Accelerated Programs

***PENDING CORRECTIONS 6/4/2025***

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Accelerated Program to Graduate Programs
Advanced Track Graduate Programs

An accelerated graduate program for the purposes of this guideline, is a graduate program at a Regental institution that allows a student to count courses for undergraduate and graduate credit simultaneously.

SD Board of Regents Policy 2.4.2 - Level and Numbering of and Enrollment in Courses governs the transfer of courses between the undergraduate and graduate program.

Undergraduate students who have successfully completed ninety (90) credit hours may register for up to twelve (12) graduate credit hours at the 500 or 600 level with the approval of the Graduate Dean serving as designee for the Vice President for Academic Affairs. Such permission does not constitute admission to the USD Graduate School or graduate program as a degree-seeking student.

Moreover, undergraduate students who qualify for and are admitted to a graduate program through a South Dakota Board of Regents approved, fast-track or accelerated graduate program may register for graduate-level (500, 600, and 700) courses and these credit hours may apply to both undergraduate and graduate degree requirements.

SD Board of Regents Policy 2.2.2.1 - Transfer of Credit requires the Board of Regents to approve accelerated programs involving the transfer of thirteen (13) or more credits up to a total of twenty-five (25) total transfer credit hours at the accepting institution. In other words, an institution may create an accelerated program of one (1) to twelve (12) hours without Board approval.

An advanced track graduate program for the purposes of this guideline, is a graduate program that if a student has the corresponding conferred undergraduate degree can start further along into the program. Conversely, students without the corresponding conferred undergraduate degree will start in a standard track and will be required to take pre-requisite or foundational courses as they did not meet those competencies with an undergraduate program.

Advantages of Accelerated Graduate Programs:

Save money and reduce expenses towards tuition and fees by counting graduate courses for both graduate and undergraduate degrees*
Increase early opportunities to obtain work experiences and be competitive and marketable
Strengthen ties with faculty from undergraduate courses
Increase life-long earning potential
Have opportunities to gain advanced knowledge and skills by taking graduate-level classes early
Save time by completing a bachelor’s and master’s, up to a year early in comparison to pursuing these degrees separately
Save time for admittance to doctoral or professional degrees for which a prior master’s degree is required
Students admitted to accelerated graduate programs are eligible to apply for graduate assistantships
Save money and time by avoiding requirements of standardized tests (GRE, GMAT, etc.)**
* Applicable to all but two [MBA and MPA (Professional Accountancy)] fast-track programs
** Applicable to select accelerated/fast track programs

Advantages of Advanced Track Graduate Programs:

Save money and reduce expenses towards tuition and fees by not having to take additional pre-requisite and foundation courses
Increase early opportunities to obtain work experiences and be competitive and marketable
Increase life-long earning potential
Save time by starting a graduate program at an advanced level, requiring fewer courses to complete the degree

Accelerated Program to Graduate Programs:

♦ Programs do not double count courses for undergraduate and graduate degrees however there are additional benefits for the student and/or accelerated benefits at the graduate program level.

