Pre-reqs programs that give you a spot in their Grad program?

[princessmommy25]

I read constantly on different school websites that taking their pre-reqs or leveling courses does NOT give a spot in their graduate program….and you have to apply separately. Are there any programs out there that do give you spot? Like if I take their pre-reqs (I'm out of field) I'm guaranteed a spot in their Masters program (obviously if I keep good grades, etc.).

 

Just wondering if those exist...

[litesneeze]

I have never of a graduate program which guarantees a seat for students who complete their own pre-reqs nor do I believe that such a rule exists. I do believe, however, that knowing the department faculty and getting a good recommendation from them has some influence in some programs. On the other hand, if one of your recommenders is on the admissions board, that individual will not look at your profile to eliminate bias.

[JFFA]

I don't think they exist, but could be wrong. I do know that while some programs will not automatically accept you nor even give you significant advantage, they do, in a sense, "like" their own students. For example, USU always invites its undergrad comd students with a high average to apply in a mass email they send out automatically to students with a particular GPA cut off (around 3.5 I think). This guarantees nothing (students who are invited can be rejected, think of it more as a marketing/advertising thing), but does show that they are trying to recruit first pick of the top of their top students (they want their star students to go to their grad school as opposed to other grad schools). But of course, you have to be a strong applicant as with any other program. I think it also shows they have confidence in their own program and feel like they might be able to better evaluate course work on transcripts in the sense that they know exactly what a grade in their class means as opposed to an unknown school. I got invited to apply, interviewed, accepted, and offered essential tuition remission in exchange for some work by USU and attended their for my second bachelors. So in summary, no, I don't know of any schools which do this, but you may gain some slight advantage at some schools if you attend their undergrad classes and are an outstanding student not because of pure favoritism, but because the committee feels comfortable with evaluating your credentials so you can be more confident at that school than with others that your application will be give the correct value and consideration it deserves.    

[CBG321]

Good news they do exist!  They are few and far between and their application cycle is very competitive due to there being only a small amount.  Bad news I don't know them all by name I just know there are some out there.  They are more often referred to as extended Master's programs.  The extended bit is your leveling coursework.  San Diego State University used to have one but they got rid of it unfortunately due to costs.  San Jose State University might have one. There are definitely a few in other states as well.  I'd have to double check for names!  Umm if I can find the resource I used to have I will send it your way.  They do exist though

 

Google the term "extended Master's Programs" to find out more places that is the key terminology.  Also read the fine print as i've gone a different route Idk the details.  I am positive you'd have to maintain a good GPA but other than that idk what the criteria is.

 

This is San Jose's: http://www.sjsu.edu/cds/Programs/extended_ma/

Edited June 1, 2015 by CBG321

[kristenflowers]

Loma Linda university! I definitely sought out a school that accepts you automatically, everything else is just jumping through hoops with no guarantee. I was just accepted into the "transitional masters program" so it's definitely possible

[Jolie717]

CSUN (Cal State University Northridge) has an online post-bacc / leveling type program that offers automatic acceptance to the Masters program provided you maintain a 4.0 GPA in all of the classes.

http://tsengcollege.csun.edu/programs/cdsp

[JFFA]

Looks like I was wrong, sorry, but yay for you! Just to clarify. Aside from the prereq programs mentioned above, there are many programs that accept students to their masters program with no background but it is indeed an extended program (usually 3 or more years). However, I'm not sure this is what you were thinking of. If you apply and are accepted to these programs, you will have been accepted to a masters program and are a matriculated graduate student while taking your leveling courses, so your not really "guaranteed a spot," you are simple already in the masters program from the start. I think this route, like any, has some great advantages and some downsides. Some people think it is easier to get into three year extended masters programs, some think it is harder. It probably depends on each program and your situation (for example, at Montclair State University (NJ), statistic wise, it is easier to get into its three year extended program-mentioned at open house). Just a note, in terms of money, the extended masters program will probably (but maybe not) cost more because you will usually be charged graduate level tuition for your leveling classes. There are many of these extended masters programs out there, and some are not advertised well so ask each school if they have one even if it is not posted on their website/literature if it's something you are interested it. If you do apply, it will be just like any graduate school application process. These three year programs are far more common than programs with leveling classes were you get a postbacc/certificate/take as a non degree seeking student who  will guarantee you a spot, but as people pointed out above, they do seem to exist! 

[kburton2]

Eastern Michigan University and Andrew's University. I am a Psychology major so I applied to these two programs because they are extended master's programs. Instead of it taking me two years to receive my MA in SLP it will take me three.  I am attending EMU's program and for my "leveling courses" I am being charged undergraduate credit hour tuition. 

 

 

Also, look into the University of Kentucky, Syracuse, Vanderbilt, and Ball State. I think that they may have the three years leveling Master programs as well. 

[hopefulslp2b]

Nmsu also offers this. You apply as if applying for grad school as a "leveling student" which means you will complete a year of pre reqs but you won't have to reapply because you are already guaranteed a spot in the program if you finish all all pre reqs with a great of B or higher.