Accelerated Learning Programs

UAB offers several options for high-achieving undergraduates to accelerate the time and cost necessary to complete both their undergraduate and graduate degrees. These include Accelerated Bachelors/Masters programs (ABM) and Fast-Track programs.

Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s Programs

Undergraduate students can take courses that count toward both bachelor’s and master’s degrees with one of our accelerated bachelor’s/master’s (ABM) programs. Once admitted, you can take up to 12 shared hours of approved 500/600-level graduate courses that help complete both degrees. This allows you to significantly shorten the time it takes to earn a master’s degree and distinguish yourself as a high-level critical thinker and problem solver.

Requirements

• You must have earned 60 or more undergraduate hours (36 of which must be completed at UAB) to start the ABM program. Students admitted to UAB as transfer students are eligible to apply to an ABM program after earning 60 or more undergraduate hours, at least 24 of which must be earned at UAB.* Some programs may have higher requirements or require specific grades in certain courses.
• You must have a UAB undergraduate GPA of 3.5 or higher. Some programs may require a higher minimum GPA for admission and/or may not permit the full 12 hours to be shared between programs.
• You must meet the above criteria as well as other minimum criteria for graduate admission before taking graduate-level courses. Upon admission to the UAB Graduate School, you’ll begin a program of study leading to your master’s degree as approved by your department and by the Graduate School.
• You must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher in all graduate and undergraduate coursework. Some programs may have higher requirements or require specific grades in certain courses.
• In addition to any graduate-level coursework you take in a given term as an ABM student, you must enroll in at least six undergraduate hours. ABM hours that are approved as shared credit count toward this minimum. Students enrolled in a summer term OR in the final semester of their undergraduate program who have less than six hours remaining are exempted from this requirement. Other exemptions must be approved by the Graduate School.

*All UAB undergraduate students must adhere to the residency requirement outlined in the undergraduate catalog.

Programs

Fast-Track Programs

Undergraduate students can apply for a master’s degree program before even finishing their bachelor’s. Our fast-track programs let students begin graduate coursework while you’re enrolled as an undergraduate—saving you money and enabling you to earn your master’s sooner. While hours aren’t shared between the two degrees as in the ABM program, some Fast Track master’s programs may allow you to waive course content you covered while completing your undergraduate degree.

Not all undergraduate financial aid can be applied to graduate coursework. Contact the UAB Office of Financial Aid to learn how enrollment in a fast-track program may affect your aid eligibility.

Requirements

• You must have earned 60 or more undergraduate hours (36 of which must be completed at UAB) to start the fast-track program. Students admitted to UAB as transfer students are eligible to apply to an fast-track program after earning 60 or more undergraduate hours, at least 24 of which must be earned at UAB.*
• You must have a UAB undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher. Some programs may require a higher minimum GPA for admission.
• Individual programs may require certain prerequisite courses, or they might be open only to specific undergraduate majors. Some programs also might require the completion of your bachelor’s degree before admission.
• In addition to any graduate coursework you take in a given term as an undergraduate enrolled in a fast-track program, you must also be enrolled in at least six undergraduate hours. If you have fewer than six hours remaining to complete your undergraduate degree, then you are exempt from this requirement. Students enrolled in a summer term OR in the final semester of their undergraduate program who have less than six hours remaining are exempted from this requirement. Other exemptions must be approved by the Graduate School.

*All UAB undergraduate students must adhere to the residency requirement outlined in the undergraduate catalog.

Programs