ETSU’s Accelerated Bachelor’s to Master’s Program allows motivated students to complete both degrees in as little as five years, saving time and money while advancing their careers.
Noah Wren knew he faced at least eight years of higher education to reach his goal of earning a doctorate. When his adviser mentioned a way to accelerate that journey, he jumped at the opportunity.
“Knowing I’d spend at least eight years in school to earn a doctorate, I jumped at the opportunity to really accelerate my educational journey through the accelerated bachelor’s to master’s program at ETSU,” said Wren, who earned his bachelor’s in health sciences from East Tennessee State University and is now halfway through a master’s in public health with a concentration in biostatistics while also earning a graduate certificate in health data analytics.
The program Wren discovered – ETSU’s Accelerated Bachelor’s to Master’s Degree Program, or ABM – allows high-achieving undergraduate students to complete both degrees in as little as five years.
It saves time and money while setting students up for excellent career opportunities.
What is the ABM program at ETSU?
The ABM program offers flexibility for undergraduate majors and graduate programs, enabling students to collaborate with advisers to create a personalized plan that aligns with their background and career objectives.
Some students complete a master’s in the same discipline as their undergraduate degree. Others, like Wren, move from a related undergraduate major into a different master’s program, creating a pathway aligned with specific career aspirations.
“I first heard about the ABM program through my adviser,” Wren said. “It was probably around my sophomore or junior year of undergrad. It really seemed like a good fit for me to kind of take some steps forward and accelerate where I was at with my education.”
Recent ABM students have completed programs in computer sciences, business, brand and media strategy, chemistry, health administration, speech-language pathology, teacher education and more.
How does ABM accelerate student success?
The program allowed Wren to begin taking graduate-level courses earlier than originally planned, opening doors he hadn’t anticipated.
“The ABM program really allowed me to start taking those classes earlier than I originally planned, which means I was able to network with professors, get involved with research sooner, and really take a much deeper dive into the topics I was interested in,” Wren said.
His faculty advisers helped him make connections both within and beyond ETSU. Internally, he connected with research projects and professors. Externally, advisers helped him explore professional development opportunities, including connections with Ballad Health that introduced him to pharmacy career pathways and various job prospects.
What are the financial benefits?
Beyond the educational advantages, ABM offers significant financial benefits.
Wren took 12 graduate credits as an undergraduate, saving a substantial amount of money while advancing his studies. He also maximized his HOPE Scholarship, using it to help pay for both his undergraduate degree and the start of his graduate coursework.
“I did receive the HOPE Scholarship while I was an undergrad, and doing the ABM program allowed me to maximize it and help pay for both my undergrad and the start of my graduate coursework,” he said.
By completing both degrees in less time, ABM students also save on living expenses and can enter the workforce or pursue doctoral studies sooner than traditional timelines allow.
What should students considering ABM know?
For students considering the program, Wren offers clear advice: plan ahead and talk to your adviser early.
“If anyone was considering pursuing the ABM program, I would highly recommend talking to your adviser about it and really planning out for it in advance to maximize the amount of value you'll get out of it, both economically and in terms of what skills and professional development you can get,” Wren said.
Who is eligible for ABM?
The ABM Program is highly flexible and available to almost any undergraduate major at ETSU. Students work with their undergraduate adviser and the graduate coordinator of their chosen graduate program to develop a customized plan of study.
The program is ideal for motivated students ready to deepen their expertise and advance more quickly in their chosen field. With proper planning, students can complete both bachelor's and master's degrees in as little as five years.
Interested students should reach out to their academic adviser to determine if the ABM program aligns with their academic goals and career aspirations.
Get the latest at etsu.edu/accelerated.
