Accelerated Master’s Degrees

Earn a master's degree in just two more semesters.

Get ahead in your career, deepen your expertise and maximize the value of your undergraduate education. Through our accelerated master's programs, eligible students can begin graduate coursework while completing their bachelor's degree and earn a master's degree in just two additional semesters of study.

How it works: Each Cronkite AMP program consists of 141 total credits—12 fewer credits than a 120-credit bachelor’s degree and 33-credit master’s degree separately.

TRADITIONAL PATHWAY

bachelor's degree (4 years)

+ master's degree (2 years)

= 6 years total

ACCELERATED PATHWAY

bachelor's degree (3 or 4 years,
including some graduate courses)

+ master's degree (1 year)

= 4 or 5 years total

By taking approved graduate courses during your undergraduate program, you can make progress toward your master's degree before completing your bachelor's degree. This allows you to earn both degrees faster than completing them separately.

Choose your Accelerated Master's Program

Find the AMP that aligns with your interests and career goals. Select an undergraduate program below to view available AMP programs:

Digital Strategy and Audience Engagement, MS

Investigative Journalism, MA

Journalism, MA

Media Research and Technology, MS

Science Communication, MA

Sports Journalism, MA

Sports Strategic Communication, MA

Why complete an Accelerated Master's Program?

Is an accelerated master's right for you?

Accelerated master's programs are ideal for motivated students who want to deepen their expertise and enter the workforce with a competitive advantage.

Students must have a minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.25 to be eligible for a Cronkite AMP.

How the Accelerated Master's Program works

Explore your options
Once you’ve started your bachelor’s degree, meet with your academic advisor and identify the accelerated master's program that fits your goals. Confirm your GPA meets the 3.25 eligibility requirement.
Declare an AMP
Complete an AMP Declaration of Intent. No master’s application, fees, Graduate Record Exam or additional materials necessary!
Begin graduate coursework
Complete approved graduate-level courses while finishing your bachelor's degree.
Complete your bachelor's degree
Graduate with your undergraduate degree. You will have already completed 12 credits toward your accelerated master’s degree.
Finish your master's degree
Complete the remaining 21 credits of graduate coursework and earn your master's degree.

Frequently asked questions

Each Cronkite AMP program consists of 141 total credits—12 fewer credits than a 120-credit bachelor’s degree and 33-credit master’s degree separately.

AMP students complete 120 credits to earn their bachelor’s degree, but share 12 of those credits with their master’s degree prior to entering the graduate program. Students complete the remaining 21 credits of their master’s degree in just two semesters.

No application necessary: If you meet the GPA requirement and wish to commit to completing graduate-level coursework as part of your undergraduate degree, you may consider an AMP.

Students in their first year at the Cronkite School should discuss the AMP with their advisor as soon as possible to ensure they’re on track to complete required courses on time, and graduate courses (shared between the bachelor’s and master’s degrees) in their last semester.

Transfer students and other students who are not in their first year may still be on track to complete AMP: Interested students should meet with the Cronkite School graduate recruiter to explore this opportunity: links.asu.edu/cronkiteamp.

The master’s degree requires 33 total credits of graduate-level coursework, 12 of which are shared with the undergraduate degree. At least six of these shared credits must be at the 500-level or above, and a maximum of six may be at the 400-level. The remaining 21 credits must be at least 500-level. Academic advisors help AMP students review eligible course options; there are many to choose from.

Students pay undergraduate tuition for the first 120 credits, which apply to their bachelor’s degrees.

Contact the ASU Financial Aid office to review your individual tuition and financial aid circumstances. AMP students may become eligible for graduate assistantships and other forms of graduate financial aid once they complete their bachelor’s degrees.

Students pay undergraduate tuition for the first 120 credits, which apply to their bachelor’s degrees.

Yes! To change from one AMP program to another, contact your academic advisor. To withdraw from an AMP completely, submit a Voluntary Graduate Withdrawal form.

Ready to accelerate your future?

An accelerated master's degree can help you gain advanced expertise, strengthen your résumé and enter the job market with a competitive advantage—all in less time than pursuing the degrees separately.

Request AMP info for new students

Request AMP info for current students

Accelerated Master’s Degrees

Earn a master's degree in just two more semesters.

Choose your Accelerated Master's Program

BA, Content Creation

BS, Digital Strategy and Audience Engagement

BA, Journalism

BA, Mass Communication and Media Studies

BA, Media Literacy

BA, Science Communication

BA, Sports Journalism

BA, Sports Strategic Communication

BA, Strategic Communication

Why complete an Accelerated Master's Program?

Is an accelerated master's right for you?

How the Accelerated Master's Program works

Frequently asked questions

How does the AMP work?

When should I apply?

Which graduate courses count toward both degrees?

How does an AMP affect tuition, financial aid and scholarships?

Can I change my mind after choosing an AMP?

Ready to accelerate your future?