Graduate Program	Undergraduate Program	Credit hours that apply to both the Undergraduate and Graduate Degrees
Accounting, M.Acc.	Accounting (B.B.A.)	♦ 0 credit hours double count. This allows students to begin taking master’s level courses before completing the undergraduate degree. After the undergraduate program is completed, 30 hours of graduate work is expected towards the M.P.A. [The minimum number of credits to achieve both degrees is 150 credit hours. In addition, the program enables students to meet the 150-hour educational requirement to sit for the CPA exam in most states, although requirements vary by state.]
Artificial Intelligence, M.S.	Computer Science, B.S. only	12 credit hours
Biology, M.S. see avaiable options: Biology, M.S. non-thesis only-no specialization Biology, M.S. non-thesis only with Conservation and Biodiversity specialization Biology, M.S. non-thesis only with Neuroscience specialization	Biology Undergraduate Programs: Biology (B.S.) with Human Dynamics specialization only Conservation Biology (B.S.) Medical Biology (B.S.) Physiology, Cell, & Molecular Biology (B.S.)	12 credit hours
Biomedical Engineering, M.S.***	~~Biomedical Engineering (B.S.)~~ Correction: Available with any undergraduate bachelor’s program	12 credit hours
Business Administration, M.B.A. Programs: Business Administration, M.B.A. - no specialization Business Administration, M.B.A. - Business Analytics specialization Business Administration, M.B.A. - Business Leadership specialization Business Administration, M.B.A. - Finance specialization Business Administration, M.B.A. - Health Services Administration specialization Business Administration, M.B.A. - Marketing specialization Business Administration, M.B.A. - Operations and Supply Chain Management specialization Business Administration, M.B.A. - Sustainability specialization	B.B.A. Programs: Accounting (B.B.A.) Agribusiness Leadership (B.B.A.) Business Administration (B.B.A.) Business Analytics (B.B.A.) Economics (B.B.A.) Finance (B.B.A.) Health Services Administration (B.B.A.) Human Resource Management (B.B.A.) Innovation and Entrepreneurship (B.B.A.) Marketing (B.B.A.) Management (B.B.A.) Supply Chain Management (B.B.A.)	12 graduate credit hours double count towards the undergraduate degree (starting Fall 2025)
Business Administration, M.B.A. Programs: Business Administration, M.B.A. - no specialization Business Administration, M.B.A. - Business Analytics specialization Business Administration, M.B.A. - Business Leadership specialization Business Administration, M.B.A. - Finance specialization Business Administration, M.B.A. - Health Services Administration specialization Business Administration, M.B.A. - Marketing specialization Business Administration, M.B.A. - Operations and Supply Chain Management specialization Business Administration, M.B.A. - Sustainability specialization	Business Administration, M.B.A. programs are available with any undergraduate bachelor’s program	12 graduate credit hours double count towards the undergraduate degree (starting Fall 2025)
Chemistry, M.S.	Chemistry Programs: Chemistry: American Chemical Society approved (B.S.) Chemistry (B.S.)	12 credit hours
Communication, M.A.	BA/BS Communication Studies BA/BS Sport Marketing & Media BA/BS Media & Journalism with Journalism and Strategic Communications specializations	12 credit hours
Computer Science, M.S. (non-specialization or Informatics or Artificial Intelligence specializations)	Computer Science (B.A., B.S.)	12 credit hours
Elementary Education, M.A. with Reading Specialist/Literacy Coach specialization	Elementary Education Programs: Elementary Education & Kindergarten Education (B.S.Ed.) Elementary Education & Early Childhood (B.S.Ed.) Elementary Education (B.S.Ed.) Elementary & Special Education (B.S.Ed.)	12 credit hours
Elementary Education, M.A. with STEM Education Specialization	Approved USD B.S.Ed., B.A., or B.S. programs: Elementary Education, B.S.Ed. Secondary Educationn, B.S.Ed. Special Educationn, B.S.Ed. Special Education Double Major Plus Secondary Educationn, B.S.Ed. Elementary Education and Special Educationn, B.S.Ed. Elementary Education and Early Childhoodn, B.S.Ed. Elementary Education and Kindergarten Educationn, B.S.Ed. Biology with Secondary Education Certification, B.S. Chemistry with Secondary Education Certification, B.S. Communication Studies with Secondary Education Certification, B.A./B.S. English with Secondary Education Certification, B.A./B.S. German with Secondary Education Certification, B.A. History with Secondary Education Certification, B.A./B.S. Mathematics with Secondary Education Certification, B.S. Physics with Secondary Education Certification, B.S. Political Science with Secondary Education Certification, B.A./B.S. Spanish with Secondary Education Certification, B.A.	12 credit hours
English, M.A. non-thesis only with Literary Studies: Critical specialization [4+1 program] ***	English (B.A., B.S.)	12 credit hours
Health Science, M.S. with Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) specialization	Health Science, B.S. (no specialization)	9 credit hours
History, M.A.	History (B.A., B.S.)	12 credit hours
Law, J.D. [3+3 program, 3 plus 3 program admisssions requirements]	Law, J.D. 3+3 program is available with any undergraduate bachelor’s program	30 credit hours
Mathematical Sciences, M.A. or Mathematical Sciences, M.S.	Mathematics (B.S.)	12 credit hours
Occupational Therapy, O.T.D.	Health Sciences (B.S.) with Clinical Studies specialization Kinesiology and Sport Management (B.S.) with Exercise Science specialization only Neuroscience (B.S.) with Cognitive Neuroscience specialization only	20 credit hours
Physical Therapy, D.P.T.	Biology (B.S.) with Human Dynamics specialization only	29 credit hours
Physics, M.S. thesis with Analytics for Large Datasets specialization ***	Physics (B.S.)	12 credit hours
Psychology, M.A. non-thesis only with Human Factors specialization	~~Psychology (B.A., B.S.)~~ Correction: Available with any undergraduate bachelor’s program	12 credit hours
Public Administration, M.P.A.	Public Administration, M.P.A. accelerated program is by invitation only for high achieving undergraduate students in the following programs: Criminal Justice Studies (B.A., B.S.) International Studies (B.A.) Legal Studies (B.A., B.S.) Political Science (B.A., B.S.)	12 credit hours
Public Health, MPH	Approved undergraduate programs: BS in Public Health BS in Public Health with Health Education Specialization	12 credit hours
Secondary Education, M.A. with STEM Education Specialization	Approved USD B.S.Ed., B.A., or B.S. programs: Elementary Education BSED Secondary Education BSED Special Education BSED Special Education Double Major Plus Secondary Education BSED Elementary Education and Special Education BSED Elementary Education and Early Childhood BSED Elementary Education and Kindergarten Education BSED Biology with Secondary Education Certification BS Chemistry with Secondary Education Certification BS Communication Studies with Secondary Education Certification BA/BS English with Secondary Education Certification BA/BS German with Secondary Education Certification BA History with Secondary Education Certification BA/BS Mathematics with Secondary Education Certification BS Physics with Secondary Education Certification BS Political Science with Secondary Education Certification BA/BS Spanish with Secondary Education Certification BA	12 credit hours
Social Work, M.S.W.	Sociology (B.A. and B.S.)	24 credit hours
Special Education, M.A. with Advanced Specialist in Disabilities specialization only	Special Education, M.A. with Advanced Specialist in Disabilities specialization from any B.S.Ed. Program: Elementary & Special Education (B.S.Ed.) Elementary Education & Early Childhood (B.S.Ed.) Elementary Education & Kindergarten Education (B.S.Ed.) Elementary Education (B.S.Ed.) Secondary Education-English Education specialization (B.S.Ed.) Secondary Education-History Education specialization (B.S.Ed.) Secondary Education-Mathematics Education specialization (B.S.Ed.) Secondary Education-Physical Education specialization (B.S.Ed.) Secondary Education-Science Education specialization (B.S.Ed.) Secondary Education-Spanish Education specialization (B.S.Ed.) Special Education (B.S.Ed.)	12 credit hours
Speech-Language Pathology, M.A.	Communication Sciences and Disorders (B.A., B.S.)	12 credit hours
Sustainability, M.S. thesis and non-thesis	Sustainability, M.S. Accelerated program is available with any undergraduate bachelor’s program (effective Fall 2024)	12 credit hours

