Accelerated Master’s (4+1)

Accelerated Master's Program

Several departments in the College of Liberal Arts offer exceptional students the opportunity to participate in the accelerated master's program, which allows them to graduate with both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in 5 years. The Graduate School labels this program: GradSHARK Launch PAAD (Program for Accelerated Advanced Degrees)

Accepted students can take courses for graduate-level credit starting their senior year, thus saving them time and money if they choose to continue their Master’s degree.

Currently, the departments that offer this program are:

• Center for the Study of Southern Culture 
• Department of Biology 
• Department of History
• Department of Philosophy & Religion
• Department of Political Science

Why a Master’s degree at the University of Mississippi?

A master’s degree makes you more competitive in the job market, helps you more easily gain promotions into management and leadership, and earn a higher salary. It dramatically reinforces the benefits of being a life-long learner with improved core skills of research, analysis, and communication, allowing you to more easily tackle complex projects in all areas of your life.

Earnings and Unemployment Rates by Educational Attainment, 2023

For many, earning a master’s degree is a decision about the return on investment for the time and money to earn a graduate degree. Students who continue on to a Master’s program at the University of Mississippi have the added benefit of familiarity with the faculty and departmental resources. With the accelerated program, we shave a year off tuition and time from the typical path towards the master’s degree….making it a great return on investment!

Application Process

Requirements:

• At least 90 undergraduate credit hours earned before enrollment in the Accelerated Master's  Program
• Minimum GPA (varies by department)
• Undergraduate major in the same field the student wishes to pursue at the graduate level

Interested students should meet with their Academic Advisor and the Graduate Program Coordinator in the Spring of their Junior year to discuss program eligibility. Once approved, they should fill out the department-specific enrollment form, including the courses they would like to enroll in for graduate credit the following semester. The department's Graduate Program Coordinator will notify the Graduate School. Students should notify the instructors of courses in which they wish to receive graduate-level credit at this time as well. A fresh enrollment form must be filled prior to each semester students wish to receive graduate credit.

Each department has different required courses, but the student should aim to complete their undergraduate course requirements by the end of their senior year, while taking 500-level courses for graduate credit simultaneously. In the Spring semester, they should apply to become a full-time Master’s student with their department.

For more information, please see the appropriate department’s webpage.