What is the Bachelor's to Master's Program and How Can I Be Accepted?

July 23, 2025 Donald Cucuzzella
back of womans head wearing grad cap

Accelerate Your Education: The Bachelor's to Master's (BTM) Advantage

For many students, the pursuit of a bachelor’s degree is stressful enough that the thought of starting a master’s degree immediately after graduation seems impossible.

But what if you could start on a master’s degree and take up to 12 graduate credits that would count towards both degrees? Well then, that changes everything!

I get a lot of complex and detailed questions from students about the Bachelor’s to Master’s Program. Some students are interested in pursuing a master's degree because their job requires it, or they want to change careers. But ultimately, everyone who applies to the program wants to save time and money. They just don’t know how to start.

What is the Bachelor’s to Master’s (BTM) Program?

The Bachelor’s to Master’s Program at Thomas Edison State University allows you, as an undergraduate student, to earn up to 12 graduate credits (that’s four courses!) that will apply to both your bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree at the University at the same time.

  • Earn Graduate Credits Early: As an undergraduate at TESU, you can take up to 12 graduate credits (equal to four courses) that count towards both your bachelor's and a future master's degree at the University.
  • Pay Less for More: You'll pay the lower undergraduate tuition rate for these graduate-level courses, saving you money.
  • Accelerate Your Master's: Get a significant head start — up to four courses — on your master's degree while still completing your bachelor's.

How Do I Know if I am Eligible?

To be eligible for the program, you must be an undergraduate student with at least 60 undergraduate credits toward a bachelor's degree at the University and a minimum GPA of 3.0 from TESU coursework. If this sounds like you, speak to your academic advisor and fill out the Bachelor's to Master's Application form. The dean of your degree program will evaluate your application and make a decision.

If accepted, you are conditionally admitted into the graduate program that aligns with your bachelor’s degree. However, you cannot take your first graduate course at the undergraduate tuition rate until you have completed 90 credits at the University with an overall GPA of 3.0 or above. You must also remain at a 3.0+ GPA throughout your courses in the BTM program.

How Does it Work?

Your ability to take advantage of the program depends on the courses you have already completed and applied to your degree. Obviously, you can’t take any graduate course you want. You must have room in your bachelor’s degree for these graduate credits, either as a free elective (any college credit will meet this requirement) or, in some cases, these courses can be used in your area of study. An academic advisor can assist you with reviewing your TESU evaluation, especially if you transferred credits to TESU.

For example, if you are finishing your bachelor's degree in technical studies and interested in a master's degree in science, the four courses you may want to take are:

  • APS-5100: Project Management for Technology (3 credits)
  • APS-6020: Managing People in Technology Based Organizations (3 credits)
  • APS-6100: Cost Estimation and Financial Management for Engineers and Technologists (3 credits)
  • APS-6010: Technology Innovation and Commercialization (3 credits)

In this case, these courses can be used in the Technical Studies area of the degree as free electives.

How Can I Apply and Get In?

As always, it’s critical that you talk to your academic advisor to make sure you can meet all the requirements of your degree before applying to the Bachelor’s to Master’s Program.

If you are a current student, contact the Office of Academic Advising at 609-777-5696 or academicadvising@tesu.edu to determine your eligibility for the program. (HINT: Include your current degree program in the subject line of your email so the advising office can quickly spot your message.)

If you are an applicant or a prospective student, contact the Office of Admissions and Enrollment Services at 609-777-5696 or admissions@tesu.edu.

We all have our reasons why we want to pursue a graduate degree, but a 12-credit head start can make all the difference in that decision. The choice is yours!

Written by Donald Cucuzzella

Donald Cucuzzella is the assistant dean of the School of Applied Science and Technology, specializing in the University’s aviation and allied health programs. Between helping students figure out how professional certifications can apply as college credit and what it’s like taking online courses, his goal is to help students feel comfortable coming back to college.