Accelerated Master’s Degrees

By beginning graduate coursework while they are still completing an undergraduate degree, students can complete a master’s degree in two semesters rather than the typical three. This saves the cost of one semester and the stress of applying for graduate programs after leaving the Cronkite School. 

Accelerated master’s students come to the program with a range of goals, including:

• Building or deepening skills in a particular area
• Expanding professional portfolios to accelerate their career trajectory
• Launching a product, business or project with the support and mentorship of Cronkite faculty
• Taking courses they just couldn’t fit into their undergraduate experience
• Setting themselves apart from other candidates in the job market
• Preparing for a teaching role

• The program consists of 144 credits, and students complete their 120-credit bachelor’s degree prior to entering the graduate program. Only admitted Journalism and Mass Communication or Sports Journalism major students may be accepted into the Cronkite School Accelerated Master’s Program.
• The Master’s degree requires a total of 36 credit hours of graduate-level coursework, 12 of which are shared with the B.A. degree. At least six of these shared credits must be at the 500-level or above, and a maximum of six can be at the 400-level. The remaining 24 credits must be at least 500-level.
• Students pay undergraduate tuition for the first 120 credits, which apply to their bachelor’s degrees. Students become eligible for assistantships and other forms of graduate financial aid once they complete their bachelor’s degrees, begin the master’s phase of the program and are assessed graduate tuition. Undergraduate scholarships should continue to apply to tuition through 8 semesters even if the student is able to complete the BA and start the one year graduate program in less than 8 semesters. Students should consult with the office of financial aid to discuss their unique situation.
• Students may submit a Declaration of Intent as soon as they decide to pursue this program. Students must apply to the Graduate College during the semester they begin taking courses that are to be shared between the bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Student accepted for admission to the accelerated program must submit a formal online application to the Graduate College but are not required to take the Graduate Record Exam or submit additional application materials.

First-year students
Students should begin to discuss the accelerated program with their adviser in their first year at the Cronkite School to ensure they are on track to complete required courses on time. Students apply to the Graduate College at the beginning of their last undergraduate year, when they begin taking courses that are to be shared between the bachelor’s and master’s degrees.

Non first-year students
Students can still be on track to complete the accelerated program. It is highly encouraged to meet with their advisor as soon as possible to ensure they are on track to complete required courses on time. Students will still apply to the Graduate College.

Let your adviser know you are interested in the program or reach out to Advising Coordinator Brad Longwell ([email protected]). The advising team can talk through specific requirements of each degree program, the expedited graduate admissions process and other considerations. You will complete a Declaration of Intent to enter the accelerated master’s program, and you will begin meeting with your adviser each semester to make sure you are on track to complete the requirements on time.