Get a jump start on your master’s degree!
The Fast Track program is designed to enable students to earn their M.S., MBA, MAcc, PSM, or M.A. degree in a short period of time. A junior or senior who opts for the fast-track program may take six hours of 5,000- or 6,000-level graduate coursework prior to admission to the Tennessee Tech graduate degree program. Up to six hours of this graduate coursework, normally taken during the student’s senior year, may be used to satisfy both undergraduate and graduate degree requirements.
These courses must be taken at Tennessee Tech University and must be approved as appropriate substitutions in the undergraduate curriculum as senior electives. The admissions requirements differ by department but include the following:
- Subject to approval by the student's advisor (graduate or undergraduate)
- Subject to approval by the Fast Track department's chair and Fast Track college's dean
- Meet the department Fast Track GPA requirements
- Meet class level standing as required by the department (junior versus senior standing)
- Any course prerequisites defined by the department
- For more information on “jump-starting” your Master’s degree, visit the department website below or contact Graduate Studies.
Your academic advisor (undergraduate or graduate) will fill out the Fast-Track form.
Fast Track Program Acceptance and Course Credit Form Use these forms if the student is entering the Fast Track program for the first time. The forms should be submitted by the student's advisor. The department chair and dean of the Fast Track program (which may differ from the student's undergraduate department chair and dean) should sign the forms. (Review GPA requirements.)
Fast Track Course Credit Form Use this form if the student is taking an additional Fast Track course. The form should be submitted by the student's advisor. The department chair of the Fast Track program (which may differ from the student's undergraduate department chair) should sign the form.
Notes:
- Participation in the Fast Track program does not guarantee admission into the Master’s degree program. Students must apply for and be admitted to the Graduate College before course credit may be used towards fulfillment of a graduate degree.
- Undergraduate Fast Track courses must be manually transferred by the College of Graduate Studies before they will apply to a graduate record. The College of Graduate studies processes any needed Fast Track transfers near the beginning of each semester for students listed on enrollment and new admissions reports.
- For a Fast Track course to be transferred to a student's graduate record, the student
must earn an A or B in the Fast Track course.
Fast Track Approved Departments
Fast Track FAQs
- Which graduate programs can I Fast Track?
Departments with approved Fast-Track programs include:
- Business Administration
- Chemical Engineering
- Chemistry
- Civil and Environmental Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Professional Science - Environmental Informatics
- Exercise Science, Physical Education and Wellness
- Curriculum and Instruction
- Electrical and Computer Engineering
- English
- Mathematics
- Counseling and Psychology
- Computer Science
- Master of Professional Studies
- How much does it cost to take each course?
Fast Track is offered to Undergraduate students, so you will be charged Undergraduate tuition for each course unless you enroll in TN eCampus, College of Business Online MBA or MAcc, College of Nursing MSN or DNP, or the Accelerated Masters of Public Safety programs. Please visit the Bursar page for additional fee information.
- What do I need in order to apply?
- Meet with your current advisor or a graduate advisor in your Fast Track program's department to determine eligibility
- New Fast Track students will fill out the digital Fast Track Program Acceptance form + Course Credit Formfound on the Graduate Studies Online Forms page
- The form will electronically route through your advisor and the department and final approval will take place with the College of Graduate Studies. Once approved by the College of Graduate Studies, the Registrar will receive the form and add to your registration record.
- What are the requirements for applying to each Fast Track program?
Fast Track Program Requirements The Fast Track B.S. to M.S./M.A. Program is open to all undergraduate students who meet the following criteria for their respective programs: Program # Hours/Standing GPA Business Administration 90 hours 3.2 Chemistry Junior 2.8/3.0 Chemical Engineering Junior 3.25 Civil & Environmental Engineering Junior 3.25/3.5 Counseling & Psychology Senior 3.0 Computer Science Junior or Senior 3.25/3.5 Curriculum & Instruction 90 Hours 3.25 Electrical & Computer Engineering Senior 3.25 English 90 Hours 3.25/3.5 Mathematics Senior 3.25 Mechanical Engineering Junior or Senior 3.25 Professional Science Masters
Environmental InformaticsJunior or Senior 3.0 Exercise Science, Physical Education, Wellness 90 Hours 3.25 Master of Professional Studies - all majors 90 Hours 3.0 - Do I still need to apply for graduate admission, or am I automatically accepted into
Graduate School if I am in the Fast-Track Program?
You still need to apply for Graduate School admission.
- Are Graduate students eligible to apply for the Fast-Track program?
No, Fast Track is only available to Tennessee Tech Undergraduate students.
- Do I still need to take admissions tests in order to be accepted into a Graduate program?
You are still required to complete admission requirements for your graduate program. There are several programs that waive the admissions test requirements for students in the Fast Track program. See your department website for detailed information.
- What is the deadline for applying to the Fast-Track program?
Check with your advisor to determine department specific deadlines. It is recommended that you apply before your Junior or Senior year.
- What do I need to do if I decide to leave Tennessee Tech after graduation?
You are not obligated to apply for graduate admission at Tennessee Tech, and no further steps are required.
- If I decide to attend a graduate program somewhere other than Tennessee Tech, can
I transfer these course credits?
Currently, Fast Track course credits are only applicable to Tennessee Tech’s Graduate programs.
- I took courses in the Fast Track program, but I did not pass. Will they still count?
Graduate students are required to maintain a 3.0 in all graduate coursework, so only Fast Track courses with an A or B grade can be transferred to a graduate record. If you failed the graduate Fast Track course, it will not transfer into your future graduate program.
- If I decide to enter graduate school, will I be able to have more than three 5000
level courses on my graduate degree program of study?
No, only three 5000-level courses are authorized on the program of study.
