An accelerated master’s degree is a pathway ASU offers to online students where you can earn a graduate degree in as little as a year after earning your undergraduate degree. During your undergraduate senior year, you’ll be able to take up to 15 credits that can apply towards both programs.
You’ll then graduate from your undergraduate program and take the final courses for your graduate degree. Many accelerated master’s students complete their graduate degree with only one additional year of study.
This path allows you to save time and money, as you’ll be paying undergraduate tuition for any graduate courses you take your senior year and earning credits toward both programs during your senior year.
Only select undergraduate and graduate degree programs are paired to create an accelerated master’s degree. This accelerated master’s guide details which online undergraduate programs lead to accelerated master’s degrees.
What is a traditional master’s degree?
All of our graduate degree programs can be considered a “traditional” master’s degree since you can pursue them independently from an undergraduate program. You’ll need to complete the graduate application and meet admission requirements if you pursue a master’s degree through this traditional path.
You’ll also have the same standard estimated time towards completion — which is 18–24 months, depending on the length of your graduate degree.
How do they compare?
Take a look at how long it can take to get a master’s degree between both options, as well as details around potential costs, how your credits work and student experience.
Feature | Traditional master's degree | Accelerated master's degree |
|---|---|---|
Average completion time | A traditional master's degree can take anywhere from one to three years to complete. This depends on how many credits you take each semester. | Accelerated master's degrees are designed to be completed in one year after you finish your undergraduate degree. Many students may complete both their bachelor's and master's degrees within five years, but this depends on how many credits you take each semester. |
Tuition costs | You will pay graduate student tuition during your entire time as a student when you take the traditional pathway towards earning a master's degree. Use our tuition calculator to get an accurate cost estimate for your online graduate program. | During your senior year as an undergraduate student, you will be able to take up to 15 credit hours of graduate-level courses that can count towards both your undergraduate and graduate degree program requirements. Those courses you take during that window will cost the same as your undergraduate tuition. Once you complete your undergraduate degree and begin your final year as a graduate student, you will pay graduate student tuition. Use our tuition calculator to get a cost estimate. |
How credits work | You'll earn graduate credits during your entire time as a student. | Your credits during your senior year will apply towards both your undergraduate and graduate degree for up to 15 credits. Then, once you graduate from your undergraduate program, you'll begin taking graduate-level courses until you finish your accelerated master's program. |
Day-to-day experience | You will enroll as a graduate student, taking graduate-level courses your entire time. As an online student, you'll earn the same degree following the same curriculum as campus students. | Starting your senior year, you'll be officially enrolled in your graduate program, taking classes that meet program requirements for both your undergraduate and graduate degree. |
Applying to a program | You must meet your graduate program's admission requirements and apply through the graduate application. You can learn more about your desired program by filling out a form on your program's degree page. | Our accelerated master's guide explains each step in pursuing an accelerated master's degree. You'll need to meet the graduate program's admission requirements, but you won't need to fill out the graduate application. Talk with your advisor starting your sophomore year if you're interested in an accelerated master's program. |
Which master’s pathway is the right fit for you?
Deciding which path is the right fit depends on a few things.
The accelerated master’s is designed so students can earn credit towards both degree types simultaneously during the senior year of their undergraduate degree.
So, if you’re planning on pursuing an undergraduate degree and plan to continue your education with a graduate degree, then an accelerated master’s may be a good fit for you.
Additionally, you’ll want to verify that your selected undergraduate degree leads into an accelerated master’s program. Use our guide to find out which online programs are included. Don’t see your desired graduate degree as an accelerated master’s degree? You’ll have to pursue the degree separately by applying to the program as a graduate student.
Pursuing your graduate degree separate from your undergraduate studies is ideal for students who want to take a break between studies, or who want to gain more career experience or pursue other opportunities before continuing with school. You can always return to school to pursue your graduate degree at another date, especially if you want to improve existing or learn new skills.
Curious about your degree options? Explore all 400+ programs offered online at ASU. You can also submit the form at the bottom of this page to get in touch with an enrollment coach who can help answer all your questions.