Accelerated Graduate Pathways

Get Ahead—Start Your Graduate Journey Now

Pathway Programs

Missouri S&T offers two programs that let you begin graduate coursework before completing your bachelor’s degree: Grad Track Pathway (GTP) and Dual Enrollment. Both allow you to take graduate-level courses as an undergraduate and apply them toward a future graduate certificate, master’s, or Ph.D.

These programs can help you:

  • Save time

  • Reduce costs

  • Add flexibility to your academic path

Exploring Graduate Programs Outside Your Major

Not sure your current major is the right fit for grad school? That’s okay! Many S&T graduate programs accept students from a variety of academic backgrounds, giving you the flexibility to explore new fields and find a path that aligns with your future goals.

Choose Your Path

Not sure where to start? Check out the quick overviews below to get a feel for what each program offers. To dive deeper into eligibility, the application process, or how credits apply, click the Learn More link at the bottom of each section.

Some students may be eligible for both programs. Be sure to review the requirements for each to take full advantage of what they offer. Have questions about how credits apply to your graduate program? Contact Graduate Education at grad@mst.edu.

Grad Track Pathway (GTP)

GTP allows you to take graduate-level courses that count toward both your undergraduate and graduate degrees at S&T. These courses are taken as part of the requirements for your bachelor's degree and recorded as undergraduate credit, but can be applied to your graduate program once you’re officially admitted. This program is ideal if you are confident you want to continue into a graduate program at Missouri S&T immediately after completing your bachelor’s degree.

What to Know:

  • Students can choose from tracks leading to a graduate certificate, master’s, or Ph.D. program.

  • Courses must be graduate-level (5000- or 6000-level), but they are recorded as undergraduate credit because they used to fulfill the requirements of the undergraduate degree.

  • Courses selected for the pathway apply to both the undergraduate and graduate programs at Missouri S&T. To count toward the graduate program, an approved GTP Course Approval Form must be on file before the undergraduate degree is awarded.

  • Students receive conditional admission to their selected graduate program upon acceptance into the pathway.

  • There is no additional tuition charged for shared courses.

  • Students must begin their graduate program in the semester immediately following completion of their undergraduate degree, or within one year for the master’s track.

Learn More

Dual Enrollment

Dual Enrollment allows you to take extra courses that do not count toward your undergrad degree. These extra courses are taken alongside your current schedule and are recorded as graduate credit, which can later be applied to a graduate certificate or degree. This option offers added flexibility for students who are still considering their graduate school plans. It also pairs well with the Grad Track Pathway (GTP), allowing students to earn even more graduate credits in advance.

What to Know:

  • Courses taken through Dual Enrollment can be applied toward a graduate certificate, master’s, or Ph.D. program.

  • To participate, students must have senior standing and be enrolled in at least three credit hours that count toward their bachelor’s degree.

  • To have courses recorded as graduate credit, students must submit the Dually Enrolled Undergraduate Graduate Credit Indication Form, which designates which courses should be moved to their graduate record. Once the form is approved, the courses will appear as graduate credit on the student’s transcript and degree audit.

  • Students do not need to be admitted to a graduate program to participate in Dual Enrollment.

  • Tuition is billed at the undergraduate rate, based on Missouri S&T’s tiered tuition structure.

  • Graduate credit earned through Dual Enrollment may be applied to a future Missouri S&T graduate program (within catalog time limits) or potentially transferred to another institution.

Learn More