Accelerated Master's Degree Programs

Fast-track your master’s degree.

NIU's accelerated bachelor's/master's programs compress the path to advanced credentials while keeping costs down. You'll begin graduate-level coursework your senior year at undergraduate tuition rates, potentially earning your master's within a year of finishing your bachelor's. The result: advanced credentials, specialized expertise and significant financial savings compared to pursuing separate degrees.

Is Your Major Eligible?

We offer accelerated bachelor’s/master’s degree programs in the following areas. See if your major is among our accelerated options below.

NIU also offers accelerated bachelor's/J.D. programs across nearly a dozen majors, letting you earn both degrees in six years by beginning law school your senior year.

Ready to Accelerate?

In most accelerated programs, you apply for graduate admission during your junior year and begin taking graduate-level courses as a senior. You'll pay undergraduate tuition rates for these courses, building credit hours toward both your bachelor's and master's degrees.

Here’s your next steps:

1. Meet with your undergraduate academic advisor to discuss the accelerated program pathway and requirements
2. Complete your college’s change of major form to transition into the accelerated degree track
3. Apply for graduate admission by your program's deadline.

Questions? Your undergraduate academic advisor can guide you through each step of the process.

Testimonials

My master’s program is fully online, and being active and timely with my classes has allowed me to meet deadlines and create the best quality work. As for my undergrad, attending classes allowed me to stay on top of course content and participate in the engaging activities scheduled during class time.

Finding a niche and diving into the subject is what makes research interesting. If you find yourself dreading research, it is okay to explore different routes, change your proposal or take time away from the project. If you're an undergrad and would like to gain experience, you can join Research Rookies and present at the Conference on Undergraduate Research and Engagement (CURE).

Don't be afraid to make the leap into doing a research project. It is a daunting task when looking at it as a whole, but setting realistic milestones for yourself can help you achieve amazing things!

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