Accelerated Paths

Final Degree: Bachelor of Arts in International Studies, Master of Social Work (MSW)

Students accepted in this accelerated program may take a maximum of four graduate courses while still having undergraduate status. Those twelve graduate credit hours will be double–counted towards both the B.A. in International Studies and the MSW.

When pursued separately, the B.A. in International Studies requires 120 hours and the MSW requires 60, for a total of 180 hours. Through this accelerated path, by double–counting four graduate courses, this total could be reduced to 168. In other words, a student completes the 60 required hours for the MSW, but can reduce the number of undergraduate courses required for the B.A. in International Studies by four.

Students typically will apply in the second semester of their junior year, and if accepted, take two graduate courses during each semester of their senior year. Timing may vary, however, depending on individual circumstances.

The courses to be double–counted toward the two degrees must be approved jointly by the director of International Studies and the director of the MSW program.

Students in this accelerated path may also pursue Honors in the Major in International Studies.

The accelerated BA/MSW path offers the following benefits:

• Proceed more quickly toward the completion of a graduate degree.
• Use undergraduate financial aid and/or scholarships as partial payment for four graduate courses.
• Save on cost of living expenses by earning an MSW more quickly.
• Enter the MSW program without taking the GRE.
• Save on the tuition of the four undergraduate courses that are replaced by graduate courses (you pay more in the short term, as graduate tuition is more than undergraduate tuition, but save in the long run, as you are paying for up to four fewer undergraduate courses).

To be eligible to apply for this accelerated path, you must do the following:

• Earn a GPA of 3.5 in the major.
• Complete INS3003 Introduction to International Studies and at least four other courses within the major with grades of B or better.
• Provide letters of recommendation from two UNF faculty members.
• Meet with the director of the MSW program before applying.

Acceptance into this accelerated path does not guarantee a student’s eventual admission into the graduate program. Rather, the student must do both of the following:

• Earn a grade of B or better in all graduate courses taken while an undergraduate.
• Apply for admission into the MSW upon completion of the requirements of the B.A. in International Studies.

Students in the accelerated path are considered for acceptance into the MSW through a simplified application process.

See the website of the UNF Graduate School for general information on accelerated B.A.-to-M.A. programs.

For more information, contact the director of the Bachelor of Arts in International Studies or the director of the Master of Social Work.

This language was approved by the UNF Faculty Association in December 2019.

Final Degree: Bachelor of Arts in International Studies, Graduate Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)

 Please note: The Graduate Certificate in TESOL and the Masters in Elementary Education with a Concentration in TESOL have both temporarily suspended enrollment and are not enrolling students at this time.

Students accepted in this accelerated program may take a maximum of three graduate courses while still having undergraduate status. Those nine graduate credit hours will be double–counted towards both the B.A. in International Studies and the Graduate Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL).

When pursued separately, the B.A. in International Studies requires 120 hours and the Graduate Certificate in TESOL requires 18, for a total of 138 hours. Through this accelerated path, by double–counting three graduate courses, this total could be reduced to 129. In other words, a student completes the 18 required hours for the Graduate Certificate in TESOL, but can reduce the number of undergraduate courses required for the B.A. in International Studies by three.

Students typically will apply in the second semester of their junior year, and if accepted, take the three graduate courses during their senior year. Timing may vary, however, depending on individual circumstances.

Students in this accelerated path take TSL6345 Methods of Teaching in ESOL and Bilingual Settings, TSL6142 ESOL Curriculum Development, and any one of the other six required courses for the certificate. These courses will be double–counted as electives for the undergraduate degree.

Students in this accelerated path may also pursue Honors in the Major in International Studies.

This accelerated BA/graduate certificate path allows students to proceed more quickly toward the completion of the graduate certificate and to save on the tuition of the three undergraduate courses that are replaced by graduate courses.

Students must be aware, however, that financial aid generally does not apply to graduate certificate programs, or may not pay the full cost of the graduate tuition. For assistance in understanding the financial implications of pursuing this path, students should consult on an individual basis with One-Stop Student Services.

To be eligible to apply for this accelerated path, you must do the following:

• Earn a GPA of 3.5 in the major.
• Complete INS3003 Introduction to International Studies and at least four other courses within the major with grades of B or better.
• Provide letters of recommendation from two UNF faculty members.
• Meet with the director of the Graduate Certificate in TESOL, before applying.

Acceptance into this accelerated path does not guarantee a student’s eventual admission into the graduate certificate program. Rather, the student must do both of the following:

• Earn a grade of B or better in all graduate courses taken while an undergraduate.
• Apply for admission into the Graduate Certificate in TESOL program, upon completion of the requirements of the B.A. in International Studies.

Students in the accelerated path are considered for acceptance through a simplified application process for which standardized test scores are not required.

For more information, contact the TESOL director or the director of International Studies.

This language was approved by the UNF Faculty Association in December 2019, with minor updates made in January 2021.