» Accelerated Graduate Programs

• MA in Curriculum and Instruction*
• MA in English
• MA in Film Studies
• MA in International Studies
• MA in Leadership Development
• MA in War and Society
• MBA
• MS in Accounting
• MS in Behavioral and Computational Economics
• MS in Computational and Data Sciences
• MS in Food Science
• MS in Health and Strategic Communication
• MS in Pharmaceutical Sciences

*The MA in Curriculum and Instruction (MACI) requires students to apply for the accelerated program during their sophomore year. Contact MACI department directly for specific details.

Before applying to an Accelerated Program, you should schedule a meeting with the program’s graduate department to learn more about the program and ensure you are able to complete an Accelerated Program with your current major and course schedule.

You can apply via the Chapman University General Application. Please note that:

• An application fee is not required for Accelerated Program applicants
• You will not need to send an official transcript from Chapman for your application. Just list Chapman University on your application and we will obtain your transcript internally.
• Test scores are required for the following programs:
  • GMAT for MBA
  • GRE for MS in Behavioral and Computational Economics
• Programs that require a letter(s) of recommendation.
  • MA in Curriculum and Instruction*
  • MA in Film Studies
  • MBA
  • MS in Accounting
  • MS in Behavioral and Computational Economics
  • MS in Computational and Data Sciences
  • MS in Health and Strategic Communication
  • MS in Pharmaceutical Sciences

• Check your program’s specific requirements regarding a resume/CV. If one is required, please include any paid or unpaid experiences relevant to the program.

• Check your program’s specific requirement regarding statement of intent. Some programs require specific topics to be addressed in your statement.

Accelerated Graduate Programs allow current Chapman undergraduate students to take up to 12 credits of graduate coursework while still enrolled in their undergraduate program, allowing them to complete their master’s degree with only one additional year of coursework.

You’ll save money. As an undergraduate student, you will continue paying the set amount for undergraduate tuition, without any additional charge for taking graduate courses (up to 12 credits).

You’ll save time. You’ll finish your graduate degree in just one year, after having completed your bachelor’s degree and enter the workforce that much sooner.

You’ll continue your education at a place you know. You won’t have to start over at a new school. You’ll already know what resources are available to you. You might even already know some of your professors in the graduate program.

While you will need to start the application process for an accelerated program during your junior year, the term you are applying for will be the term you actually would become a graduate student, the semester after you complete your bachelor’s degree. For instance, if your undergraduate coursework will be completed in May, you would apply for summer or fall of that same year. If you are unsure what term to apply for, check with the graduate program directly.

No, you must apply for, and be admitted into an Accelerated Graduate Program before the start of your senior year, and before you begin taking graduate courses. View application requirements and begin the application here.

If you are applying to the Accelerated MACI program for a Summer 2023 start, you must apply by January 15, 2021.

If you are applying to the Accelerated MA in Film Studies program, please note that the program has a strict deadline. The deadline to apply for Fall 2022 is February 1, 2021. 

For all other Accelerated programs there is no specific deadline to apply. You just need to apply by the end of your junior year.

Reach out to the graduate program’s coordinator and complete the Accelerated Program Advising Sheet together to ensure you are on track to successfully enroll in the Accelerated Graduate program of your choice.

For most Accelerated programs, you will need to apply and be admitted to the program prior to the end of your junior year*. This will ensure you register and enroll in graduate courses in the fall semester of your senior year.

Contact the graduate admission office or the specific graduate department for more details.

* The M.A. in Curriculum Instruction requires students to apply for the accelerated program during their sophomore year so they can start taking classes in their junior year. Contact their department directly for additional details.

Log into your application status page to “Reply to Your Offer of Admission.” This will allow you to electronically accept your offer of admission. Once this step is completed, you will be able to register for graduate courses!

Meeting with the specific graduate program you are applying to is important for a seamless transition into an accelerated program. The graduate department will advise you through which courses to enroll in. You'll also need to complete the Undergraduate Request to Register for Graduate Course form when registering for your graduate courses.

While you will enroll in graduate courses during your senior year, you are still considered an undergraduate student during this time. You will become a graduate student once you have completed all requirements to receive your bachelor’s degree and are only taking graduate courses. Once you have received your bachelor’s degree, your status at Chapman will change to graduate student.

Your tuition and financial aid will remain the same until you change from undergraduate to graduate student. Once you are considered a graduate student only taking graduate classes, your tuition and financial aid will be recalculated to match your graduate program and status.

For additional questions, contact the Graduate Financial Aid Office at gradfinaid@chapman.edu or (714) 628-2730.

Accelerated programs allow current Chapman undergraduate students to take up to 12 credits of graduate coursework while still enrolled in their undergraduate program. Bridge programs do not allow undergraduate students to take graduate coursework during their undergraduate program.

Bridge programs guarantee highly qualified Health Science undergraduate students at Chapman University admission or an interview and preferential consideration for admission depending on the graduate program. Visit the Bridge Programs website for more information.