This program offers exceptionally qualified undergraduate students the opportunity to enroll in graduate courses that contribute to both their bachelor's and master's degrees. By gaining an early advantage in completing their graduate coursework, students can accelerate their path to obtaining a master's degree in only one additional year.
Application and Admission Information
Eligibility Requirements
- Current full-time UNL Civil Engineering undergraduate students with a GPA minimum of 3.0.
- Sophomore standing or higher.
- One or more enrollment terms remaining before bachelor's degree graduation.
Program-Specific Admission Requirements
In your application for admission to this master's program:
- Personal Statement: Your statement should include your career goals, research interests (if applicable), relevant experience, personal qualities, and name(s) of potential graduate faculty advisors.
- Resume/CV
- Applicant Worksheet for Accelerated Civil Engineering (MS)
- Application fee of $25
NOT Required
- Letters of recommendation
- GRE
How to Apply
- Consult your Undergraduate Academic Advisor.
- Complete the Applicant Worksheet with your advisor.
- Bachelor's graduation in spring: Master's admission in summer or fall.
- Bachelor's graduation in summer: Master's admission in fall.
- Bachelor's graduation in fall: Master's admission in spring.
- Complete and submit your graduate application at https://go.unl.edu/gradapp for admission with payment of its $25 application fee.
Application Details
- The priority application deadline is 9/15 of the prior year for Spring admissions and 1/15 for Summer/Fall admission.
- When you apply, create a new account at https://go.unl.edu/gradapp. This account will be separate from your current student account.
- Include your name and NU ID. This will affect your billing since you will be taking graduate courses.
- Select the correct program. Scroll down and select the “UNL accelerated program.” Do NOT select the M.S. program.
- You must pay the $25 application fee at the time of submission.
- After submission, your application is sent to the Office of Graduate Studies, and then to the Civil Engineering for review. After the department has reviewed your application, it is sent back to the Office of Graduate Studies (OGS), for admission approval. If your application is accepted, a letter will be sent to you from OGS.
- You cannot be admitted as an undergraduate and graduate student at the same time. The Office of Graduate Studies will “future date” your graduate program. If you do not complete your undergraduate degree, contact the Office of Graduate Studies.
- If you are receiving undergraduate financial aid, acceptance to the program will not disqualify you from receiving that aid.
- Your tuition bill will be larger once you become a graduate student.
- TOEFL scores will not be required for submission since you are an undergraduate student at UNL.
- Students must complete the application worksheet as part of the application process and identify when they are planning to take their courses (in order to receive permission codes for enrollment). The OGS will create the permission code and send it to you.
Enrollment Requirements
- During the senior year, students may take up to 12 credit hours of approved graduate coursework (see table below), and they will be charged the graduate tuition rate for graduate courses applied to the bachelor’s degree.
- Students retain eligibility for undergraduate scholarships and financial aid through the senior year.
- After completion of all bachelor’s degree requirements, students will be enrolled as graduate students, charged the graduate tuition rate, and eligible for graduate assistantships and fellowships.
- All applications will be reviewed by CIVE graduate committee regarding recommendation on admission.
Coursework Requirements
- No more than 12 credit hours of graduate coursework (with a minimum grade of B) listed in the table below may count toward both the bachelor’s and master’s degrees. No course substitutions are permitted.
- The coursework (up to 12 credit hours of) to be double-counted toward both the bachelor’s and master’s degrees is considered as dual-list courses and NOT Grad Only Courses.
- If dual-listed courses are included in the Accelerated Master’s Program, students must register at the 800-level and complete all graduate-level requirements. Dual-listed courses previously taken and completed at the 400-level will not be retroactively changed to the 800-level.
- All other requirements are the same as the standard Civil Engineering master’s degree. More details can be found in the Civil Engineering Graduate Handbook.
How To Enroll
Admitted students will be emailed permission codes and will enroll themselves in the courses identified on their worksheet.
List of courses that will be counted toward both bachelor's and master’s degrees:
| Undergraduate Course | Graduate Equivalent | Course Title | Credit Hours | Frequency of course offering |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CIVE 424 | CIVE 824 | Solid and Hazardous Waste Management | 3 | Every year |
| CIVE 425 | CIVE 826 | Design of Water Treatment Facilities | 3 | Every odd year |
| CIVE 427 | CIVE 827 | Design of Wastewater Treatment and Disposal Facilities | 3 | Every even year |
| CIVE 436 | CIVE 836 | Foundation Engineering | 3 | Every year |
| CIVE 443 | CIVE 843 | Advanced Structural Analysis | 3 | Every year |
| CIVE 447 | CIVE 847 | Reinforced Concrete Design II | 3 | Every year |
| CIVE 419 | CIVE 819 | Flow Systems Design | 3 | Every year |
| CIVE 456 | CIVE 856 | Surface Water Hydrology | 3 | Every year |
| CIVE 462 | CIVE 862 | Highway Design | 3 | Every year |
| CIVE 463 | CIVE 863 | Traffic Engineering | 3 | Every year |
| CIVE 472 | CIVE 872 | Pavement Design and Evaluation | 3 | Every year |
Frequently Asked Questions
When can I apply?
As soon as you reach sophomore standing. Programs may have specific timelines; contact the program's Graduate Chair for information.
Why would a student do this?
A student can double-count up to 12 credit hours, making progress toward bachelor's and master's degrees simultaneously.
How is this different from Graduate Credit for Undergraduates?
In accelerated master's programs, graduate credit is applied to both the bachelor's and master's degrees. With general Graduate Credit for Undergraduates, the graduate course does not apply to both.
Can any undergraduate student participate?
Students must be admitted into one of the listed undergraduate programs, have a 3.0 GPA, be a current and full-time student, and have one or more terms of enrollment remaining before completing the bachelor's degree.
Do I need to meet with the graduate advisor before applying?
Consulting the master's program's Graduate Chair (named in program details above) is encouraged, but not a requirement for acceptance.
How do I prepare my application materials?
UNL Career Services provide provides support for undergraduate students applying to graduate school.
Am I billed at the graduate or undergraduate tuition rate?
Graduate credits are billed at the graduate rate.
Does my scholarship and/or financial aid cover graduate tuition?
Contact the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid and/or the external scholarship provider.
Am I an admitted graduate student?
Students are admitted for future entry into the graduate program, becoming graduate students after conferral of the bachelor's degree.
How will the graduate courses appear on my undergraduate degree audit?
These graduate courses will satisfy specific undergraduate course requirements, as shown in program-specific tables above.