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Accelerated Degree Programs

Accelerated Degree Programs

Fast track your education with an Accelerated Degree from Western.

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Western Colorado University offers a variety of Accelerated Degree programs that allow you to earn both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in just five years. Our Accelerated Degree programs are designed to jump start your career, while saving you time and money.

Areas of Study

Master of Arts in Education

B.A. in Elementary Education with Teacher Licensure; M.A. in Education (3+2)

Accelerated Degree Programs

B.A. in Elementary Education with Teacher Licensure; M.A. in Education (3+2)
Taylor Martin, a student teacher at Gunnison High School, assists a couple of students with their classwork.

Bachelor of Arts/Science with Teacher Licensure; M.A. in Education (3+2)

Accelerated Degree Programs

Bachelor of Arts/Science with Teacher Licensure; M.A. in Education (3+2)
A close up shot of a student writing in her journal on Taylor Lawn

Graduate Program in Creative Writing (GPCW) 3+2

Accelerated Degree Programs

Graduate Program in Creative Writing (GPCW) 3+2
Gallery Management

M.A. in Gallery and Museum Management (MGMM) 3+2

Accelerated Degree Programs

M.A. in Gallery and Museum Management (MGMM) 3+2
Accelerated Degree Programs

M.S. in Ecology 3+2

Accelerated Degree Programs

M.S. in Ecology 3+2
Accelerated Degree Programs

M.S. in Exercise & Sport Science: High Altitude Exercise Physiology (HAEP) 3+2

Accelerated Degree Programs

M.S. in Exercise & Sport Science: High Altitude Exercise Physiology (HAEP) 3+2
MEM 3+2

Master in Environmental Management (MEM) 3+2

Accelerated Degree Programs

Master in Environmental Management (MEM) 3+2
Accelerated Degree Programs

Master of Behavioral Science in Rural Community Health 3+2

B.A. in Sociology + MBS in Rural Health

Master of Behavioral Science in Rural Community Health 3+2
NEW
A student prepares to rock climb while her partner sets up a belay.

Outdoor Industry MBA 3+2

Accelerated Degree Programs

Outdoor Industry MBA 3+2
Accelerated Degree Programs

Maximize your investment.

Our Accelerated Degree programs are customized to meet your unique needs, while creating an efficient and seamless path to complete your undergraduate and graduate studies. Through our Accelerated Degree programs, you’ll cultivate valuable professional skills including leadership, critical thinking and analysis.

As an Accelerated Degree student at Western, you’ll complete most of your undergraduate coursework in your first three years. In the fourth year, you can take both undergraduate and graduate-level courses, completing your bachelor’s degree. In the fifth year, you’ll be admitted to the School of Graduate Studies to focus solely on graduate courses and complete your master’s degree.

Demonstrating academic success

Western provides rigorous coursework, laboratory research and extensive fieldwork to prepare you for a successful career in any field you choose.

Accelerated Degree Programs

Tuition & Aid

Accelerated Degree Programs Tuition & Aid

For the first three years, you’ll pay undergraduate tuition and are eligible for undergraduate financial aid. The fourth year, you’ll take a combination of graduate courses and undergraduate courses, maintaining your access to undergraduate financial aid, as you complete their bachelor’s degree. In the final year, you’ll pay graduate tuition. Altogether, this reduces the cost of the master’s degree by about one year of what a traditional program would cost.

Rewarding outcomes

Master in Environmental Management graduate, Oluwalana Ayodeji Olatunbosun, smiles after he receives his diploma.

Scholarships

Alumni Association Future Alumni Scholarship

The Alumni Association Scholarship is a one-time scholarship of $1,000 and is applicable for the student’s junior or senior year at Western.

Any child or grandchild of an alumni is eligible to receive the Future Alumni Scholarship.

  • This is a one-time non-renewable scholarship of $1,000.
  • Only one Future Alumni Scholarship will be awarded per academic year.
  • GPA must be 3.2 or above (college).

Due date has been extended to April 1 for 2023. An Alumni selection committee, appointed by the Alumni Advisory Council, will review applicants and select awardee by June 1.