Advanced Track Graduate Programs:

Graduate Program	Undergraduate Program	Credit hours that apply to both the Undergraduate and Graduate Degrees
Accounting, M.Acc.	Accounting (B.B.A.)	♦ 0 credit hours double count. For individuals who qualify an advanced track 30 credit hours is offered. [Traditional M.P.A. without an approved business undergraduate program will take the standard 54 credit hour track.]
Addiction Counseling and Prevention, M.A., no specialization	Addiction Counseling and Prevention (B.S.)	♦ 0 credit hours double count. For individuals who qualify an advanced track of 33 credit hours is offered and is dependent upon the applicant’s addiction credentials and academic background. [Traditional M.A. will take the standard 45 credit hour track.]
Addiction Counseling and Prevention, M.A. with Co-Occurring specialization	Addiction Counseling and Prevention (B.S.)	♦ 0 credit hours double count. For individuals who qualify an advanced track of 33 credit hours is offered and is dependent upon the applicant’s addiction credentials and academic background. [Traditional M.A. will take the standard 45 credit hour track.]
M.B.A. Programs: Business Administration, M.B.A. - no specialization Business Administration, M.B.A. - Business Analytics specialization Business Administration, M.B.A. - Business Leadership specialization Business Administration, M.B.A. - Finance specialization Business Administration, M.B.A. - Health Services Administration specialization Business Administration, M.B.A. - Marketing specialization Business Administration, M.B.A. - Operations and Supply Chain Management specialization Business Administration, M.B.A. - Sustainability specialization	B.B.A. Programs: Accounting (B.B.A.) Agribusiness Leadership (B.B.A.) Business Administration (B.B.A.) Business Analytics (B.B.A.) Economics (B.B.A.) Finance (B.B.A.) Health Services Administration (B.B.A.) Human Resource Management (B.B.A.) Innovation and Entrepreneurship (B.B.A.) Marketing (B.B.A.) Management (B.B.A.) Supply Chain Management (B.B.A.)	12 graduate credit hours double count towards the undergraduate degree
Speech-Language Pathology, M.A.	Communication Sciences and Disorders (B.A., B.S.)	♦ 0 credit hours double count. For individuals who hold a baccalaureate degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders BA/BS, a 60 credit hour Advanced Standing Track concentration curriculum is offered. [Traditional Speech-Language Pathology M.A. will take the standard 78 credit hour track.]
Social Work, M.S.W. (Advanced Track)	Social Work (B.S.)	♦ 0 credit hours double count. For individuals who hold a baccalaureate degree in Social Work (e.g. BSW/BSSW) from a CSWE-accredited program, a 36 credit hour Advanced Standing Track concentration curriculum is offered. [Traditional M.S.W. without CSWE-accredited undergraduate program will take the standard 60 credit hour track.]