4+1 accelerated bachelor’s + master’s degree

About the accelerated master’s (4+1) degree

The School of Sustainability offers the following joint accelerated programs designed to enable highly qualified undergraduate majors to earn a Master of Sustainability Solutions degree in one additional year:

• Bachelor of Arts in Sustainability (BA) / Master of Sustainability Solutions (MSUS)
• Bachelor of Science in Sustainability (BS) / Master of Sustainability Solutions (MSUS)

Students accepted into this program share designated 500-level coursework with the bachelor’s degree, allowing the student to complete master’s degree in one additional year.

Eligibility

To be eligible for admission to this accelerated master’s (4+1) program, a student must:

• Have a 3.0 GPA in the last 60 credit hours of undergraduate coursework.
• Have accumulated at least 75 credit hours toward the undergraduate degree at the time of School of Sustainability application; 90 credit hours are required to begin graduate coursework.
• Have completed at least six credit hours of upper division coursework in the major.
• Be on track to graduate with the undergraduate degree two semesters after being accepted into the program.

Students who do not meet these criteria may still apply to the MSUS program through the standard process as they near completion of their undergraduate program.

Approval and Application process

The accelerated master’s application is a two-step process. Students must first be approved to begin the accelerated master’s (4+1). The approval process begins with the School of Sustainability approval application, due March 1st of their junior year (or equivalent). Approval is needed in order to begin taking graduate classes during their senior year (or equivalent).

Then, in fall of their senior year (or equivalent), students previously approved to begin the accelerated master’s (4+1) must apply for graduate admission to the MSUS program using the ASU Graduate Application. The ASU Graduate Application and all related materials are due by March 1st. Admission to the accelerated master’s (4+1) is required to begin graduate classes the following fall, after completion of the bachelor’s degree.

Admission requirements

The following instructions are for ASU students currently enrolled in the BA or BS degree programs in the School of Sustainability. These instructions apply only to the accelerated master’s (4+1) program, which grants a Master of Sustainability Solutions (MSUS) degree. Admission information for external applicants to the MSUS may be found here.

Step 1: School of Sustainability application (complete junior year)

The accelerated master’s (4+1) begins in fall semester only. All application materials must be received by March 1 of their junior year (or equivalent). Complete applications include transcripts and recommendations. We suggest that applicants submit the application no later than February 1, allowing their primary recommender a month to complete online recommendation by the March 1 deadline.

School of Sustainability requirements

The School of Sustainability application must be submitted by March 1, in the junior year (or equivalent) of the bachelor’s program. The application requires the following (items 2-6 must be uploaded in a single PDF file):

1. Recommendations and references. One primary recommendation from a School of Sustainability faculty member recommending the student for the MSUS 4+1 program is required. This primary recommender will be asked to address the applicant’s potential for success in a graduate program. Applicants will be responsible for sending the recommendation form and submission link to the faculty serving as their primary recommender. A link to the recommendation form and submission page will be sent to applicants only after the graduate advisor receives the signed Curriculum Plan.
   
   In addition to the primary recommendation, the name and contact information of two faculty references is required on the application. References should be from educators familiar with the applicant’s experience and capability for graduate work.
2. Statement of intent. In no more than 400 words, describe how completion of the MSUS degree will support your long-term career aspirations. Explain how your background will contribute to your success in the program, and identify the resources available in the School of Sustainability that will enable you to achieve your goals.
3. Sustainability issue statement. In no more than 400 words, identify a specific issue or problem in the field of sustainability, and explain why it is important to address this issue or solve this problem.
4. Curriculum plan. This is an Excel file outlining applicant’s plan of study. This document can be obtained from your undergraduate advisor or graduate advisor in the School of Sustainability. Undergraduate advisor and graduate advisor must sign a completed curriculum plan prior to submission.
5. Unofficial transcripts. Unofficial transcripts from all colleges and universities the applicant attended are required. The link to download an unofficial ASU transcript is on the My ASU page, under the My Classes box.
6. Resume or CV (required). Applicants must include their resume or curriculum vita along with items 2-5 above.

