MNCL Concurrent Credit Program

Concurrent credit makes it possible for academically qualified and motivated students to complete graduate level courses that count toward their undergraduate degree while providing a head-start on a master’s degree from Drury’s College of Graduate Studies.  With appropriate advising and fulfillment of academic standards, students can complete a bachelor’s (typically four years) and fast-track completion of a master’s degree in one year. This opportunity allows students to save money and time in the pursuit of their educational goals. 

• Eligible undergraduate students who meet program requirements can enroll in nine hours of 600 level MNCL graduate courses (three courses) while still pursuing a bachelor’s degree. Students earn graduate and undergraduate credit simultaneously in each of these three courses. 
• Working in conjunction with the MNCL program director, students will complete and file a program of study with the Registrar’s Office.  The plan of study must be approved by the student’s advisor, the MNCL graduate program director, the dean of the School of Communication, Fine and Performing Arts, and the dean of the College of Graduate Studies. 
• In order to earn the master’s in one year, students will take the remaining hours of graduate coursework during the three or four semesters following conferral of the undergraduate degree (the typical sequence is summer, fall, and spring semesters).  

Bachelor of Arts, Arts Administration + Master of Nonprofit and Civic Leadership

Undergraduate students pursuing the Arts Administration major are eligible to apply for concurrent credit. Specified graduate coursework (see chart below) will apply to the curriculum requirements for either of these majors. 

Minimum academic requirements for early acceptance to a qualifying master’s program are: 

• Ninety (90) undergraduate credits, 45 of which must have been completed at Drury
• Two (2) upper-division courses in the major area of study
• Overall GPA of 3.5

Students who think they might be eligible for concurrent credit should speak with their advisor and/or Dr. Charles Taylor during their sophomore year to discuss course planning. Students must apply for the 4+1 master’s program after completing 75 hours of undergraduate coursework.

Students must meet GPA requirements to stay in the program. The ability to enroll in graduate courses for concurrent credit is contingent upon maintaining a 3.5 cumulative GPA in undergraduate courses and a 3.0 in graduate coursework. Any grade lower than a “C” in a graduate course represents failure in the course. A grade of “C” may be counted toward the graduate degree only when off set by sufficient grade points in other courses. If a student earns a C in a graduate course, he/she will be placed on probationary status. A student can be dismissed from the graduate program for failing to maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0. Students failing to remove themselves from scholastic probation within one semester in residence after being placed on scholastic probation may be dismissed.

Tuition for graduate-level courses taken while pursuing a bachelor’s degree will be charged as follows: 

• Day School: Students enrolled in 12-17 hours while taking graduate level coursework will be charged at the Day School tuition rate. In the event of an overload (more than 17 hours) or summer enrollment, graduate courses will be charged at the applicable graduate tuition rate. Reference the Tuition and Fees chart for rates.
• Drury GO: Courses taken at the graduate level are charged the applicable graduate tuition rate. Reference the Tuition and Fees chart for tuition rates.

Once formally admitted to the graduate program upon completion of the bachelor’s degree, students will pay the graduate tuition rate for their coursework. Students registering for concurrent credit must complete the Permission to Register for Concurrent Credit form. This form (available from the College of Graduate Studies – grad@drury.edu) must be completed and submitted to the Office of the Registrar by the “last day to enroll” as stated in the Academic Calendar for each semester in order to finalize registration.

1. Students who maintain an overall GPA of 3.5 should talk with their advisor or the MNCL program director in their freshman and/or sophomore year to express an interest in the concurrent credit opportunity. The goals of this discussion are to review eligibility requirements and the course rotation for undergraduate and graduate offerings. With early planning, eligible students will be in position to complete up to nine hours of graduate courses that will satisfy both undergraduate and graduate degree requirements.
2. After completing 60 hours, schedule a conversation (phone or in-person) with Dr. Charles Taylor, MNCL program director, to confirm intent to apply for +1 (Concurrent Credit). In this conversation, the director will determine whether to grant approval for the student to apply for early admission to CGS. Upon conclusion of this meeting, the director will send an email to CGS (grad@drury.edu) notifying the office that the student is eligible to apply for early admission. The director will advise the student on graduate coursework. (Approval to apply for early admission does not guarantee admission into CGS.)
3. After earning 75 credit hours of undergraduate coursework and maintaining a 3.5 GPA, complete the online application  for admission to the College of Graduate Studies. The application requires the following: 
   1. Submit a personal statement that explains your career goals and reasons applying for the +1 program.
   2. Request two letters of recommendation (details are provided in the online application). One recommendation must be from a Drury faculty member.
   3. When completing the online application, be sure to mark the appropriate box for concurrent credit.
4. Upon completion of the bachelor’s degree, you will fulfill all MNCL admission requirements.
5. After admission into the program, complete the Permission to Register for Concurrent Credit form. Contact the College of Graduate Studies to receive an electronic copy of the form (grad@drury.edu). This form must be completed and submitted to the Office of the Registrar by the “last day to enroll” as stated in the Academic Calendar for each semester in order to finalize registration. Admitted master’s students will receive an information packet from the College of Graduate Studies (grad@drury.edu).