Accelerated Bachelor's/Master's in Mechanical Engineering

 

All students must read and comply with the university's guidelines for the Accelerated Degree Programs located at the Registrar's web page

1. Introduction

 The Accelerated Bachelor's/Master's (ABM) Degree Program allows undergraduate students in the Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineering an opportunity to complete the requirements for both the Bachelor's and Master's degrees 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 Mechanical Engineering within 24 months after the completion of  their Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or Aeronautical Engineering. These students may choose to pursue a Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering under either the Thesis Option or the Non-Thesis Option.

This program will allow an undergraduate student majoring in Mechanical Engineering to complete an accelerated Bachelor's/Master's in Mechanical Engineering by completing either 147 combined graduate/undergraduate credit hours (if choosing the Thesis Option), or 153 combined graduate/undergraduate credit hours (if choosing the Non-Thesis Option). Similarly, an undergraduate student majoring in Aeronautical Engineering can complete an accelerated Bachelor's/Master's in Mechanical Engineering by completing either 146 combined graduate/undergraduate credit hours (if choosing the Thesis Option), or 152 combined graduate/undergraduate credit hours (if choosing the Non-Thesis Option).

 

2. Application to the ABM Program

2.1 A prospective student who meets the eligibility requirements (see Criteria for Admission) must set up a meeting with the MAE Undergraduate Adviser and the Graduate Adviser to develop Plans of Work for the Bachelor's and Master's degree programs.

2.2 The prospective student must be given a copy of these guidelines.

2.3 Before admission to an ABM program can be finalized, students must submit the standard application for admission to the Office of Admissions/Graduate Admissions including:

2.3.1 an application

2.3.2 application fee

2.3.3 a copy of all transcripts

2.3.4 Graduate Record Exam (GRE) scores

2.3.5 a Plan of Graduate Work, signed by the prospective student, the Undergraduate Adviser and the Graduate Adviser

2.4 The Plan of Graduate Work for the Master's degree must clearly indicate:

2.4.1 the 5000 level courses (a maximum of 12 graduate credit hours) that will be counted for both Bachelor's and Master's degrees,

2.4.2 the graduation date for the Master's degree that meets the time limit for the ABM program (i.e. obtaining a Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering within 24 months of completing the Bachelor's degree). Any changes to the ABM Plan of Graduate Work must be submitted in writing and approved by the Graduate Adviser and Graduate Dean.

 

3. Criteria for Admission to the ABM Program

 3.1 Permission to pursue an ABM degree program does not guarantee admission to the Graduate College. Admission is contingent on meeting the following eligibility requirements at the time of entering the graduate program:

3.1.1 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.

3.1.2 Transfer students must have completed a minimum of 30 credit hours as a full-time student at WMU.

3.1.3 Students must have a minimum accumulated grade point average (GPA) of 3.5 at WMU.

 

4. Requirements for Participation and Graduation

 4.1 Students must complete the Bachelor's degree prior to entering the Master's program. Students in the ABM may not elect to by-pass the Bachelor's degree.

4.2 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 will be waived toward their Master's degree.

4.3 Students must receive a grade of B (3.0) 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.

4.4 No more than twelve (12) hours of graduate work may be counted towards the requirements of the student's Bachelor's degree .

4.5 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 Section 2.4.1 can be counted toward the Master's degree. Extension to this timeline may be granted by the Graduate Adviser only in special circumstances.

 

5. Continuing Eligibility

5.1 It is the responsibility of the student to recognize his/her eligibility status.

5.2 A student completing the Bachelor's degree requirements with an accumulated GPA of less than 3.25 is automatically terminated from the ABM program.

5.3 A student who does not follow the approved Plan of Graduate Work may become ineligible to participate in the ABM program.

5.4 A student who is ineligible to participate in (or withdraws from) the ABM program can no longer qualify for waiving any of the courses specified in Section 2.4.1 toward a Master's degree. These courses, however, may be counted toward the student's Bachelor's degree upon the discretion of the Undergraduate Adviser.

5.5 A student who becomes ineligible to participate in the ABM degree program, shall be informed by the Graduate Adviser in writing of the ineligibility. A copy of this letter to the student shall be sent to the Graduate College.

 

6. Withdrawal

A student may at any time withdraw from an approved ABM program by informing the Director of Undergraduate programs and the Graduate Adviser in writing. A copy of this request to withdraw must be sent to the Graduate College for approval.