Fast Track Master’s Programs
Fast Track offers an accelerated pathway to get a master’s degree. Specifically, it allows an undergraduate student to take up to 15 semester credit hours of approved graduate level courses in their senior year to use toward completion of both bachelor’s and master’s degrees.
Who should seriously consider Fast Track?
Undergraduate students with strong academic record who intend to pursue master’s studies to enhance their career prospects.
What are the minimum eligibility requirements?
A student must have completed:
- 90 or more semester credit hours with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.00; and
- 36 or more semester credit hours of the core curriculum requirements.
Some programs have additional requirements (see below).
What are the available Fast Track options?
What are the additional requirements, if any?
| If you intend to Fast Track into | You must additionally have |
|---|---|
| MS in Bioinformatics and Computational Biology | A cumulative GPA of at least 3.20 in all mathematics and statistics courses |
| MS in Biotechnology | A cumulative GPA of at least 3.20 and completed BIOL 2311, BIOL 2312, and BIOL 2281; or equivalent courses. |
| MS in Data Science and Statistics | A cumulative GPA of at least 3.20 in all mathematics and statistics courses |
| MS in Mathematics | A cumulative GPA of at least 3.20 in all mathematics and statistics courses |
| MS in Molecular and Cell Biology | A cumulative GPA of at least 3.20 and completed BIOL 2311, BIOL 2312, and BIOL 2281; or equivalent courses. |
| MS in Physics | A cumulative GPA of at least 3.20 in a minimum of 30 semester credit hours of upper-division courses that include PHYS 3411, PHYS 3312, PHYS 3330, PHYS 3416, PHYS 4301, and PHYS 4311 |
Which graduate courses will replace which undergraduate courses?
Below are sample course replacement plans for various MS programs. For additional possibilities, please consult with the Graduate Faculty Advisor of the intended MS program.
Is there financial support for pursuing Fast Track?
If you are a U.S. citizen or permanent resident and meet the other eligibility criteria, you may apply for NSM Fast Track Fellowship, which awards up to $1,500 on a competitive basis, by the deadline as posted below. Students already enrolled in Fast Track or who have previously taken a graduate course in NSM are not eligible.
What are the next steps?
- Review the UT Dallas Fast Track policy
- Determine which Fast Track Program you would like to pursue.
- Contact the Graduate Faculty Advisor of the intended MS program to discuss the details of your program, course work, and the questions you may have, ideally during your junior year.
- Obtain the Fast Track Program Admission Application from your NSM Undergraduate Academic Advisor
- Obtain the required signatures on the Fast Track Program Admission Application paperwork and submit the completed paperwork to your NSM Undergraduate Academic Advisor by the deadline as posted below.
What are the deadlines?
| If you intend to be admitted from the upcoming | The deadline to apply for admission is | The deadline to apply for fellowship is | The deadline to register for graduate courses is |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall Term | May 1 | May 1 | Monday before the first day of class |
| Spring Term | December 1 | December 1 | Monday before the first day of class |
Fast Track admission is not offered for the summer term.
Whom to contact for additional questions?
| If the questions are about | Contact your |
|---|---|
| Beginning the Fast Track process | NSM Academic Advisor |
| Courses involved in the Fast Track program | Undergraduate Faculty Advisor or the Graduate Faculty Advisor of the intended MS program |