The University of Mary Washington (UMW) offers several accelerated and early admission partnership programs designed to provide qualified students with a streamlined pathway to graduate degrees at affiliated institutions. These programs allow students to earn both a bachelor's degree from UMW and a master's or doctoral degree in a shorter timeframe than pursuing them separately. By completing specific requirements and applying during their undergraduate studies, students can gain provisional or early acceptance into prestigious graduate programs, saving time and potentially tuition costs.
These accelerated programs are designed to fast-track students into demanding professional careers in fields such as pharmacy, law, medicine, and specialized engineering disciplines. Graduating from these programs provides a strong foundation for entry into these high-demand professions.
Specific requirements can vary. Students are encouraged to contact the designated program coordinators for detailed information. For the pharmacy program, the PCAT is required. For the law program, the LSAT is required. For the GW School of Medicine program, students must be in the UMW Honors Program. For William & Mary business programs, faculty nomination is key.
Tuition and living costs will vary significantly based on the chosen partner institution (Shenandoah University, George Mason University, Virginia Tech, The George Washington University, William & Mary) and the specific program of study. Students should consult the websites of the respective graduate schools for the most current fee information.
All partner institutions (Shenandoah University, George Mason University, Virginia Tech, The George Washington University, William & Mary) are accredited bodies. Specific program accreditations should be verified with the respective graduate schools.
Entry requirements vary by program, but generally include maintaining a specific GPA (e.g., 2.0 for Pharmacy, 3.25 for Law), completing prerequisite coursework, and achieving acceptable scores on standardized tests like the PCAT or LSAT. Some programs, like the GW Medical program, require participation in the UMW Honors Program.
The programs are designed to shorten the overall time to a graduate degree. For example, the BS + Pharmacy Doctorate can take 7 years, and the BS + Law Degree can take 6 years. Engineering Master's programs can be completed up to 1 year faster.
You first apply to the University of Mary Washington. During your freshman or sophomore year, express interest to your UMW advisor, fulfill program-specific prerequisites, and then apply to the partner graduate institution during your junior year or as specified by the program.
Yes, there are guaranteed scholarship opportunities for qualified candidates applying to William & Mary Business programs by February 15. Additionally, various merit-based scholarships are available for incoming UMW students.
These programs prepare students for demanding professional careers such as Pharmacist, Lawyer, Physician, and various engineering roles like Software Engineer or Data Scientist. They provide a strong foundation for entry into high-demand professions.