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Concurrent Enrollment Program

Get a head start on graduate school!

MS Biology, MS Molecular Science and Nanotechnology

The Concurrent Enrollment Program is an opportunity for current undergraduates to get a head start on graduate school. If you are a student currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science (BS) or Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in Biology, Environmental Science, Animal Science, Forestry or related field and want to continue your education towards a graduate or professional degree program – or are already participating in or want the opportunity to participate in research on campus – the Concurrent Enrollment Program may be right for you!

Frequently asked questions

What is the Concurrent Enrollment Program?

The Concurrent Enrollment Program allows students currently enrolled as undergraduates at Louisiana Tech or other programs in their BS/BA degree to pursue a Master of Science (MS) degree at the same time. The MS degree can be thesis (research) or non-thesis (coursework only) track.

What are the Benefits?

  • Finish your MS degree faster. Students take graduate and undergraduate classes at the same time, which ultimately reduces the time it takes to complete the MS degree after students graduate with their BS/BA degree. In the Accelerated Baccalaureate Program, which is part of the Concurrent Enrollment Program, students can double count graduate courses toward graduate and undergraduate degrees!
  •  Maximize financial aid. TOPs and potentially other undergraduate scholarships can be applied to graduate level courses, which can reduce the total cost of the MS degree. For more information contact Financial Aid.
  • No need to take the GRE. Normally, students applying to the MS programs in Biology and Molecular Science and Nanotechnology (MSNT) at Louisiana Tech are required to take the GRE (Graduate Record Examinations), which is a standardized test used in admission decisions. This saves time and money that would have been spent studying for and taking the exam.

Who can apply?

If you are a student who:

  • Is a graduating senior currently enrolled in a regionally accredited institution (referred to as home institution from this point forward)
  •  Has a minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.20 on all undergraduate work attempted.
  •  Is within 30 semester credit hours of completing BS/BA degree requirements

you are eligible to apply.

What are the requirements and rules of the program?

  •  The student retains undergraduate status at the home institution until awarded their BS/BA degree
  •  While in the Concurrent Enrollment Program, students must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 and remain in good academic standing at the home institution.
  • Students must enroll in at least one graduate course (500 level or above) in the admitted term
  •  Student can only have one consecutive quarter not enrolled in graduate courses (except Summer quarter unless admitted term is Summer). If a student is not enrolled in graduate courses for more than one quarter (except Summer quarter unless admitted term is Summer), they will need to reapply for re-admission to Concurrent Enrollment Program.
  • Students cannot earn more than 12 graduate credit hours while in the program.
  • Students typically enroll in three graduate credit hours per term and cannot earn more than six graduate credit hours per term.
    • Written approval of the student’s Dean at their home institution and Louisiana Tech’s Dean of the Graduate School is needed to enroll in six graduate credit hours in a single term.
  • Courses taken for graduate credit can be used to satisfy undergraduate requirements with approval of the undergraduate degree program administrators for up to 12 hours in the Accelerated Baccalaureate Program.
  •  Students are limited to four consecutive terms (excluding Summer) in the Concurrent Enrollment program.
  •  Non-Louisiana Tech Students are required to submit a letter from the Dean of their home institution each quarter certifying the student is continuing to make satisfactory progress towards BS/BA degree.

How do I apply?

Students who meet the above criteria as determined by the University of Louisiana System must:

  • Attain written approval of Louisiana Tech University’s College of Applied and Natural Sciences college graduate director/coordinator, academic dean, Dean of the graduate School and International Student Office if applicable.
  • Complete an application for concurrent admission through Louisiana Tech’s Graduate School website (along with payment of the application fee).

What is required in the application?

  • At least two letters of reference from faculty members in the department where the student is currently pursuing their undergraduate degree.
  • Official transcripts from home institution (and upon competition of BS degree).
  • A graduate concurrent application and processing fee
  • Letter from the student’s Dean at the home institution certifying that the applicant:
    • is within 30 hours of completing the requirements for the BS/BA degree, and
    • has a cumulative GPA of 3.2 or higher in all undergraduate work pursued thus far.

What happens after I graduate with my BS/BA?

After earning your BS/BA (Congratulations!), you must apply to the graduate school for admission into the MS degree program. The MS degree program is the actual master’s degree program and is separate from the Concurrent Enrollment Program, which is why you will need to apply to the graduate school. The application fee for the graduate school will be waived. Students who do not apply to the master’s degree program in which they were Concurrently Enrolled will be subject to normal admission guidelines of the other graduate program, which may include GRE scores, application fees, etc.

Interested or know someone who might be?

If you are interested in the Concurrent Enrollment Program, please reach out to us with any questions. Contact information is listed below. We’ve included all this information on a card that can be easily downloaded and shared.

Who do I contact for more information?

  • For more information on the MS in Biology degree program contact Dr. Bill Campbell (campbell@latech.edu), Director, School of Biological Sciences
  • For more information on the MS in MSNT degree program contact Dr. Gergana Nestorova (ggnestor@latech.edu), Director, Molecular Science and Nanotechnology
  • For general information about the Graduate School and Concurrent Enrollment Program visit the Graduate School webpage.