The Accelerated Bachelor's/Master's degree program in Communication offers highly-qualified UCCS undergraduate Communication majors the opportunity to pursue the Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Communication and Masters of Arts (MA) in Communication concurrently by allowing up to nine credit hours to be used for both the BA and MA.

Students admitted to the Accelerated degree program will maintain their undergraduate standing until their BA. The semester in which the student will complete their BA requirements (including 120 credit hours) they must formerly apply to the graduate program. A student is considered eligible to continue with their MA upon completion of the requirements for a Bachelor of Arts in Communication, and maintenance of a minimum cumulative overall GPA of 3.25 and Communication GPA of 3.50.

Any students not recommended for continuation in the Accelerated degree program are eligible to complete their Bachelor's degree. BA/MA students are not required to complete the MA program. BA/MA students are admitted, however, on the premise that they intend to complete both degrees.

The BA/MA program allows students to count nine semester credits toward both the Bachelor of Arts in Communication and Masters in Communication programs. In order for credit to be double-counted, the following conditions must be met:

1. Once admitted into the Accelerated BA/MA program, (while an undergraduate student), accelerated students must complete their graduate courses with a minimum grade of 3.25 in each course. They also must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.25 in all coursework and in coursework applied to their major.
2. Issues of satisfactory academic progress and transfer credit is the responsibility of the Graduate Program Director and the Undergraduate Program Director with participation by the Communication Chair and Graduate Dean as appropriate. The two Directors are responsible for dismissing or placing on probation those students who do not maintain the minimum requirements stated above.
3. Students who opt out or are dismissed from the Accelerated program prior to the semester in which they will graduate with their BA are eligible to complete their Bachelor's degree, subject to the normal rules of that program. They are eligible to apply in the traditional manner to the Communication Master's program and transfer credits (subject to normal limitations) that were not used toward the Bachelor of Arts.
4. AMP Students are advised not to enroll for more than six hours of graduate-level credit until all undergraduate requirements have been successfully completed. All AMP students are advised to take COMM 5010 (Introduction to Graduate Studies) during their first year in the program.

The BA/MA program allows students to count (9) semester credits toward both the Bachelor of Arts in Communication and Masters in Communication programs. In order for credit to be double-counted, the following conditions must be met:

Dual credit courses:

• Are approved by the Graduate Faculty in Communication
• Must be completed with a B+ or better
• Must be taken for graduate credit (5000 level)
• Must be offered by the UCCS Department of Communication

Students are assessed tuition and fees at the undergraduate rate until the Bachelor of Arts in Communication degree is conferred. Students are assessed tuition and fees at the graduate level upon formal acceptance to the Communication Master's program, which occurs after their completion of the nine graduate credits that count toward both the BA and MA.

Admission Resources:

• Accelerated Masters Program intent application

Contact Dr. Katie Sullivan at ksulliv8@uccs.edu for further questions