Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s Program

Qualified Pitt undergraduates apply in their third year of study. In the fourth year, students complete any remaining undergraduate requirements while enrolling in graduate classes. Accelerated students are restricted in their fourth year to 15 credits/term of undergraduate and graduate credits combined (but may apply for special permission to exceed this cap). Up to 20 graduate credits can apply to the master’s degree. In the fifth year, participants must register full-time as graduate students in both the fall and spring terms. Students earn their bachelor’s degree at the end of their fourth year and master’s degree at the end of their fifth year. 

Students in the accelerated bachelor’s/master’s program fully participate in the graduate school experience and prepare for their future careers by:

• Developing new skills with advanced coursework
• Gaining real-world experience through a required practicum or internship, and
• Working with experienced researchers on basic and applied research problems

Graduate school is challenging, but the accelerated program allows motivated students to obtain their graduate degree and discover their career path—all while saving up to one year’s worth of tuition!

Note: at the time of this posting, the Accelerated program is open to participating majors in the School of Public Health; Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences; College of General Studies; School of Computing and Information; and School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences. Students must speak with their undergraduate program to confirm participation.

Preparing your Application

Students interested in the accelerated bachelor’s/master’s program should contact us early (freshman or sophomore year) at PHaccelerated@pitt.edu. They apply online through SOPHAS Express (details below) to the specific department and program in the middle of their junior year. Application requirements include: 

• completing background courses in behavioral and social sciences (with a C or better)
• having appropriate mathematical coursework to take Principles of Statistical Reasoning or Introduction to Statistical Methods (usually college-level statistics, algebra, or calculus with a C or better)
• completing additional program-specific requirements
• being on track to complete at least 96 credits before starting as a graduate student
• meeting with the Public Health Office of Student Affairs and the individual graduate programs of interest before applying
• discussing interest in the accelerated program with undergraduate major department to confirm eligibility
• submitting a completed graduate application online via SOPHAS Express by January 15 of their junior year

How to Apply

Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s Applicants complete an abbreviated application through SOPHAS Express.

1. Apply online through SOPHAS Express
2. Pay $65 application fee per designation to SOPHAS Express
3. Submit a personal statement and resume through SOPHAS Express
4. Submit three recommendations through SOPHAS Express
5. Upload unofficial transcripts for ALL post-secondary education directly to your SOPHAS Express application