Next fall, the School of International Service will allow 25 entering freshmen to complete a bachelor’s degree in three years and a master’s in four.
The Global Scholars Program was created because many SIS students were already completing their undergraduate requirements in three years.
“We recognize that that’s already happening, so we decided to create an experience for them that provided them with support for that,” said Leeanne Dunsmore, associate dean for program development and graduate admissions.
It will also provide students with numerous benefits, including study abroad and internship opportunities and a program director for guidance.
“The Global Scholars Program is a rigorous accelerated course of study designed for outstanding entering freshmen passionate about creating meaningful change in the world,” Director of Undergraduate Admissions Greg Grauman said.
Since the program has limited space and a rigorous academic requirement, prospective students must submit an application separate from their AU application.
In the Global Scholars Program Application, which can be found online, candidates must provide personal information, as well as write a 500-word essay.
A committee of SIS faculty will decide which 25 students to admit into the Global Scholars Program.
“It’s not for everyone,” Dunsmore said. “It’s for someone who has a focus … in international relations [and] wants an accelerated experience.”
Once admitted, the students would live on the same floor of a residence hall, which is tentatively planned to be an Honors floor in Hughes Hall, according to Dunsmore.
“If you’re going to accelerate your undergraduate education, having support within the dormitory, we thought was an essential component to their success so that they would have one another,” Dunsmore said.
Due to the Global Scholars Program’s academic rigor, many of the students admitted into the Global Scholars Program would be Honors students as well, according to Phyllis Peres, vice provost for undergraduate studies.
Since these students have limited time to complete 120 credits, they will fulfill many of their graduation requirements over two summers through study abroad or online learning courses. AU will allow their financial aid to continue over the summer, adding up to a total of eight semesters in three years.
If the Global Scholars Program is a success, other departments may implement similar programs as well.
“We’re also looking at this as a pilot for other programs on the campus,” Peres said. “The School of International Service is kind of taking the lead for all of us here.”
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