The Accelerated Graduate Degree Program (AGDP) gives an opportunity to undergraduate students majoring in computer science to complete the requirements for the master's degree at an accelerated pace. These undergraduate students may count up to 12 (but not fewer than 6) credit hours of 5000-level courses taken during their undergraduate studies toward a master's degree in computer science within 24 months after the completion of their bachelor's degree in computer science. These students may choose to pursue a master's degree in computer science under either the thesis option or the non-thesis option.
This program will allow an undergraduate student majoring in computer science to complete an accelerated master's degree in computer science by completing 140 combined undergraduate/graduate credit hours.
Application for the Accelerated Graduate Degree Program
A prospective student who meets the eligibility requirements (see Criteria for Admission) must set up a meeting with the CS undergraduate advisor and the graduate advisor to develop a Plan of Work for the bachelor's program and master's degree programs.
Before admission to an AGDP can be finalized, students must submit the standard application for admission to the Office of Admissions/Graduate Admissions including:
- An application
- Application fee
- Copy of all transcripts
- A Plan of Graduate Work, signed by the prospective student, the undergraduate program director and the graduate program director.
The Plan of Graduate Work for the master's degree must clearly indicate:
- the 5000-level courses (a maximum of 12 graduate credit hours) that will be counted for both the bachelor's and master's degrees,
- the graduation date for the master's degree that meets the time limit for the AGDP (i.e. obtaining a master's degree in computer science within 24 months of completing the bachelor's degree). Any changes to the AGDP Plan of Graduate Work must be submitted in writing and approved by the graduate program director and the dean of the Graduate College.
Criteria for Admission to the Accelerated Graduate Degree Program
Admission to the AGDP is contingent on meeting the following eligibility requirements:
- Students must have completed a minimum of eighty (80) and a maximum of ninety-six (96) credit hours in their undergraduate programs, including credits earned from advanced placement.
- Transfer students must have completed, as a full-time undergraduate student at WMU, a minimum of 15 WMU computer science credit hours and a minimum of 30 WMU credit hours.
- Students must have a minimum accumulated grade point average (GPA) of 3.25 at WMU and 3.5 in computer science classes.
- International students must clarify their visa status with the Office of International Student and Scholar Services before submitting an admission application.
Admission to the AGDP does not guarantee admission to the Graduate College. However, successful completion of an undergraduate degree with a cumulative GPA of 3.00 will ensure admission to the Graduate College.
Requirements for Participation and Graduation
- Students must complete the bachelor's degree prior to entering the master's program. Students in the AGDP may not elect to by-pass the bachelor's degree.
- Students will be allowed to count only a maximum of twelve (12) 5000-level credits taken during their undergraduate studies toward their master's degree. These credits should be registered as graduate credit and will be waived from their master's degree.
- Students must receive a grade of B (3.00/4.00) or better in the 5000-level courses taken during their undergraduate studies. Courses with a grade of CB or below cannot be counted toward their master's degree.
- Students who do not meet the grade criterion of 3.00 will have the earned grade applied to their undergraduate program only, assuming that the earned grade meets the requirements of the undergraduate program. Students who do not meet the grade criterion as part of the AGDP program must apply for readmission into the graduate program.
- Students who complete the undergraduate degree, including a "B" or above in the specified 5000-level graduate courses, will be admitted as graduate students (with the relevant graduate credit) in the next semester or session after receiving the bachelor's degree.
- No more than twelve (12) hours of graduate work may be counted towards the requirements of the student's bachelor's degree.
- Students must complete the master's degree within 24 months from the completion of the bachelor's degree. If the master's program is not completed within these time limits, none of the 5000-level courses specified in the Plan of Graduate Work can be counted toward the master's degree. The graduate program director only in special circumstances may grant extension to this time-line.
Continuing Eligibility
- It is the responsibility of the student to recognize his/her eligibility status.
- A student completing the bachelor's degree requirements with an accumulated GPA of less than 3.25 is automatically terminated from the AGDP.
- A student who does not follow the approved Plan of Graduate Work may become ineligible to participate in the AGDP.
- A student who is ineligible to participate in (or withdraws from) the AGDP can no longer qualify for waiving any of the courses specified in the Plan of Graduate Work toward a master's degree. These courses, however, may be counted towards the student's bachelor's degree upon discretion of the undergraduate advisor.
- A student who becomes ineligible to participate in the AGDP shall be informed by the graduate advisor in writing of the ineligibility. A copy of this letter to the student shall be sent to the Graduate College.
Withdrawal
A student may at any time withdraw from an approved AGDP by informing the director of undergraduate programs and the graduate advisor in writing. A copy of this request to withdraw must be sent to the Graduate College for approval.