College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences

Accelerated Bachelor’s to Master’s Degree Pathway

The College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences (CAES) offers Accelerated Bachelor’s to Master’s (ABM) Degree Pathways that allow students to complete both the Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in approximately five years.  Normally it would take students six years to complete both degrees. This degree pathway is designed for highly qualified students, allowing them to count up to twelve (12) credit hours towards both their undergraduate and graduate degree requirements.

Pathways

  1. Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Education to Master of Science in Agricultural Education
  2. Bachelor of Animal Science to Master of Science – Agricultural and Environmental Systems (Concentration: Integrated Animal Health Systems)
  3. Bachelor of Science in Agricultural and Environmental Systems (Agribusiness and Food Industry Management) to Master of Science in Agricultural and Environmental Systems (Agribusiness and Food Industry Management)
  4. Bachelor of Science in Agricultural and Environmental Systems (Concentration: Sustainable Land and Food Systems) to Master of Science in Agricultural and Environmental Systems  (Concentration: Natural Resources and Environmental Systems)
For additional information on the programs, please contact your respective department chair

Student Eligibility Requirements

  1. Completion of 75 to 90 credit hours in the undergraduate program, including advanced placement credits.
  2. Transfer students must have completed at least two semesters as a full-time student at N.C. A&T, with a minimum of 24 credit hours in addition to the 75 to 90 hours.
  3. A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.25/4.0 at N.C. A&T at the time of ABM Pathway admission.

Application Process

Undergraduate students interested in the ABM Pathway and who meet the minimum eligibility requirements must complete the following steps in order to be admitted to the ABM Degree Pathway: 

  1. A prospective student who meets the eligibility requirements for the ABM Pathway must first set up a meeting with his/her undergraduate advisor and the graduate program coordinator in their respective CAES Academic Department to discuss their ABM Pathway intentions.
  2. If it is determined that the student would be an eligible candidate for the respective ABM Pathway the student would then be instructed to complete the ABM Pathway application for their respective major.
    Students who complete the minimum 75 credits hours in the Fall Semester must apply by March 1st of that respective academic year or by November 1st if the 75 credit hours are completed in the Spring semester of the previous academic year.
  3. Upon review of the prospective student’s application by the respective departmental graduate committee, a decision will be provided to the student. If accepted, the student would then be instructed to complete the standard application for admission to the Graduate College and work with the program’s Graduate Coordinator to develop a Plan of Study before final acceptance is given.
  4. The Plan of Study must indicate the following: (i) a maximum of 12 graduate credit hours that will also count towards the undergraduate degree, (ii) a maximum of six (6) additional graduate credit hours that may be taken as an undergraduate student that will not be counted towards the bachelor's degree, (iii) courses that will be taken after matriculating into the graduate program, and (iv) the graduation date for the master's degree that meets the time limit for the ABM program (i.e. obtaining a thesis or non-thesis master's degree in the same field within 18 months of completing the bachelor's degree).
  5. Any changes to the ABM Plan of Study must be submitted in writing and approved by the chairperson and graduate program coordinator and by the dean of the Graduate

Requirements for Participation and Graduation

  1. Students must complete the bachelor's degree prior to entering the master's Students in the ABM Pathway may not elect to by-pass the bachelor's degree.
  2. Students must receive a grade of B (3.00/4.00) or better in each of the double-counted graduate level (600 level)
  3. Students must complete the master's degree within 18 months from the completion of the bachelor's degree for a non-thesis master's

Continuing Eligibility

  1. It is the responsibility of the student to recognize his/her eligibility
  2. If a student completes the bachelor's degree requirements with an accumulated GPA of less than 25/4.0, he/she automatically loses the privilege of continuing in the ABM.
  3. Failure to complete the degree with project option in 12 months or thesis option in 18 months voids the application of the double counted class hours to the master’s

Withdrawal

A student may, at any time, withdraw from the ABM Pathway program by informing her/his undergraduate advisor and graduate program coordinator in writing. A copy of this request to withdraw must be sent to the Graduate College for approval. A student who either withdraws or loses eligibility to continue in the program will not be able to use any graduate courses towards the bachelor’s degree. However, a maximum of six credit hours of graduate courses may be used towards another master’s degree with the approval of the graduate program coordinator, department chair, and the dean of the Graduate College.

Interested Students

CAES students who are interested in the ABM Pathway should contact their respective academic advisor or department chairperson for more information.

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