Progression from Undergraduate to Graduate Status
Accelerated Degree students complete all requirements for the undergraduate degree during the first four years. You can begin taking graduate-level courses in your third or fourth year, some of which meet both the undergraduate and graduate requirements of the specific degree program. During the first four years you are considered an undergraduate student, you pay undergraduate tuition and fees, and you register according to your undergraduate level.
Your undergraduate degree must be conferred before you are advanced to graduate student status. During your fourth (undergraduate senior) year, you must apply for conferral of the undergraduate degree. The Application for Undergraduate Degree form is available from the Registrar's Office or at (http://registrar.binghamton.edu). The Registrar's Office will certify the conferral of your undergraduate degree and list you in the commencement program. You are invited to participate in commencement along with other recipients of the bachelor's degree.
During your fifth year, you are advanced to graduate student status and you will pay graduate tuition and fees. Accelerated Degree graduate students must maintain full-time registration for two semesters, fulfill the university residency requirement of 24 credits, and follow the course sequence outlined by the specific program. You cannot take undergraduate courses during this fifth year.
Registration
The department in which you are getting your Accelerated Degree will help you get the necessary approvals to register for graduate courses while you are still in your undergraduate years.
Transcripts
Two transcripts, one undergraduate and one graduate, will show your completed coursework. Your undergraduate transcripts will contain all courses taken as an undergraduate, including any graduate courses taken during the first four years. Your graduate transcripts will contain all courses taken as a graduate student during the fifth year. All courses shown on the undergraduate transcript (including your graduate courses) will be used to calculate your undergraduate GPA. Your graduate GPA will be calculated using only the graduate courses taken during your fifth year.
Unless you make a specific request for an undergraduate or graduate transcript, both sets will be issued together.
Leaving the Accelerated Degree Program
If you are not admitted to the graduate program, or you change your mind about pursuing the graduate degree, you may change your major back to a regular undergraduate program at any time. You must notify the administering department in writing of this decision. Your letter should include the specific undergraduate major that you will pursue.
When a student leaves an Accelerated Degree program, no additional tuition is charged for the graduate classes taken during the undergraduate years.
