FastForward to an MBA

Seton Hill University students have the opportunity to earn a bachelor’s degree in the major(s) and/or specialization(s) of their choice along with a Master’s Degree in Business Administration (MBA) in as little as five years. The FastForward MBA Program provides an opportunity for undergraduate students to take 6 graduate-level credit hours (2 MBA courses) during their senior year that count toward their 120 credit hour undergraduate requirement, leaving 10 graduate courses (versus 12) to complete their MBA degree requirements. Additionally, the 6 graduate credit hours taken during their senior year are billed at the undergraduate rate. The students receive their bachelor’s degree upon completion of their undergraduate requirements (Year 4) and earn their MBA after completing the remaining 10 graduate courses (30 credit hours) over the ensuing 10-12 months (Year 5). Students must complete the remaining graduate courses within five years of completion of their first MBA course. Since MBA courses are taught in the evening and online, the student could begin working after Year 4 while continuing graduate work.

This unique program elevates a student’s competitive position upon graduation while simultaneously reducing total tuition costs and accelerating educational and professional goals.

Admission Requirements

The FastForward MBA Program is available for well-qualified, entering first-year (freshman) students and currently enrolled undergraduates in good standing who meet the admission requirements. Admission into the program is open to any Seton Hill University student regardless of major(s) and/o specialization(s). Incoming, first-year students may apply and are provisionally accepted into the FastForward MBA Program prior to the start of their freshman year. Provisional acceptance into the program not only guarantees a seat in MBA courses during the senior year but also reduces other application steps that would be required for students who apply to the program after the start of their first freshman undergraduate semester.

Students who wish to be admitted to the FastForward MBA Program after enrolling at the University should apply no later than the fall semester of their junior year. Acceptance into the FastForward MBA Program for all students is considered provisional pending successful completion of all graduate program prerequisite requirements and a cumulative grade point average of 3.25 or better at the end of the junior year.

Admissions Procedures: Incoming Freshman Students

Incoming freshman students should indicate on the undergraduate application their interest in pursuing the FastForward MBA Program. Admission requirements for incoming freshman students follow:

• Completion and submission of all undergraduate admission requirements.
• Indication of interest in the FastForward MBA Program on the undergraduate application.
• High school minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.50 and a score of 1100 on the SAT or 24 on the ACT (or higher).

The admissions packet will be reviewed in its entirety regarding provisional admission into the FastForward MBA Program. The student will receive one letter regarding acceptance into Seton Hill University from the Undergraduate Admissions Office and a second letter regarding acceptance into the FastForward MBA Program. If an undergraduate student is accepted into Seton Hill University as an incoming, first-year freshman but not accepted into the FastForward MBA Program, he/she may re-apply during the fall semester of the junior year.

Admissions Procedures: Currently Enrolled Student Requirements

Currently enrolled undergraduate students should submit a completed FastForward Enrollment Form no later than December 1 of their junior year. Admission requirements and conditions for currently enrolled students follow:

• Submission of the FastForward Enrollment Form by December 1 of their junior year. 
• Overall undergraduate grade point average of 3.25 or higher.
• Successful completion of all general education and liberal arts requirements.
• Signature of approval form from their faculty advisor.
• Graduate coursework will begin in the senior year based on faculty advisor approval.
• Any outstanding incompletes in undergraduate coursework must be completed prior to beginning graduate coursework.
• The student must register for the two MBA courses through the MBA Program Director.

Academic Policies

Undergraduate Program: Undergraduate students who expect to participate in the FastForward MBA Program must complete all requirements for the baccalaureate degree as well as fulfill prerequisites for the MBA Program. FastForward MBA Program students cannot register for the two graduate level MBA courses until their senior year (having completed a minimum of 90 undergraduate credits). They must have a cumulative grade point average of 3.25 or higher.

Undergraduate and Graduate Course Credit: A maximum of 6 graduate-level credits may be counted toward the undergraduate degree. This will reduce the total graduate credits needed for completion of the MBA degree from 36 credits to 30. The 6 credits of graduate coursework taken during the student’s senior year are billed at the undergraduate rate and are counted in the calculation of the undergraduate accumulate grade point average.

Awarding of Degrees. Upon completion of the undergraduate degree requirements (minimum of 120 credit hours) to include 6 MBA credit hours, students receive their bachelor’s degree. Upon successful completion of the remaining 10 MBA courses (30 credit hours), they are awarded their MBA degree.

For additional information click here.

FastForward to an M.S. in Nutrition & Dietetics

Through Seton Hill’s BS/MS program, you can earn both your bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in five years.  For more information click here.

FastForward to an M.S. in Physician Assistant

Through Seton Hill’s BS/MS program, you earn both your bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in five years. For more information click here.

