Accelerated Graduate Degree Program
The Medieval Institute at Western Michigan University offers an accelerated graduate degree program (AGDP) in medieval studies that allows seniors to accumulate credits towards the completion of a master's degree while still enrolled as an undergraduate. Students admitted to the Medieval Institute AGDP may take up to 12 credit hours of designated 5000- and 6000-level courses for graduate credit. The designated courses may be used to complete both the bachelor's degree and the master's degree.
Degree hours
A medieval studies minor requires a total of 24 credits. The Master of Arts in Medieval Studies requires a total of 31 credit hours. Students enrolling in the AGDP take 12 graduate credits in their senior year and 19 in the second year of their accelerated degree program.
Eligibility
This program is open to undergraduate students. You must have:
- Junior status.
- A cumulative undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 based on at least 56 earned hours.
- A declared medieval studies minor. If you have received your B.A. degree you will be ineligible to apply for this program and retroactively claim credits toward the M.A. degree.
Admission
- Early in your junior year, contact the director of the Medieval Institute to discuss this option and review the requirements, timelines and application procedures.
- Before completing your application, apply for graduation by completing your undergraduate audit with the College of Arts and Sciences advising staff, and returning the audit form to the Registrar's Office.
- Apply for admission to the medieval studies master's program and complete the necessary application materials; applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Graduate Record Examination scores (GRE) are not required at the time of an AGDP application. However, if an AGDP candidate wishes to be considered for funding in the second year of the M.A. (after completing their B.A.) GRE scores will be needed.
- Upon acceptance into the AGDP, meet with the director of the Medieval Institute and an undergraduate academic advisor to prepare a program of study that meets the requirements for both degrees.
- An AGDP Course Approval Form listing which graduate courses will be counted in both degrees will be sent to you and to the Office of the Registrar.
Criteria for admission
- Undergraduate minimum GPA of 3.5 in medieval studies minor courses (based on at least 12 credit hours).
- Three letters of recommendation from affiliated faculty of the Medieval Institute.
- A brief statement of career objectives and academic and professional interests.
Requirements for continuing eligibility and graduation
- You will pay undergraduate tuition for AGDP eligible 5000- and 6000-level courses; the courses will be included in the flat tuition rate. Upon completion of the undergraduate degree, you will be reclassified as a graduate student and begin paying graduate tuition.
- It is expected that the B.A. degree will be awarded within one calendar year after initial AGDP enrollment.
- Once you have earned the bachelor's degree and have been admitted as a graduate student, you will be eligible to apply for departmental financial aid.
- Follow the program of study developed with the graduate studies director and the undergraduate advisor.
- Complete the requirements for the M.A. degree within 24 months from the completion of the B.A. degree.
