Exceptional students who bring to the university a definite commitment to a field of study in the College of Arts & Sciences and a demonstrated capacity for intensive work may be able to complete a master’s degree in a one-year accelerated program after completing the AB degree. This accelerated program, which begins each year in the fall semester, is open exclusively to students who graduated during the immediately preceding December, May, or August. Applications may be submitted at any time during the senior year up to the deadline of March 15. Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores are not required. The program is available only to students currently in their senior year and only for continuous enrollment the next year. There is no option for deferred admission. The application for admission must be made to the department, which forwards the application and recommendation for admission to the Office of Graduate Studies, Arts & Sciences. Application forms are available on the website of the Office of Graduate Studies, Arts & Sciences.

Some departments may not participate in this program, and some departments that do not otherwise offer a master's degree may provide this opportunity to Washington University undergraduates. Contact the relevant department for more specific information about its admission policies and requirements. Students admitted to the program will be regular, full-time graduate students enrolled in the School of Arts & Sciences at Washington University.

Most master’s degrees in Arts & Sciences require 36 credits. The accelerated program allows Washington University undergraduates to complete a master's degree in one academic year by applying up to five 3-credit courses or four 4-credit courses (a maximum of 16 units), taken as an undergraduate at the 400/4000 level or above, toward the master's degree requirements. For master's programs requiring fewer than 36 units, three courses at the 400/4000 level or above (with a maximum of 12 units) may be applied toward the master’s degree. Master’s programs requiring more than 36 units may require an additional semester or summer of enrollment. These undergraduate courses must be in an appropriate discipline, approved by the department, and completed with a grade of B or higher.

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