursuing a B.S./M.S. in Mathematics through an ADP with an expected completion in Spring 2025, the student may graduate with the first bachelor's degree while continuing undergraduate coursework for the second.
It is best practice for students to apply for graduation as soon as they have completed all requirements for a given degree program. In this case, once the student finishes the B.S. in Statistics/Data Science (with all coursework at the undergraduate level), they may graduate with that degree.
After that, the student can be provisionally admitted as a non-degree-seeking graduate student for the BS/MS in Mathematics. Keep in mind that only nine (9) credit hours of graduate-level coursework may count toward both the undergraduate and graduate components of the ADP. Any graduate coursework beyond those nine hours may only be taken after the student has:
Fully completed the B.S. in Mathematics requirements, and
Been fully admitted into the graduate program.
This sequencing is important due to federal financial aid regulations, which require that all coursework in a given term must apply either to an undergraduate degree or to a graduate degree—not both. Proper timing of degree conferral helps maintain compliance and ensures accurate program tracking.
