Accelerated Masters
On-campus undergraduate students may enroll in master’s level courses as undergraduate students, earning credit towards both their undergraduate degree and master’s degree. Students have two options in taking master’s courses while an undergraduate student.
- 4+1 Programs (on-campus UG students only)
- Accelerated Master’s Programs
4+1 Programs are LBC-designed program combinations for on-campus undergraduate students only. See the list of 4+1 Programs below and links to the program pages in the catalog for additional information.
Communication (BA) + Strategic Communication Leadership (MA)
Early Childhood Education (BSEd) + Special Education (MEd)
Early Childhood Education (BSEd) + English as a Second Language (MEd)
Psychology (BS) + Clinical Mental Health Counseling (MA)
Psychology (BS) + Professional School Counseling (MEd)
Undergraduate students can enroll in the program at initial matriculation or change their major to the 4+1 program during their undergraduate enrollment. While taking graduate courses and before graduation from the undergraduate program, students will maintain undergraduate status. The graduate courses will appear on the undergraduate transcript, and the graduate course grade is calculated within the undergraduate GPA.
Upon completion of the undergraduate program requirements, students will graduate from their undergraduate program and be provided opportunity to participate in commencement and academic awards as an undergraduate student. Students will then enroll in the master’s program.
Students in 4+1 programs are assessed undergraduate tuition and fees for graduate courses, based on their student status of part-time or full-time during the fall and spring and summer terms. Students are eligible for undergraduate financial aid and scholarships. This eligibility ends when students earn an undergraduate degree. Upon completion of the undergraduate degree, students enrolled in the graduate program will be billed at the graduate rate. Students are not eligible for the continuation of undergraduate scholarships or the alumni scholarship.
Each 4+1 program has unique criteria for enrollment, retention, and graduation. This enrollment is handled in the academic department. Contact the program director for more information about the 4+1 program.
Accelerated Master’s Programs are designated master’s level program courses that undergraduate students can take to fulfill an undergraduate requirement and graduate requirement. By double dipping courses, students have the opportunity to accelerate the completion of a master’s degree because the course counts at two degree levels. LBC allows undergraduate students to take specific graduate courses in the following programs:
Biblical Studies (MA)
Christian Apologetics (MA)
Christian Care (MA)
Divinity (MDiv)
Ministry (MA)
Strategic Communication Leadership (MA)
Clinical Mental Health Counseling (MA)
Professional School Counseling (MEd)
Sport Management (MSS)
Students must meet the following criteria to participate in the accelerated master’s degree program courses.
- Undergraduate students must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 at the time of beginning master’s degree courses.
- Undergraduate students must have earned a minimum of 60 credits to take master’s courses.
- Undergraduate students must have courses in their UG curriculum to accommodate the graduate courses.
- Undergraduate students must receive approval from their academic advisor/coach and their dean in order to take master’s courses.
Undergraduate students apply to take graduate level courses; they are not applying to the graduate program. Undergraduate students need to complete the Accelerated Master’s Program application form prior to enrolling in the first graduate class. The form should not be completed each time an undergraduate student takes a graduate class.
While taking graduate credits, undergraduate students will maintain undergraduate status. The graduate courses will appear on the undergraduate transcript, and the graduate course grade is calculated within the undergraduate GPA.
Undergraduate students may take no more than 12 graduate credits in total within the accelerated master’s program. The Graduate Course Equivalency document outlines the graduate courses undergraduate students may take to count towards undergraduate credits.
Graduate courses must be applied to undergraduate courses in the student’s program or within the tuition credit block (12-18 credits) for traditional undergraduate students.
Within the 12 graduate credits applied to their program or tuition credit block (On-campus UG only), students are assessed undergraduate tuition and fees for graduate courses, based on their student status of part-time or full-time during the fall and spring and summer terms. Students are eligible for undergraduate financial aid and scholarships. This eligibility ends when the student earns an undergraduate degree. Undergraduate students desiring to take graduate courses outside of their required undergraduate courses or the tuition credit block will be billed at the graduate rate and no financial aid may be applied.
Once undergraduate students have completed their undergraduate program requirements they will graduate from their undergraduate program. Undergraduate students desiring to matriculate into an LBC master’s degree program must complete the LBC graduate application. Note that some master’s programs have residency requirements. Students must meet admissions criteria to be eligible for acceptance. Once matriculated into an LBC master’s degree program, the students will be billed at the graduate rate. Students who took graduate courses as undergraduate students will not be able to apply the Alumni Scholarship to the graduate program tuition. Students should check with the Financial Aid office about any other scholarship options.
Process: To apply to take graduate courses, students with their advisors should complete the following steps:
- Review student eligibility to participate by using the criteria.
- Review the Graduate Course Equivalency document to determine which graduate courses to take.
- The student should then apply through the Accelerated Master’s Program application form. Undergraduate students need to complete this form prior to enrolling in the first graduate class. The form should not be completed each time an undergraduate student takes a graduate class.
- Upon approval to participate, the advisor emails the Registrar’s Office to register the student for the graduate courses.