Accelerated Scholars Handbook

RIT’s Combined Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s Degrees are for our most highly focused, forward-thinking, goal-oriented students.

These pathways enable you to earn both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in less time and at a lower cost, with a guaranteed scholarship for your graduate tuition. This handbook provides valuable information about the program.

Note: This information does not apply to the Physician Assistant BS/MS or any Partner Programs with other universities.


Terms and Definitions

Combined Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s Programs allow students to complete both a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree in less time at a lower cost. This includes Dual-Degree Programs (BS/MS, MS/ME) and Accelerated Bachelor’s + Master’s (+1 MBA, 4+2 BFA/M.Arch). Learn more about the types of accelerated degrees

Accelerated Scholar refers to any student enrolled in a Combined Accelerated Program. This includes students who have received conditional early acceptance through admissions as an incoming first year student and students who apply within the department via the enrolled student pathway.

Types of Accelerated Degree Programs

Dual Degree Programs (BS/MS, BS/ME)

Use the Double Counting Model

A dual degree program is one in which the student works towards satisfying the academic requirements for both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in an integrated fashion and credit hours are double counted.

How the Double Counting Model Works

  • Students are generally able to double-count 3, 6, 9, or 12 credit hours in both the bachelor’s and master’s degrees. To compare, select your bachelor's degree from our list of programs, and within the curriculum section of the degree page, you will find both the typical course sequence charts for the bachelor’s and the combined program.
  • Students are enrolled in both undergraduate and graduate coursework at the same time (typically beginning in their 4th year).
  • Students receive two diplomas, one for each degree earned.
  • The undergraduate degree may be conferred once the requirements are completed, but in many programs, students complete both degrees at the same time. Your advisor can share how it works for your pathway.
  • Students may be able to participate in both convocations and graduation ceremonies. Connect with your academic advisor with questions.

Note: The information and guidelines above do not apply to the Physician Assistant BS/MS or Partner Programs with other universities. For information, review the Physician Assistant BS/MS.

Accelerated Degree Programs (+1 MBA, 4+2 BFA/M.Arch.)p

Use the Course Waiver Model

Accelerated degree programs allow students to earn both a bachelor's and master's degree in less time and cost than it would normally take to complete each degree separately. These programs waive a limited number of courses.

How the Course Waiver Model Works

A limited number of graduate courses can be waived by taking a combination of select undergraduate coursework that covers content in the graduate program.

  • Students work with an MBA advisor to plan for at least 4, and up to 6 course waivers.
  • Students must earn a grade of B or higher in order to receive a course waiver.
  • Up to 18 (six classes) of 48 credits can be waived toward the MBA.
  • The +1 MBA is an option for students from ALL majors provided they are able to build at least 4 course waivers into their undergraduate plan of study.
  • Students with less than 4 course waivers may apply for admission to the MBA, and will be considered for the waivers, but are not considered Accelerated Scholars.
  • For more information, visit the Accelerated +1 MBA page.
  • MBA Contact: Matt Cornwell, Associate Director of Student Services, mcornwell@saunders.rit.edu
  • Pathways come from the Industrial Design BFA and Interior Design BFA.
  • Students work with their academic advisor from the College of Art and Design to plan for up to 30 credits waived from the M.Arch. (of the 90 required). View additional information.
  • Students must earn a grade of B or higher in courses reviewed for waivers.
  • 4+2 BFA/M.Arch. students are required to take one physical science course and one math course prior to enrolling in the M.Arch. program. 
  • The M.Arch. department will set up a portfolio review meeting with all Accelerated Scholars during year 3 of the BFA.
  • M.Arch. Contact: Seth Holmes, Associate Professor and Dennis Andrejko, M.Arch. Department Chair

How to Become an Accelerated Scholar

Option A – Conditional Early Acceptance

Beginning in fall 2021, outstanding applicants for first-year admission were offered conditional early acceptance as incoming first-year students. Conditional early acceptance offers are based on a number of criteria including high school GPA, rigor and level of curriculum, academic performance, and test scores if provided. Typically, our Accelerated Scholars are highly achieving students involved in community, performing arts, athletics, and other school activities who place within the top quartile of their applicant cohort for their respective RIT major.

View the complete list of Combined Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s degree pathways. Not all programs offer early acceptance. Look for the ‘early accept icon’ to see which pathways have an early accept option.

Accelerated Scholars are considered conditionally accepted to their Combined Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s pathway during their first two to three years of study (depending on their program/pathway). That conditional status will remain until the point of department review and a decision is made regarding continuation in the program.

General conditions are as follows:

  • Successfully complete at least two years of undergraduate study (timing of department review varies by program).
  • Attain a minimum GPA as specified by the degree program at the point of department review.
  • Make adequate progress toward graduation, as evidenced by successfully completing all course work and cooperative education scheduled to be completed by the time of department review.
  • Other factors that may impact student eligibility for continuance include: incidents of academic misconduct, unresolved grades of D, I or F, or excessive course withdrawals.
  • View the specific requirements for continuance in a particular Combined Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s Degree.

