Accelerated 5-Year Programs

Male student walking near the McNichols Campus fountain

Accelerated 5-Year Programs

Accelerate your schedule. Accrue substantial savings!

University of Detroit Mercy's College of Liberal Arts & Education offers Accelerated 5-Year Programs that allow well-prepared incoming freshmen to complete both their bachelor's and master's degrees in just five years (10 consecutive semesters). Juniors and transfer students may be admitted into this program with the permission of the Dean’s Office and based on applicable incoming credits, may complete the program in less time.

Cybersecurity

  • Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity TO Master of Science in Cybersecurity Management
  • Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity TO Master of Science in Intelligence Analysis

Criminal Justice

  • Bachelor of Science (major: criminal justice) TO Master of Arts (major: criminal justice)
  • Bachelor of Science (major: criminal justice) TO Master of Science in Intelligence Analysis Economics/Financial

Economics

  • Bachelor of Arts (major: economics) TO Master of Arts in Economics

Financial Economics

  • Bachelor of Arts (major: financial economics) TO Master of Arts in Financial Economics

Industrial/Organizational Psychology

  • Bachelor of Arts (major: I/O Psychology) TO Master of Arts (major: I/O Psychology) 

How it Works—Save Time and Money

The student pays full-time undergraduate tuition during the first four years and regular graduate tuition for the fifth year. One economic benefit to the student is that the cost of the first 12 graduate credits (two courses in the fall and two courses in the winter) is covered by the normal undergraduate tuition. There are no additional costs incurred in the fourth-year-full-time tuition rate. Since the graduate program will be reduced by the four graduate courses taken while an undergraduate student, the graduate program can be completed faster and more economically. Certain financial aid benefits are also applied to the entire five-year program usually resulting in more cost-savings.

Admission Requirements

For Incoming Freshmen:

  • Enter the accelerated 5-year option as a full-time incoming freshman;
  • Have an SAT score of at least 1160 or minimum ACT composite score of 24, with a minimum of 22 in each section;
  • Have a high school grade point average of 3.4 overall on a 4.0 point scale; and
  • Place into appropriate-level freshmen math and writing courses at University of Detroit Mercy.

Detroit Mercy students enrolled in another Detroit Mercy major can transfer into this program up to their first term as a junior if they maintained a minimum grade point average of 3.25 each term throughout their undergraduate program.

For Transfer Students Entering from a Community College:

  • Must have 60-63 transferable credits.
  • Meet the requirements for the Michigan Transfer Agreement (MTA).
  • Students are not required to apply for the graduate portion or take any exams such as GRE if they have met and maintained all accelerated program requirements.

Program Requirements:

  • All undergraduate and graduate requirements must be met.
  • Students must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.25 throughout the entire undergraduate portion of the program, and a minimum GPA of 3.0 for graduate courses.
  • Students will be placed into appropriate-level freshmen math and writing courses at Detroit Mercy.
  • Students may qualify for different financial aid packages for onsite and online graduate programs.
  • Incoming freshmen must complete this program in five years from start to finish. Transfer students must also complete the program within the required time frame based on the number of transferable credits. If a student does not finish within the required time, it reverts to the costs associated with earning a master's degree outside of the five-year program and other financial aid benefits may be lost.
  • Students must finish their bachelor's degree by the end of their fourth year and master's degree by the end of their fifth year. During a student's senior year, they can take up to two graduate level courses for each term with a maximum of four. Students can take summer courses if needed to catch up or advance. 
  • Full-time status usually means 15-18 credit hours per semester, resulting in 102-108 credits entering as a senior.
  • A maximum of 12 credits is allowed per semester in the undergraduate portion of the program for graduate classes (6 credits in fall and 6 in winter). 

Sample Program for Incoming Freshmen:

(Note: Full-time status must be maintained In all semesters) 

First Year: 30-36 undergraduate credits
Second Year: 30-36 undergraduate credits
Third Year: 30-36 undergraduate credits
Fourth Year:

  • First Semester: 9-12 undergraduate credits (6 graduate credits)
  • Second Semester9-12 undergraduate credits (6 graduate credits)

Fifth Year:

  • First Semester: 9-12 graduate credits (depending on program)
  • Second Semester: 9-12 graduate credits (depending on program)

Sample Program for Transfer Students

(Note: Full-time status must be maintained in all semesters) 

Third Year: 30-36 undergraduate credits
Fourth Year:

  • First Semester: 9-12 undergraduate credits (6 graduate credits)
  • Second Semester: 9-12 undergraduate credits (6 graduate credits)

Fifth Year:

  • First Semester: 9-12 graduate credits (depending on program)
  • Second Semester: 9-12 graduate credits (depending on program)