Dear Students, 

I’m writing today to share some exciting updates to our Accelerated Master’s Program (AMP). The university has updated AMP to provide additional flexibility and seamlessness to graduation for participants in the program. 

As many of you may know, AMP is Illinois Tech’s unique academic program that allows you to earn both your bachelor’s and master’s degrees in as few as five years. Currently, students can choose from two AMP pathways: co-terminal, which is intended for students who are earlier in their undergraduate years and want to get a jumpstart on their graduate coursework, and advanced standing, which is intended for students who are near the end of their undergraduate years as well as for alumni. The below updates to the AMP program pertain to the co-terminal program only; the advanced standing option remains the same. 

What’s New: Plus One 

The co-terminal program will now be called Plus One to better reflect the scope of the offering. Rather than combining the bachelor’s and master’s coursework over a period of five or more years, students will complete the program in two more clearly defined phases: 

Undergraduate Phase 

• Complete all undergraduate degree requirements within the standard timeframe (typically four years, or five years for programs with a standard five-year curriculum).  
• During this period, enroll in approved master’s-level coursework. 
• Qualified undergraduate students may apply up to 12 approved credit hours of graduate-level coursework toward both their undergraduate and master’s degree requirements, subject to program approval. These credits must meet all graduate-level standards, with a minimum of 3 credits taken at the 500 level or above, and must comply with all institutional and program-specific policies.  
• Apply for graduation and receive a bachelor’s degree.  

Financial Aid and Scholarships (Undergraduate Phase) 

• Undergraduate students will remain eligible for federal and state financial aid, including Pell Grants for eligible students, as well as any institutional scholarships awarded. 
• All federal and state funds are subject to specific guidelines based on your enrollment, so please confirm with the Office of Financial Aid regarding your individual eligibility.  
• Graduate-level courses taken during this phase will be assessed at undergraduate tuition rates. 

Graduate Phase 

• Complete the remaining requirements for the master’s degree; these courses will apply solely to the graduate degree. 
• Upon transition to graduate student status, courses will be subject to graduate tuition and financial aid policies. 
• Apply for graduation and receive a master’s degree.  

Financial Aid and Scholarships (Graduate Phase) 

• By allowing up to 12 shared graduate credits, the Plus One model provides students with an estimated tuition savings of approximately $1,925 per credit—equating to up to $23,000 in total savings—thereby reducing the overall cost of a typical 30-credit master’s degree program from approximately $57,750 to about $34,650, representing an approximate 40% reduction in total program cost. 
• Students may also be eligible to receive an additional merit scholarship of up to 15% of tuition per credit, resulting in additional savings of up to approximately $5,000 across the remaining credits required to complete the program.  
• Pell-eligible students may be considered for additional access-focused institutional support, where available, to further enhance affordability. 
• Students may qualify for federal graduate financial aid during this phase; the Office of Financial Aid will assist students in understanding eligibility. 

What’s Staying the Same 

Plus One maintains the core benefits of the co-terminal program, which include:  

• The opportunity to earn both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree on an accelerated timeline, typically within five years.
• Continued support for flexible pairing of undergraduate and graduate degrees through AMP, in consultation with academic advise
• The ability to apply a limited number of approved graduate-level credits toward both undergraduate and graduate degree requirements, subject to program guidelines.
• Alignment with standard graduate expectations, with students held to the same master’s degree requirements as those admitted through traditional graduate pathways.

Benefits of Plus One 

Plus One offers you several advantages over the current pathway. 

Academic Experience and Flexibility 

• Students will complete their bachelor’s degrees on schedule alongside their peers and be able to participate in Commencement after their fourth (or fifth) undergraduate year, rather than waiting until completion of the graduate program.  
• Greater flexibility in degree pairings allow students to combine a wide range of bachelor’s and master’s programs, provided prerequisite requirements are met.  
• The program offers a clearer and more consistent progression from undergraduate to graduate study, providing greater transparency in academic status throughout the program.  
• In many programs, there is the opportunity to complete a substantial portion of master’s-level requirements during the undergraduate phase, creating a more efficient pathway to degree completion.  

Financial Aid and Cost Advantages 

• A simplified administration of financial aid due to the more clearly defined academic status can reduce potential delays in processing and disbursement.
• A significant overall financial benefit—including up to approximately $23,000 in tuition savings through shared credits, plus up to $5,000 in additional merit-based scholarship support—substantially reduces the total cost of the master’s degree. 

Career and Outcomes Advantage 

• The ability for students to leverage their bachelor’s degree credential while completing the master’s program can support employment opportunities.  
• Illinois Tech outcomes data show that graduates with a master’s degree earn starting salaries at least $10,000 higher than those with only a bachelor’s degree, highlighting the strong return on investment of the Plus One pathway. 

Student Experience and Administration 

• The program offers a more streamlined and structured framework for academic advising, degree planning, and overall program administration.  
• The program offers a streamlined and more efficient application and admissions process, reducing complexity and improving the student experience.

What’s Next 

If you’re in the current AMP co-terminal pathway or thinking about enrolling, please see below for a better understanding of what to expect with the launch of Plus One. This new pathway will be implemented at the end of this semester, with updated procedures taking effect on May 16, 2026. 

• Students who have previously been admitted to the co-terminal program will remain eligible to continue under the existing co-terminal program structure. 
• Current Illinois Tech students who are not enrolled in the co-terminal program may apply to the Plus One pathway. We anticipate the application will be available by April 30, 2026. 

Thank you for learning more about the new Plus One program. Please feel free to reach out to your academic adviser or the Office of Academic Affairs if you have any questions.  

All best wishes for a great remainder of the semester. 

Sincerely, 

Elizabeth Hudson
Provost, Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs, and Chief Academic Officer 

 Jeff Wereszczynski
Vice Provost for Academic Affairs