There is no additional application. The Combined Accelerated Programs Team will reach out to you via email at the time of your review and follow up with you with the results of the review process. You will receive notification of one of the following results:

Confirmed to Continue
Students who are approved by their department for continuance to their Master’s program:

  • Must carefully review the relative Financial Aid Policy changes that will occur at graduate status.
  • Will be asked to confirm their intent to continue or to opt-out if they are no longer interested.
    • For those who opt out, if a co-op requirement was waived as part of your Accelerated Scholars study plan, it will be placed back on your record and required for completion of your Bachelor’s degree.

Delayed Decision
This indicates that your department has allowed another semester for you to meet conditional criteria, at which point you will be reviewed again. This is only used in special circumstances as determined by the graduate program director. 

Not Meeting Conditional Requirements
At this time you will be able to simply continue on and focus on your undergraduate degree. The Master’s portion of the academic plan will be removed from your record. You may have the opportunity to apply to a Combined Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s program in a future semester if you meet the requirements by working directly with the department. If a co-op requirement was waived as part of your Accelerated Scholars study plan, it will be placed back on your record and required for completion of your Bachelor’s.

Option B – Join as an Enrolled RIT Student (Enrolled Student Pathway)

Current RIT students can apply to a Combined Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s program via the Enrolled Student Pathway after their second or third year of study. This is also the pathway for any Combined Accelerated Program that does not have an early accept option. 

The application process is managed by the academic department. The timing of this process and the application requirements vary from program to program. For more information about the application process, check with your academic advisor or the graduate program contact. The Accelerated Scholar graduate-level scholarship will still apply once you reach graduate status.

General Timelines for Accelerated Scholars

General Timeline for Early Accept Combined Accelerated Degree Programs

  • Focus on undergraduate courses (within your major and in your general education requirements)
  • Get to know advisors and your professors and take advantage of faculty office hours.
  • Keep an eye on your email for Accelerated Scholar updates and information sessions.
  • Attend Accelerated Scholar events. Ask questions.
  • Get involved by joining a club, team, or student organization.
  • Learn about co-op, research, study abroad, and experiential learning opportunities (requirements and timing vary by program)
  • +1 MBA and 4+2 BFA/M Arch students may start taking courses that count toward graduate waivers
  • For students conditionally accepted to their pathway as an incoming first year student, Department Review of eligibility to continue toward the graduate portion of your studies will be conducted (timing varies by program).
  • Learn more about Conditions for Continuance
  • Continue to focus on undergraduate courses. Do well and seek support as needed.
  • Complete co-op requirements and experiential learning (requirements and timing vary by program).
  • Keep checking your email and attend Accelerated Scholar events and information sessions.
  • Stay connected to your academic advisor(s).
  • Learn about your intended graduate program.
  • Explore career options. Discuss elective and graduate course options with advisors or a faculty member.
  • Look into research opportunities if applicable to your program
  • Stay involved by participating in clubs and student organizations or attending lectures and seminars.
  • Students in BS/MS, BS/ME programs will start taking graduate degree courses
  • Work closely with faculty and academic advisors to
    • refine career interests
    • choose upper level electives and graduate courses of interest
    • make sure degree requirements are met
  • Connect with financial aid with questions about tuition changes related to graduate study
  • Complete co-op requirements and gain experiential learning experience (Requirements and timing vary by program)
  • Talk with faculty advisors about graduate degree completion (research or a capstone project)
  • Stay involved
  • Be a mentor or a program ambassador to help support other Accelerated Scholars

General Timeline for Current Students in the Enrolled Student Pathway

Timelines and time of entry for current RIT students varies from program to program and typically occurs in the second or third year of study.  Contact your academic advisor or a graduate program contact for more information on enrollment eligibility, timing, and criteria for entry.

Transition to Graduate Status

Dual Degree Programs

When a student enters the program as an undergraduate they are set up as an undergraduate student in the Student Information System (SIS). Students will transition to graduate status the semester after the following occur:

  • Student has been approved by their department for continuance (only applies if the student was conditionally accepted as an incoming student) AND
  • Student has completed the number of credits toward their degree program (current enrollment plus total earned credit) that meet or exceed the credit count required for the undergraduate degree which varies between 120-129 credits. Check your Academic Advising Report (AAR) in the Student Information System (SIS) to verify the number of credits required for your undergraduate degree. 
  • Students who appear that they may be transitioning to graduate status early will be reviewed to ensure they progress appropriately. Once the transition to graduate status occurs, students will be considered graduate students for tuition and financial aid purposes and receive a scholarship off graduate tuition. Students will receive an email notification from the Combined Accelerated team with information and resources when this change occurs. Learn more about Financial Aid
  • Students will have two enrollment shopping carts (Undergraduate and Graduate) on SIS once the transition to graduate status occurs. The two shopping carts have different enrollment times, so check SIS and make note of both times. Here are guidelines for how to accurately register for courses using the undergraduate and graduate shopping carts:
Use your Undergraduate Shopping Cart for: Use your Graduate Shopping Cart for:
  • All UNDERGRADUATE courses
  • GRADUATE courses that will fulfill an undergraduate requirement only
  • GRADUATE courses that will fulfill both an undergraduate and graduate requirement (double counted courses)
  • GRADUATE courses that will fulfill a graduate requirement only

