Industrial Engineering Accelerated Baccalaureate/Master's (ABM) Program

Program Overview

The objective of the accelerated Bachelors/Master's (ABM) degree program is to provide a means by which exceptional undergraduate IE students at NC State may complete the requirements for both the Baccalaureate and Masters degrees at an accelerated pace. It provides an opportunity for exceptional undergraduate IE students at NC State to double count up to 12 credits and obtain a non-thesis MIE degree within 12 months of completing the Baccalaureate degree or obtain a thesis based MSIE within 18 months of completing the Baccalaureate degree.

Eligibility

1. Students must have completed a minimum of seventy-five (75) and a maximum of ninety-six (96) credit hours in their undergraduate programs, including credits earned from advanced placement.
2. Transfer students must have completed a minimum of two semesters as a full-time student at NC State, a minimum of 24 hours.
3. Students must have a minimum accumulated grade point average (GPA) of 3.5/4.0 at NC State.
4. Students must have satisfied all prerequisite requirements for 400 level courses.

Allowable Course Substitutions

Students admitted to the program may substitute, up to a four (4) course limit, graduate level courses for 400 level undergraduate courses according to the following schedule:

Please note: The BS portion of this program has already been approved by the University. In all cases, whether in the traditional BS or ABM, ABET and University requirements will be satisfied based upon the four (4) year curriculum.

Application Procedure

1. A prospective student that meets the eligibility requirements above should set up a meeting with his/her Directors of Undergraduate and Graduate Programs to develop a Plan of Graduate Work for his/her Baccalaureate and Master's degree programs.
2. The prospective student should be given a copy of the completed Plan of Graduate Work.
3. Students in an ABM program must submit the standard application for admission to the Graduate School including, an application form, application fee, and transcripts. In addition, a Plan of Graduate Work (as described below), signed by the prospective student and the Directors of Undergraduate and Graduate Programs must be submitted. Some programs may require GRE scores or other information.
4. The Plan of Graduate Work for the Master's degree should clearly indicate:
   • the courses (a maximum of 12 graduate credit hours) that will be double counted for both Baccalaureate and Master's degrees,
   • the courses (a maximum of 6 additional graduate credit hours) that are taken as an undergraduate student at NC State and that will not be counted towards the Baccalaureate degree,
   • the courses that will be taken after matriculating in to the graduate program,
   • the graduation date for the Master's degree that meets the time limit for the ABM program (i.e. obtaining a non-thesis Master's degree in the same field within 12 months of completing the Baccalaureate degree or obtaining a thesis based Master's degree in the same field within 18 months of completing the Baccalaureate degree).
5. Upon review of the materials submitted by the Directors of Graduate and Undergraduate programs to the Graduate School, a letter of acceptance (or denial) to the Master's program, contingent on meeting the ABM requirements, will be sent to the student with a copy to the Directors of Graduate and Undergraduate programs.
6. Any changes to the ABM Plan of Graduate Work must be submitted in writing to and approved by the Dean of the Graduate School.

Requirements and Stipulations

Generally the baccalaureate and masters degrees will both be in IE. However, on an individual case basis, it may be recommend that the Graduate School permit an undergraduate student from a closely related field to do his/her masters work for the ABM in IE.

Rules Governing Participation and Graduation:

1. Students must complete the Baccalaureate degree prior to entering the Master's program. Students in the ABM may not elect to by-pass the Baccalaureate degree.
2. Students must receive a grade of B (3.0/4.0) or better in the double counted graduate level courses. Courses with a grade of B- or below can not be double counted between the two degrees.
3. No more than twelve (12) hours of graduate work may be counted towards the requirements of both degrees.
4. Students must complete the Master's degree within 12 months from the completion of the baccalaureate degree for a non-thesis Master's degree and within 18 months for Master's programs requiring a thesis. If the Master's program is not completed within these time limits, none of the courses can be double counted.
5. Permission to pursue an ABM degree program does not guarantee an admission to the Graduate School. Admission is contingent on meeting eligibility requirements at the time of entering the graduate program.

Withdrawal/Ineligibility:

1. A student may at any time withdraw from an approved ABM program, by informing the Directors of Undergraduate and Graduate programs in writing. A copy of this should be sent to the Graduate School.
2. If a student completes the Baccalaureate degree requirements with an accumulated GPA of less than 3.5/4.0, then he/she is no longer eligible to pursue the ABM program.
3. A student who does not follow the approved Plan of Graduate Work may become ineligible to participate in the ABM program. However, it will generelly be possible to officially revise a Plan of Graduate Work if needed.
4. It is the responsibility of the student to recognize his/her eligibility status. If a student becomes ineligible to participate in the ABM degree program, the Director of Graduate Programs should inform the student in writing of his/her ineligibility. A copy of this letter to the student should be sent to the Graduate School.
5. A student who is ineligible to participate in (or withdraws from) the ABM program, can not double count any courses for both Baccalaureate and Master's degrees.

Implementation

These new guidelines supersede any previously approved guidelines.

Last Updated: June 3, 2003

Contact Information: For more information please contact Mr. Clarence Smith, Assistant Department Head.