Accelerated B.A./Master's Degree Program: FAQs
What is the Accelerated B.A./Master's Degree Program?
This program allows you to take advantage of integrating undergraduate and graduate level study. Students participating in the program begin taking graduate level courses during their senior year. Students then continue completing degree requirements in a fifth year of study. Students meeting strict eligibility requirements are eligible for a full-tuition scholarship during their fifth year.
What programs are available?
Biology
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (BCMB)*new for 2010-2011 academic year
Chemistry
Professional Communications (MSPC)
Community Development and Planning
Education
Environmental Science and Policy
History
Geographic Information Science (GIS)
International Development
Management (MBA)
Finance (MSF)
Physics
Public Administration (MPA)
When do I get started if I am interested?
First year: Discuss this with your undergraduate faculty advisor and read through the website.
Sophomore Year: Contact the advisor for the Accelerated B.A./Master's Degree Program in which you are interested.
Junior Year: Complete the Application to the Accelerated B.A./Master's Degree Program: Part 1 and return it to the ACADEMIC ADVISING CENTER by April 1 of your junior year (November 1 if you are out of sequence and the second semester of your junior year is in the fall semester). If you plan to study away from Clark in this year do this before leaving campus. This form must be signed by the graduate advisor of the program you are interested in. The form is necessary in order to remain eligible for the tuition scholarship.
Senior Year: Complete the formal application process to the graduate program by completing and submitting the Application to the Accelerated B.A./Master's Degree Program: Part 2. (Note that the MB.A. and MSF programs have a deadline earlier than senior year.)
Do I need to major in that specific field as an undergraduate?
This varies by program. Some programs do not require that you major in that specific field as an undergrad. Some programs suggest that you do NOT major in that field as an undergraduate. Students should check early on with a program advisor in the program to which they plan to apply. Also note, not all majors on campus offer an Accelerated B.A./Master's Degree.
How do I apply?
Junior Year: Complete the Application to the Accelerated B.A./Master's Degree Program: Part 1 and return it to the ACADEMIC ADVISING CENTER by April 1 (or November 1 if the second semester of your junior year is in the fall semester).
Senior Year: You must complete the Application to the Accelerated B.A./Master's Degree Program: Part 2 for the program you indicated on the Application to the Accelerated B.A./Master's Degree Program: Part 1 and provide letters of recommendation and transcripts. Some programs have additional requirements. The deadline for most programs is October 15, BUT for the Graduate School of Management (MB.A. and MSF) the deadline is April 15 of your Junior Year.
What are the eligibility requirements?
Incoming First-Year Students
To qualify for a full (100%) tuition scholarship, Clark students must:
- have been a full-time undergraduate student for four years (eight semesters) at Clark;
- meet the entry requirements of the graduate program you are interested in;
- achieve a 3.25* GPA for the second and third years of study in aggregate;
- apply to the program by April 1st of your junior year;
- achieve a 3.25* GPA for the fourth year of study;
- formally apply by the program deadline and be accepted by the graduate program indicated on the Application to the Accelerated B.A./Master's Degree Program: Part 1 submitted by April 1 of the junior year (or November 1, 2005 if the second semester of the junior year is in the fall semester);
- complete the B.A. degree within five years of initial entry to Clark University.
*Members of the Class of 2015 who enter Clark as first-year students in the fall of 2011 will be required to maintain a GPA of 3.40 in the second and third years of study in aggregate and in the fourth year of study to be eligible for the fifth-year free program.
Incoming Transfer Students
Incoming undergraduate transfer students to Clark will be eligible for a 50 percent tuition scholarship during their fifth year under the following conditions:
- be a full-time student for at least one full academic year prior to admission at the end of the junior year;
- obtain a GPA of at least 3.25* for whatever portion of the sophomore and junior year coursework taken at Clark in aggregate;
- maintain a GPA of at least 3.25* during the senior year
- formally apply by the program deadline and be accepted by the graduate program indicated on the Application to the Accelerated B.A./Master's Degree Program: Part 1 submitted by April 1 of the junior year (or November 1, 2005 if the second semester of the junior year is in the fall semester);
- meet the entry requirements of the graduate program you are interested in.
*Students who transfer to Clark in the fall 2011 semester must maintain a GPA of 3.40 to be eligible for a partial tuition scholarship (See Policies for details).
If I don't retain eligibility for the tuition scholarship can I still pursue an accelerated degree?
- Students who fail to meet the eligibility requirements for the fifth year tuition scholarship may apply to some graduate programs on a tuition-paying basis.
- Acceptance of such students into the graduate program is made on the recommendation of the graduate department involved.
- Check with the program of interest early on to see if they allow applications on a tuition-paying basis.
How many students actually go on to pursue the master's degree in the Accelerated B.A./Master's Degree Program?
Below is a chart of students by program - beginning master's programs (retained eligibility for 100%, 75% or 50% tuition remission). From the graduating class of 515 in May 2010 there are 144 total in the Accelerated B.A./Master's Degree Program:
| Program | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biochemistry & Molecular Biology (New Program for 2010-11) |
4 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Biology | 11 | 13 | 3 | 6 | 1 | 7 |
| Business Administration (MBA) | 22 | 16 | 14 | 15 | 17 | 18 |
| Chemistry | 2 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Community Development & Planning | 10 | 14 | 13 | 2 | 8 | 5 |
| Communication (MSPC) | 15 | 15 | 8 | 18 | 8 | 10 |
| Education/Teaching | 35 | 34 | 22 | 21 | 27 | 28 |
| Environmental Science & Policy | 7 | 5 | 3 | 5 | 2 | 3 |
| Finance (MSF) | 2 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 2 |
| Geography (GIS) | 5 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 2 |
| History | 6 | 7 | 3 | 6 | 7 | 2 |
| International Development | 3 | 7 | 7 | 3 | 4 | 2 |
| Physics | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Public Administration | 22 | 16 | 18 | 11 | 15 | 13 |
| Total | 144 | 136 | 96 | 97 | 95 | 92 |