Accelerated Degree Programs

  • Students in these accelerated degree programs transition to graduate status once their undergraduate degree is completed.
  • Students in these Bachelor’s + Master’s programs will be admitted to their graduate program through administrative processing through the graduate admissions office and receive admission and scholarship letters related to their MBA or M Arch. Students will then need to accept the offer of admission in their admission portal but do not need to pay a tuition deposit.
  • The graduate-level scholarship is applied to MBA or M Arch tuition rates. Learn more about Financial Aid
  • Students may take up to three terms (including summer) away from RIT after completing their Bachelor’s degree prior to beginning the MBA or M Arch. They will not be considered active students during this time and will not have access to campus resources such as RIT Housing, the Wallace Library, or health and wellness services. If students are away for longer than this time frame, they will need to reapply to their graduate program through Graduate Admissions.

How Financial Aid Changes

Your financial aid will change over the course of a Combined Accelerated Bachelor's/Master's Degree program:

  • When a student enrolls as an undergraduate student (undergraduate status), they will be billed undergraduate tuition and fees rates, and receive undergraduate financial aid.
  • The Office of the Registrar notifies the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships when a student has advanced to graduate student status (see Transition to Graduate Status).
  • Once a student advances to graduate status, their undergraduate tuition, fees, and financial aid no longer applies and tuition is adjusted to the graduate tuition rate.
  • The Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships will award the Combined Pathways Scholarship toward the graduate tuition rate based on the student’s entry term to RIT.
  • The student’s new tuition and fees and scholarship award are then assessed by Student Financial Services.

Details about the change in financial aid for a specific program can be found on the Combined Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s Financial Aid website.

Any financial-aid related questions should be directed to ritaid@rit.edu or a Financial Aid Counselor.

Opt-Out of the Accelerated Pathway at Any Time

Students may choose to opt out of the accelerated degree program and simply focus on the bachelor’s degree if future plans change. If you have concerns about your GPA, and ability to bring up your GPA to meet the requirement in the future, consider using a GPA calculator. There are several available online that you can use, including one on TigerCenter made by student developers.

Access the Opt-Out Form

Note: Any previously applied BS/MS or MS/ME co-op waivers will be removed for students who choose to opt out. All co-op requirements of your program will need to be completed.

Additional Resources

Policies of Particular Interest for Graduate Students

Some RIT policies differ for undergraduate and graduate degree programs. It is important for Accelerated Scholars to be aware of these differences:

  • Undergraduate Policies will apply to all undergraduate degree requirements
  • Graduate Policies will apply to graduate degree requirements

Policy: GPA requirements are different for graduate students

See Master's Degree Graduation Requirements.

Policy: Repeating courses to raise low grades differs for undergraduate and graduate students

See Repeating Courses to Raise Low Grades.

Contacts

As an Accelerated Scholar you will receive information to your RIT email address with important updates, news, and events related to your Combined Accelerated Program. We encourage you to check these messages regularly and participate in our programming. Please do not opt out of these communications as many are related to your status in the program and may include important steps related to your successful completion of your degrees.

Combined Accelerated Program Team (accelerated@rit.edu)

Karen Palmer headshot
Karen Palmer
Associate Director Combined Accelerated Programs
585-475-5656
kbpges@rit.edu
Lauren Cannon headshot
Lauren Cannon
Assistant Director, Combined Accelerated Programs
585-475-2576
ltcpgd@rit.edu

Contacts in Your Academic Department:

Academic Advisor

Every undergraduate student at RIT is assigned an academic advisor who is a great resource for questions about your undergraduate plan of study, student support resources, RIT policies, co-curricular opportunities, undergraduate research, study abroad, and more.

Find your academic advising office

Graduate Program Director

Most master’s degree programs have a graduate program director who is a great resource for questions regarding the masters’ degree portion of your accelerated degree program, capstone options, graduate degree requirements, and more.

View the list of graduate program contacts

Financial Aid Resources

Details about the change in financial aid for a specific program can be found on the Combined Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s Financial Aid website. 

Any financial aid-related questions should be directed to ritaid@rit.edu or a Financial Aid Counselor.

Academic Success Resources

The Academic Success Center offers many resources to all RIT students, including Academic Success courses, Peer Mentoring, Math and Physics tutoring, as well as on-demand time management and study skills tools on the Study Tool Kit.

Many departments offer resources specific to their discipline. Engage with your instructors as well as any Teaching Assistants or Supplemental Instruction sessions available for your courses, and take advantage of any department-specific tutoring that is available to you. Check with your academic advisor or program director to find out what is available.

RIT Graduate School

Make sure to connect with the Graduate School once you reach graduate status! Visit the RIT Graduate School website for information on upcoming events, ways to connect with the graduate community at RIT, and resources for graduate students. Subscribe to the RIT Graduate School Pulse Newsletter by following this path: RITmail > College Lists > Academic Affairs > Show Topics > Newsletter.