Apply

Alumni Legacy Scholarship

The Alumni Legacy Scholarship is a one-time non-renewable scholarship and is only applicable for the student’s first year at Western (incoming freshman or new transfer students are eligible).

Do you have a son or daughter looking at college? Have they considered attending Western? As an alumni, your son, daughter and/or grandchildren are eligible for certain benefits distributed through this scholarship, as follows:

  • This is a one-time scholarship of $1,000.
  • Nominee must be an incoming first-year student or new transfer.
  • The cost of orientation is reduced by half (a $45 value).
  • The admission application fee is waived (a $30 value).
  • GPA must be 2.5 or above (high school or college of transfer).

The applicant must fill out the application form found below. Application forms are accepted year-round. If the applicant meets the GPA guidelines, the scholarship will be awarded.

Apply

Mountaineer Alumni Recommendation Scholarship

The Mountaineer Alumni Recommendation Scholarship is a one-time non-renewable scholarship and is only applicable for the student’s first year at Western. This scholarship is not available to midyear transfers or students beginning in the spring semester.

Are you an alumni or employee of Western and know a prospective (or incoming) student who would be a great fit at Western? A recommendation from alumni and employees can support any new student and provide them a $500 scholarship their first year. (Western employees may not recommend a spouse or dependent receiving tuition benefits).

  • Any Western alumni/employee may nominate only one student per academic year to receive the $500 scholarship (distributed $250 per semester).
  • The scholarship is good for the first year only and is non-renewable.
  • The recommended student must be a full-time undergraduate student, attending Western for the first time.

The applicant must fill out the application form found here. The nominating alumni/employee must fill out the application form and submit the required documents by June 1. The recommended student must meet university admissions acceptance standards and complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

The Presidential Promise is guaranteed to students who have received a scholarship through the Denver Scholarship Foundation (DSF) and/or GearUp—and are eligible for a Pell Grant.

For students who meet these criteria, Western will cover the cost of tuition and fees through the combination of federal, state and institutional aid. For more information on the Presidential Promise, visit our scholarships page.

Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) or Central Plains (CP) tuition represents a substantial savings relative to normal, out-of-state tuition. Students eligible for the WUE or CP program will be charged 150% of Western’s total in-state tuition. For 2018-19, total in-state tuition was $8,934. WUE/CP tuition was $13,401. The WUE/CP discount is valued at $4,695.

For more information about the WUE and CP geography-based programs, visit Western’s Tuition Discount Programs Page.

Immediately upon acceptance at Western, every student is considered for a merit scholarship worth between $2,500-$4,500 per year for in-state students and $8,000-$10,000 for out-of-state students. The amount is based on the student’s GPA and ACT/SAT scores. Visit our Net Price Calculator at western.edu/cost to determine whether you qualify for a merit scholarship.

For more information about merit scholarships at Western, visit our scholarships page.

News & Research

Bria Rickert competes in a ski mountaineering race.

Western Skimo Athlete Brianna Rickert Aims for Olympic Gold

Read More about Western Skimo Athlete Brianna Rickert Aims for Olympic Gold

Spotlight

Accelerated Degree Programs

Jacob Stroup

Student

“Learning how my body works and learning ways to improve my performance is something I have always thought about. Exercise and Sport Science is the perfect major for the interests that I have always had.”

Additional Resources

CCCS Transfer Partnership

Overview Western Colorado University is proud to announce its new partnership with the Colorado Community College System (CCCS). This collaborative effort aims to help students […]

Learn More

RRCC Transfer Partnership

Red Rocks Community College/Western Partnership Program Western Colorado University has partnered with Red Rocks Community College to create an innovative degree path that allows students […]

Learn More

Department Information

Accelerated Degree Programs

Executive Director

Marlo Frazier

Executive Director, School of Graduate Studies Operations

Graduate Program Coordinator

Deanna Banker, B.S.

Graduate Database Administrator & Analyst

Campus Location

1 Western Way
Quigley Hall 118
Gunnison, CO 81231

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