The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is not required from applicants to the 4+1 MSUS degree program.

Step 2: Graduate application (complete senior year)

Applications for this program are accepted for fall admission only. All application materials must be received by March 1st of senior year (or equivalent). Complete applications include transcripts and recommendations. We suggest that applicants submit the application no later than February 1, allowing their references a month to complete online recommendation letters by the March 1 deadline. References cannot submit letters until the application is submitted.

Graduate admissions requirements

All applicants must meet the basic requirements of Graduate Admissions.

1. Application. ASU uses a generic application for all graduate programs .
2. $70 application fee for domestic applicants and $90 application fee for international applicants. Applications submitted without the fee will not be processed or reviewed. In addition to the normal application fee, a $50 non-refundable late processing fee will be charged for all applications submitted on or after the dates posted for session C on the Graduate Admissions website .
3. Official copy of transcripts. Unofficial copies will not be accepted. Students should send transcripts from each university or college they have attended (ASU transcripts do not need to be sent). Official transcripts are normally sent from the issuing institutions in sealed envelopes, stamped and verified by the issuing institutions.
   
   If sending by U.S. mail send transcripts to:
   Arizona State University
   Graduate Admission Services
   PO Box 870112
   Tempe, AZ 85287-0112
   
   If sending by FedEx, DHL or UPS send to:
   Arizona State University
   Graduate Admission Services
   1151 S. Forest Ave, #SSV112
   Tempe, AZ 85287-0112
4. Undergraduate progress requirements (specific to accelerated master’s (4+1) programs) Have a 3.0 GPA in the last 60 credit hours of undergraduate coursework. Be on track to graduate with the undergraduate degree spring semester of senior year (or equivalent).

All application materials submitted to Graduate Education will be forwarded to the School of Sustainability.

Supplemental application materials required by the School of Sustainability

In addition to Graduate College requirements the School of Sustainability requires the following:

1. Recommendations. Three recommendations are required. Applicants will be asked to provide contact information for their recommenders through the online application and will be asked whether or not they would like to waive the right to view the recommendations submitted. Upon completion and submission of the application, the recommendation form and instructions will automatically be sent to the recommender and they will be asked to submit their recommendations online.
   
   Applicants to the 4+1 MSUS degree program: At least one letter of recommendation must be from a School of Sustainability faculty member recommending admission to the accelerated degree program. Additional references should be from educators (preferred) or professionals familiar with the applicant’s experience and capability for graduate work. It is highly recommended that the recommendations are academic in nature and address the applicant’s experience and potential for success in a graduate program; however, we will also accept professional recommendations. Applicants will be able to check the status of their recommendations online at My ASU.
2. Statement of intent. All applicants must upload a statement of intent when completing the online application. In no more than 400 words, applicants must explain the goals they intend to achieve through their program of study at the School of Sustainability. Applicants should describe how their background will contribute to their success in the program and how completion of their degree will support their long-term career goals. Applicants will also be asked to identify a key sustainability issue they wish to address or problem they wish to solve as part of their program of study and explain why it is essential to address that question or issue.
3. Resume or CV (required). Applicants must attach their resume or curriculum vita to their application.

The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is not required from applicants to the accelerated master’s (4+1) MSUS degree program.

Important information about the 4+1 program

• This program is designed to be completed in one year after the completion of the bachelor’s degree. Students must complete their undergraduate degree within one year after approval to begin this program.
• Some scholarships and awards may be affected by admission to the accelerated master’s (4+1) program, as this changes a student status from undergraduate to graduate. Students are advised to check with the specifications of their awards with the Financial Assistance Office to see if this will affect compensation packages.
• Students admitted into the accelerated master’s (4+1) program are not entitled to teaching assistantships through the School of Sustainability.

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