Are You a Current Undergraduate Student Preparing for Graduate Studies?
Current undergraduate students at UNO are our greatest asset and the Office of Graduate Studies partners with a variety of offices across campus to provide support for those students who are considering their options for graduate study well before completing their bachelor’s degree.
Fast Track Program at UNO
The Fast Track program at UNO offers highly qualified and motivated undergraduate students the opportunity to complete a master’s degree along with their bachelor’s degree in an accelerated time frame. With Fast Track students may count up to nine (9) graduate credit hours towards the completion of both their undergraduate program and master’s degree program (graduate certificates not eligible).
The undergraduate student must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 (some programs may have higher requirements) and have completed no less than 60 credit hours. Only certain undergraduate programs are eligible, and students must work with their undergraduate advisor to register for the graduate course(s).
The undergraduate student must complete the “Fast Track Approval Form” and secure the required department/school representative signature before presenting the form to the Office of Graduate Studies. This form, with all signatures, must be submitted to the Office of Graduate Studies prior to the start of the semester in which enrollment in the first graduate course is intended.
Graduate Studies Jump Start Scholarship
Want a jump start on graduate school? Take advantage of this opportunity to further your education and professional skills! The Office of Graduate Studies understands life circumstances and financial needs continue to shift during unprecedented times. In response, the Jump Start Scholarship helps UNO seniors achieve their academic and professional goals. This scholarship is a one-time award (not recurring) for UNO undergraduate students beginning or exploring a graduate degree program at UNO.
To be considered for the scholarship, undergraduate students should complete the online application form. After submission of the application form, the Office of Graduate Studies will provide a one-time application fee waiver code to enter near the end of the application. After admission to a graduate program and enrollment, the Office of Graduate Studies will coordinate the scholarship funds to be applied to your account.
Scholarship amounts are based only on the number of credit hours the new graduate student is enrolled in during the first semester at UNO: 3-5 credit hours ($750); 6-8 credit hours ($1,000); or 9+ credit hours ($1,500). The amount of the scholarship is the same for both Nebraska residents and non-residents and cannot be combined with graduate assistantships or the NU Employee Scholarship. The award is not eligible for undergraduate prerequisite or foundational (undergraduate or graduate) courses.
Undergraduate Students Taking Graduate Courses
An undergraduate junior (3.5 GPA) or senior (3.0 GPA) at UNO may take graduate courses (maximum of 12 credit hours) to begin their journey in graduate school. However, no credit earned under this provision may be used to fulfill any of the requirements for the undergraduate degree. The undergraduate student must complete the “Request to Register for Graduate Credit” form and secure the required department/school representative signature before presenting the form to the Office of Graduate Studies.
There is no guarantee that graduate credits taken as an undergraduate student will count toward a graduate program.