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Accelerated Masters Programs (AMPs)

The University of Kentucky’s Accelerated Master’s Pathways (AMP) program is an exciting opportunity for highly motivated students to earn both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in just five years. By allowing qualified students to begin graduate coursework during their undergraduate studies, AMP helps you make the most of your time on campus and increase the return on your educational investment. Students may earn up to 12 hours of graduate-level credit that count toward both degrees.

Eligibility Criteria:

  • Have a 3.0 or higher overall GPA at UK
  • Have completed 60-105 credit hours
  • Declare a major (not exploratory or pre-major)
  • Identify a specific area of interest for graduate study
  • Meet with your academic advisor to discuss your goals
  • Complete the AMP Intent Form and receive advisor approval

Important Information

  • The time to complete both degrees may vary based on your program and academic plan

  • Your AMP Intent Form must be approved in advance by your advisor for you to receive graduate credit
  • AMP can be applied to online graduate programs in some cases
  • If you are considering a Ph.D. in the future, ask whether your AMP credits can apply toward that program
  • Only graduate programs that accept AMP credits will allow them to count – graduate advising is strongly encouraged
  • Plan carefully: once you enroll in a course for AMP credit, it will count toward your 12-credit limit

Eligible Accelerated Master’s Pathways Utilizing a Political Science Major or Minor

  • Master’s in Diplomacy and International Commerce
  • Master’s in Education – Secondary Education
  • Master’s in Educational Leadership
  • Master’s in Educational Research Methods and Policy Studies
  • Master’s in Geography
  • Master’s in German
  • Master’s in Higher Education
  • Master’s in History
  • Master’s in Public Administration
  • Master’s in Public Financial Management

AMP is an excellent way to deepen your knowledge, accelerate your academic journey, and save both time and tuition. If you’re interested in this opportunity, start the conversation early with your advisor to explore how AMP can fit into your academic and professional goals, and visit the Accelerated Master’s Pathway Page.

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Department of Political Science Undergraduate Handbook Copyright © 2025 by Bridgett King; Shelby Turner; and Priscila Llamosa is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License, except where otherwise noted.

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