For our existing students at Carleton University, you may qualify for a “fast track” opportunity to reduce credit requirements in your graduate degree.

Accelerated Pathways

The Accelerated Pathway is for current Carleton University undergraduate students who wish to stay on for a master's degree. Students may take up to two courses (*selected credits only, up to 1.0 total credits) at graduate level in their final year of undergraduate study, and those credits can be counted towards both their undergraduate and graduate degree. Students in their final year of any relevant Carleton undergrad degree with demonstrated academic excellence and aptitude for research may qualify for this option. Students in their third-year of study should consult with both their Academic Advisor and the CSIT Associate Director for Graduate Studies to determine if the accelerated pathway is appropriate for them and to confirm their selection of courses for their final year of undergraduate studies.

Accelerated Pathway Requirements:

At least 0.5 credit in one of the following courses ITEC 52XX or ITEC 5920 with a grade of B+ or higher.
Minimum overall CGPA of A-.

Students may receive advanced standing with transfer of up to 1.0 credit, which can reduce their time to completion of a master's degree.

Fast Track to PhD

The Fast-track option is to support students who are in a Master's program, have shown strong research potential, and intend to do a PhD. The Fast-track option allows students to enter the PhD program without finishing the Master's requirements including the thesis. Discuss this option with your supervisor if you are doing a Master's.

The Fast-track applicants will be evaluated based on:

Academic background: This includes GPA both at finished programs and any un-finished Master's.
- Master's courses are used as requirements for admission so in general do not count towards PhD requirements. But up to 1 credit of them can be used as Advanced Standing if approved by the School.
Research Potential: In absence of a Master's thesis, applicants need to demonstrate sufficient research potential. This is similar to those with a no-thesis Master's degree. Examples of evidence includes but is not limited to:
- Peer-reviewed research publications.
- Research presentations at conferences and workshops.
- Research-based course projects with written deliverables.
Typical minimum requirements are:
- GPA of 11.
- Completion of 2 semesters and 4 courses.
- Proof that a paper was submitted to a conference/workshop/journal.
The Fast-track applications are reviewed by the Graduate Committee and if necessary approved by voting.

FGPA Fast-tracking Guidelines are available under the University Forms & Policies: Fast-Tracking Guidelines