As an online student, you’re probably an expert in multitasking — pursuing your degree while working full time, caring for a family, or otherwise balancing numerous responsibilities. As an online institution, the University of Arizona Global Campus is in the business of helping you balance those roles with a straightforward path to educational and career goals. Enter SMART Track — an opportunity for students in the University of Arizona Global Campus bachelor’s degree programs to earn credit that can be applied toward a master’s degree. If you see a master’s degree in your future, here’s how the University of Arizona Global Campus can help you make that goal possible.
What Is SMARTTrack?
SMART Track is a way for bachelor’s degree-level students to accelerate completion of a master’s degree at the University of Arizona Global Campus. Students who participate can enroll in up to nine (9) applicable credits of graduate-level coursework toward their bachelor’s degree and accelerate completion of a master’s degree with the University of Arizona Global Campus.* Established as a way to help students save time and money on their education, SMART Track can help you complete your master’s degree program by up to 18 weeks faster.
How Can You Qualify for Combined Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree Credit?
There are a few requirements you need to meet in order to qualify for the SMART Track program. Check out the list below and see if you can start earning combined bachelor’s and master’s degree credits.
- Be a senior-level student with 108+ credits earned toward a bachelor’s degree at the University of Arizona Global Campus
- Have a 2.75 or higher cumulative GPA to begin a master’s-level course
- Meet any prerequisite coursework requirements for each course
- Indicate to your Student Advisor that you plan to apply for admission to a specific master’s degree program at the University of Arizona Global Campus upon completion of the bachelor’s degree, and request the courses through your Student Advisor
- Be in good financial standing at the University of Arizona Global Campus
- Complete a SMART Track Request form
What Are the Benefits of Earning Combined Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree Credit?
There are many reasons to pursue a master’s degree, and SMART Track makes it a more effective process in several ways.
A master’s degree sets you apart
Master’s degrees are a great way to stand apart from others in your field, and may increasingly become required in your industry. Occupations that typically require a master’s degree for entry are projected to grow 18.4 percent from 2012 to 2022.
You save time and money
A benefit so nice, we’ll say it twice. As you fulfill bachelor’s degree credits, you’re satisfying master’s-level credits that you won’t have to complete later. Because you won’t have to take those credits in your master’s degree program, you’re saving on tuition costs, too. And because you’re taking master’s degree courses at the bachelor’s degree level, you’re only paying undergraduate credit costs instead of graduate credit costs. On the SMART Track program, you can shave up to 18 weeks off the time needed to complete your graduate degree and also save a significant amount in tuition costs. Combine this program with the Alumni Tuition grant for additional savings.
If you’re looking for a way to gain a competitive edge in your field with a master’s degree, SMART Track can help you earn combined bachelor’s and master’s credits. To start taking advantage of this program, contact a UAGC advisor today.
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Written by University Staff