Accelerated BA and MA

If you're interested in fast-tracking your advanced education, the accelerated BA and MA program is for you.

You can earn both the BA in English and MA in English in a minimum of five years by completing approved graduate courses during your senior undergraduate year. You may count up to 12 hours of graduate courses toward both the BA and MA degrees. That means you can earn the two degrees with a minimum of 138 credits rather than the 150 credits necessary if your pursued the two degrees separately.

The accelerated MA in English program is designed for students who wish for continued study of and competency in the discipline and/or are considering a PhD in English.

Interested undergraduate students should consult with their adviser as early as possible to receive specific information about the accelerated program, determine academic eligibility and submit (no later than two semesters prior to graduating with a baccalaureate degree, that is, before the end of the spring semester of their junior year) an Accelerated Program Declaration Form to be approved by the graduate program director.   Minimum qualifications for entrance to this accelerated program include:

• completion of at least 60 and no more than 75 undergraduate credit hours including ENGL 301;
• a minimum of three courses at the 300 or 400 level (completion of a course in the 480s is strongly recommended) or permission of the chair; and
• an overall GPA of 3.0; and a GPA of 3.5 in English course work.

Students who are interested in the accelerated program should consult with either the director of undergraduate students or the adviser in English.

Limited spaces may be available in the accelerated program. Academically qualified students may not receive approval if capacity has been reached. 

Admission requirements, degree requirements, recommended course sequences and more information about the program can be found at VCU Bulletin.