Get a Master’s Degree in One year!
As most graduate work involves independent research, the program is ideally suited for those wishing to continue for a graduate degree in SEOE (MS of PhD in Geological Sciences, MS or PhD in Marine Science, Master’s in Earth and Environmental Resource Management) and are already involved in research, or planning to do so during their senior year. For those interested in the MEERM internship option there is no research requirement.
Through this program:
- You will take graduate-level courses during your fourth year of undergrad.
- You can count up to 12 credit hours of graduate coursework toward both your undergraduate and graduate degree at USC.
- Fall semester senior year, apply for Admission to the graduate program.
- You will earn your B.S. in 4 years, and then you can finish a M.S. degree in as little as 1 additional year (1.5 years for MEERM), assuming admission and successful progress through the MS requirements.
If interested, you should discuss the option with your undergraduate advisor.
Nest Steps:
These credits will count towards both your bachelor’s degree and your graduate degree. Work with your undergraduate advisor to select the graduate courses you wish to take, keeping in mind the requirements of the graduate program you intend to apply to.
In your senior year, you will apply for admission to the graduate school at USC.
Coursework completed through the Accelerated Bachelor's/Graduate Study Plan DOES NOT guarentee admission to the Graduate School for a graduate degree.
You will participate in the SEOE graduate program along with other graduate students and fulfill the graduate degree program requirements for your degree. You can read more about the different graduate degrees and their requirements here.
Financial Support
While there is no guaranteed support for students in this program, you will be eligible for teaching assistant and research assistant support on a term-by-term basis if such support is available. You should discuss these possibilities with your prospective professor/mentor and with the Graduate Director.
In the absence of financial support, the Accelerated Bachelor's/Graduate Studies program
should be viewed as an opportunity for you to gain quality research experience at
the graduate level and earn a M.S. degree. A successful graduate research experience
greatly enhances your prospects for admission into other competitive graduate program,
strengthens your prospects for profession graduate degrees, or preparing your for
the workforce. The program also serves as a valuable transition time, allowing you
to refocus your interests and goals to your post graduate life.
How is this different than Senior Privilege?
Senior Privilege permits undergraduate senior in their final semester (who need less than a normal course load to complete their undergraduate degree requirements) to take up to six hours of graduate credits. Senior privilege classes are applied to the undergraduate transcript but do not carry graduate credit. Students cannot participate in both Senior Privilege and the Accelerated Bachelor’s/Graduate Study plan. For more information on Senior Privilege, see the Senior Privilege (GS-19) form in the Graduate School’s Forms Library.