FastForward to an M.A. in Elementary/Middle Level Education

Through the FastForward Education Program, undergraduate students in the Pre-K to Grade 4 with Special Education major can earn both a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree (plus three teacher certifications to enable teaching in grades Pre-K to 8) in five years. Here’s how it works:

• After acceptance to the University and the FastForward Program in Education, the Director of Graduate Programs assists students in scheduling classes to meet the requirements of the program.
• Students must have a minimum 3.0 cumulative grade point average and have earned a bachelor’s degree in the Pre-K to Grade 4 with Special Education major.
• Students receive the bachelor’s degree at the end of the senior year and then earn the M.A. in Elementary/Middle Level with Teacher Certification for grades 4 to 8 in a content area of choice in as few as 12 months.

Benefits of the program:

• Students are exempt from submitting a formal graduate school application. 
• The application fee and requirement for letters of recommendation are waived.
• GRE scores are not required.
• There is an alumni discount for tuition.
• A place in the program is guaranteed.
• Students who qualify can schedule up to 6 credits of graduate work during the senior year. These credits apply to the master’s degree only and are counted in the calculation of the graduate cumulative grade point average.
• Use of the graduate cumulative grade point average is permitted to meet qualifying scores on the state-required assessments.
• Since the graduate courses are taught in the evening, students can begin their teaching careers while earning the Master of Arts degree.
• Students will have met the Pennsylvania post-degree credit requirements for maintaining valid certification.

To find out more, contact the Admissions Office.

Seton Hill offers future teachers the opportunity to complete their undergraduate degree in Elementary Education with Special Education and then move directly to graduate work in Elementary/Middle Level Education without having to apply to graduate school. Even better, the student can earn both degrees (Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts) and three teaching certifications (Elementary grades Pre K to 4, Special Education grades Pre K to 8 and Middle Level grades 4 to 8) in just five years.

For additional information click here.

FastForward to an M.A. in Special Education

Through the FastForward Education Program, undergraduate students in the Elementary Education (Pre-K to Grade 4) with Special Education (Pre-K to Grade 8) Certification program, or Secondary Education Teacher Certification program, or K-12 Teacher Certification program can earn both a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in five years. Here’s how it works:

• Students must have a minimum 3.0 cumulative grade point average and have earned the bachelor’s degree in the Elementary Education (Pre-K to Grade 4) with Special Education (Pre-K to Grade 8) Certification program, or Secondary Education Teacher Certification program, or K-12 Teacher Certification program,
• Students receive the bachelor’s degree at the end of the senior year and then earn the M.A. in Special Education in as few as 12 months.

Benefits of the program:

• Students are exempt from submitting a formal graduate school application.
• The application fee and requirement for letters of recommendation are waived.
• GRE scores are not required.
• There is an alumni discount for tuition.
• A place in the program is guaranteed.
• Students who qualify can schedule up to 6 credits of graduate work during the senior year. These credits apply to the master’s degree only and are
  counted in the calculation of the graduate cumulative grade point average.
• Use of the graduate cumulative grade point average is permitted to meet qualifying scores on the state-required assessments in Special Education for those who are in the Secondary Education Teacher Certification program, or K-12 Teacher Certification program and have not obtained special education certification (e.g., Elementary Education (Pre-K to Grade 4) with Special Education (Pre-K - Grade 8) Certification program).
• Since the graduate course content is delivered online, students can begin their teaching careers while earning the Master of Arts degree.
• Students will have met the Pennsylvania post-degree credit requirements for maintaining valid certification.

To find out more, contact the Admissions Office.

Seton Hill offers future teachers the opportunity to complete their undergraduate degree in Elementary Education with Special Education, Secondary Education Teacher Certification program, or K-12 Teacher Certification and then move directly to graduate work in Special Education without having to apply to graduate school. Even better, the student can earn both degrees (Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts) in just five years.

For additional information click here.

FastForward to an MFA in Writing Popular Fiction

This FastForward offers current SHU students the opportunity to take six credits of the MFA at the undergraduate rate. Here’s how it works:

• After acceptance to the University and the FastForward Program in WPF, the Assistant Director of the MFA assists students in scheduling classes to meet the requirements of the program.
• Students must have a minimum 3.0 cumulative grade point average in their major and be either an English Major or Minor OR have special dispensation from the assistant director to apply (meeting with assistant director required).
• Students receive their bachelor’s degree at the end of their senior year and can apply to matriculate into the MFA in Writing Popular Fiction with six credits already completed.

Benefits of the program:

• Requirement for letters of recommendation is waived.
• GRE scores are not required.
• In your senior year, you will take two MFA courses (at the undergraduate tuition rate) that will count toward both undergraduate and graduate degree requirements at Seton Hill. (You will be eligible for the alumni discount rate for all MFA courses after the first two.)
• Since the MFA is low residency, students can live and work anywhere while earning their Master of Fine Arts degree.