Accelerated program in robotics and autonomous systems (AI)

The accelerated programs in robotics and autonomous systems- artificial intelligence concentration (RAS-AI) is available for students currently admitted in the Bachelor of Science (BS) in computer science or the Bachelor of Science in Engineering (BSE) in computer systems engineering, Bachelor of Science (BS) in software engineering (ground campus) or Bachelor of Science (BS) in informatics programs.

Students entering the accelerated program will be admitted to the Tempe campus Master of Science in robotics and autonomous systems- artificial intelligence concentration program (students will be defaulted to non-thesis, but may select the thesis route once a faculty advsior is identified). Due to the research required for the thesis based programs, it may take more than one year of graduate work to complete the master’s degree.

How does it work?

The merge (or integration) between the two programs occurs when students select their upper division major electives for the bachelor’s program. The courses that you choose to double count will apply toward the 30-hour master’s degree (in addition to applying toward the 120-hour bachelor’s degree). Once the bachelor’s degree is completed, students will need an additional 21 credit hours to earn the master’s degree. Learn more about program eligibility and admissions deadline and processes for this program.

How to enroll in graduate courses once accepted

• Meet with SCAI Advisor to develop a graduate plan of study (iPOS). Students should plan to finish their graduate program within a  year and a half of completing their Bachelor’s degree.

Steps after admission

Undergraduate students accepted into the integrated program will be eligible for graduate-level courses and seminars. They will be considered as undergraduates until all BS or BSE program requirements have been completed.  Students will need to work closely with their advisor to determine the appropriate graduate courses to register for while enrolled in the BS or BSE degree and to complete the graduate course registration process. Please note:

Upon receipt of the BS or the BSE degree, the status of the student will change from undergraduate to graduate, which means the student will be eligible for graduate research assistantships and related health insurance and tuition waivers. Students will not be able to register for their first semester as a master’s student without notifying an advisor regarding their graduation.

Upon admission to the MS Thesis accelerated program, students should identify a faculty member at SCAI as an advisor, if they have not done so already. In consultation with the faculty advisor, the student will finalize their integrated plan of study (iPOS) leading to the dual degrees. Students should frequently check the Graduate Program Handbook to make sure that they are meeting all of the requirements for their master’s degree.

Maintaining good academic standing

Satisfactory progress in the integrated accelerated program is achieved if the student maintains a 3.00 GPA in overall graduate and shared course work in the student’s approved master’s program of study (note that all shared or reserved courses need to have a B grade or better).  Students who are concerned that they may not be meeting this requirement should meet with their advisor for advice on next steps.

The student may drop out of the accelerated program and return to a regular Bachelor’s program at any point of time. Students opting to not continue with the accelerated program will no longer be able to double count the nine hours towards their graduate degree.  Those nine hours will only count for undergraduate credit for their Bachelors. degree.  Students who are dismissed, or voluntarily withdraw, from the accelerated program and return to undergraduate status, are eligible to apply for admission to the stand-alone master’s programs at ASU.