In today’s day and age, there are many benefits to higher education. Given that everyone here studies at Stevens, the benefits of higher education are thoroughly recognized. The unique thing about Stevens, however, is how easy it is to obtain both a Bachelor’s degree and a Master’s degree. Through the Accelerated Master’s Program (AMP), current undergraduate students have the option to get both degrees within a span of five years. There are many benefits to this and an increasing number of students are choosing to participate in the AMP every year.
One of the biggest positives of AMP is that it allows you to get both an undergraduate and graduate degree over the course of five years. This is very appealing as a traditional Master’s program takes two years but through AMP, it only takes an additional year. This is because students are able to double-count certain courses for both their undergraduate and graduate degrees. Additionally, the benefit of the double-count also applies in terms of financial aid. Students participating in AMP are reclassified from an undergraduate student to a graduate student once they are within six credits of completing their undergraduate degree and enrolled in at least one graduate level course. For this reason, students can take graduate courses that double-count as an undergrad and continue to receive federal financial aid. After their status changes to a graduate student, they would have to work with the Office of Financial Aid to review their options for funding their graduate studies. An additional plus to doing the AMP is that there are dual degree options. For example, you could do AMP and obtain both a Master’s of Engineering and a Master’s of Business Administration or a Master’s in Science and a Master’s in Business Administration. Again, AMP allows you to do multiple degrees in a short amount of time.
The process to apply to AMP is also more streamlined compared to applying to most Master’s degree programs. As an undergraduate student, you should apply during your sixth or seventh semester but you have the flexibility to apply up till your final undergraduate semester. A 3.0 GPA or higher is required to be eligible to apply. For the application process you will need an approved undergraduate study plan, one faculty recommendation, and a list of courses that you intend to double-count towards both degrees. For courses you want to double-count, you must receive a grade of B or higher. Before applying to any graduate level program, it is highly recommended that attend an AMP specific information session and set up an individual advising appointment by emailing AMP@stevens.edu. Applications to AMP are reviewed on a rolling basis and students can expect to receive their decisions by the Office of Graduate Education after four weeks of submitting an application. If students have any questions regarding the AMP application process or other questions in general about pursuing a graduate education as an undergraduate student, they are encouraged to email undergradtograd@stevens.edu for more information.
