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Accelerate into Master's (AIM)

Accelerate into Master's (AIM)

The Accelerate Into Master’s (AIM) program allows undergraduate students who qualify to complete graduate-level courses that fulfill requirements for both their undergraduate program and a future master’s program. AIM enables students to shorten the time required to complete a master’s degree once they have graduated from their undergraduate program.

AIM courses are (5000-level) graduate courses* that also meet requirements for completion of an undergraduate degree. In course-based programs, students pay tuition for AIM courses at the undergraduate rate. For Tempo Learning® AIM courses are included in the program’s subscription cost.

AIM participation requirements are designed to help students successfully complete a bachelor’s degree and meet admissions requirements for a master’s degree. Taking AIM courses does not guarantee admission into a master’s program. Students should always speak to their academic advisor when they have questions about admissions or degree completion requirements.

Requirements

1. To be eligible to begin AIM courses, students must:

a. Have an overall GPA equal to that required for admission to the associated master’s degree.* BS AIM track students must maintain a 2.5 GPA and have a transfer GPA of at least 2.5 (if transferring credits).

b. Have completed core requirements for their bachelor’s program. (Individual programs may determine additional prerequisites.)

c. Be in good financial standing.

d. Not have any incompletes.

2. While participating in AIM, students must:

a. Earn a grade of “B” or better in each AIM course to have that course applied to the master’s program. Students who do not earn a “B” in an AIM course may retake it once to raise their grade so it can be applied to the master’s.

b. Earn a grade of “C” or better in each AIM course in order to continue taking 5000-level courses. AIM courses completed with a grade of “C” will satisfy undergraduate degree requirements but not master’s degree requirements. Later admission to the master’s program requires that the student must take that course as a master’s student. Students who do not pass an AIM course may retake it once; they must earn a grade of “C” or better the second time in order to stay in the AIM track program.

c. Maintain the undergraduate GPA expected for admission to the associated master’s program.

3. Upon completion of the undergraduate program requirements, students should file an Intent to Graduate Form.

4. Upon admission to the master’s program, all AIM graduate courses completed with a “B” or better are applied to graduate program. AIM courses completed with a grade below “B” must be retaken as part of the master’s program. The graduate GPA is calculated based only on those graduate courses taken as a graduate student.

Students who successfully complete AIM courses are not required to pursue the master’s degree and/or may defer enrollment to a future date. Transfer of credit policies, including those related to expiration, would apply. Institutional coursework expires within 10 years unless otherwise notated by the individual academic unit or program.

Individual programs may determine the specific eligible AIM courses and some programs may limit the number of courses available. AIM coursework should not account for more than 50% of the credits needed for master’s degree completion. Additional limitations may apply for courses taken towards a graduate certificate as part of a master’s program. Practicum or Capstone requirements for the master’s program are not eligible to be satisfied by AIM coursework.

Undergraduate students may complete AIM courses to fulfill elective credits, as course substitutions approved by the program director, or they may elect a second concentration within their program of study that is designed for AIM completion. Students are encouraged to consult with their Student Success Advisor (if in the course-based learning format) or their Academic Coaching (if in the Tempo Learning® format) on the most appropriate plan for their program and academic goals, such as their future master’s program and time to completion.

*Note: Graduate students cannot register for AIM courses.

Note on Endorsement, Licensure, or Certification

This program does not lead to an endorsement, certification, or licensure. Walden makes no representation, warranty, guarantee, or commitment that successful completion of this program or coursework for graduate credit within this program will permit a graduate to obtain state certification or licensure.

The graduate degree program and coursework within the program in which you are enrolling may be accepted by many states toward upgrading or renewing a license or obtaining a salary increase (depending on state or district policy). Teachers are advised to contact their individual school districts as to whether this program may qualify for salary advancement. Walden enrollment specialists can provide guidance on program requirements; however, it remains the individual’s responsibility to understand and comply with all state and school district requirements.

The Richard W. Riley College of Education and Human Sciences

MS in Health Education and Promotion

Choose up to four courses.

Notes: These courses are 11 weeks in length.

HLTH 5005 MUST be taken first.

HLTH 5005, HLTH 5110, and HLTH 5205 must be taken before HLTH 5412.

  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.
  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.
  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.

MS in Developmental Psychology

Students may select up to four of these courses. Individual course prerequisites apply.

Note: These courses are 11 weeks in length.

MS in Psychology

Students may select up to five courses for the listed specializations. Individual course prerequisites apply.

Note: These courses are 11 weeks in length.

Applied Psychology

  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.
  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.

Digital Psychology

  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.
  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.
  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.
  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.

Educational Psychology

  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.
  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.

General Psychology

  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.

Health Psychology

  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.
  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.

Social Psychology

  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.
  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.

Self-Designed

  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.

College of Health Sciences and Public Policy

Master of Public Administration (MPA)

Students may select up to five of these courses. Individual course prerequisites apply.

Note: These courses are 11 weeks in length.

  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.

MS in Nonprofit Management and Leadership

Students may select up to five of these courses. Individual course prerequisites apply.

Note: These courses are 11 weeks in length.

College of Management and Human Potential

Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA)

Students may select any or all of these courses. Individual course prerequisites apply.

Notes: These courses are 11 weeks in length.

Students can take no more than two master’s-level courses per term.

Students must complete all general education and core requirements before beginning AIM courses.

  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.

MS in Industrial and Organizational (I/O) Psychology

Students may select up to five courses for the listed specializations. Individual course prerequisites apply.

Note: These courses are 11 weeks in length.

General Practice

  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.
  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.
  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.

Consulting Psychology

  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.
  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.
  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.

Evidence-Based Coaching

  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.
  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.

Human Resource Management

  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.
  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.

International Business

  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.
  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.
  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.

Self-Designed

  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.
  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.

MS in Information Technology

Students may select any or all of these courses. Individual course prerequisites apply.

Note: These courses are 11 weeks in length.

College of Nursing

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

Note: These courses are 11 weeks in length.

Students must be admitted to the RN-BSN-MSN track to complete these AIM courses.

College of Psychology and Community Services

MS in  Forensic Psychology

Students may select up to five of these courses. Individual course prerequisites apply.

Note: These courses are 11 weeks in length.

  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.
  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.

MS in Human Services

Students may select up to four of these courses. Individual prerequisites apply.

Note: These courses are 11 weeks in length.

  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.
  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.
  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.
  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.

MS in Criminal Justice

Students may select any or all of these courses. Individual course prerequisites apply.

Note: These courses are 11 weeks in length.

MS in Criminal Justice Leadership and Executive Management

Students may select any or all of these courses. Individual course prerequisites apply.

Note: These courses are 11 weeks in length.

College of Social and Behavioral Health

MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling

These courses are open only to students in the BS in Human Services and BS in Psychology programs. Students may select up to five of these courses. Individual course prerequisites apply

Note: These courses are 10 weeks in length.

These courses must be taken in the order listed. HUMN 5001 must be taken with HUMN 5100.

  • Students may take this a non-degree course.
  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.
  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.
  • Students may take this a non-degree course.
  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.
  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.

Note: These courses must be taken in the order listed. BS in Psychology: PSYC 5001 must be taken with PSYC 5102.

  • Students may take this a non-degree course.
  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.
  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.
  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.
  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.