Accelerated Programs

Please consult a section for more information regarding the different opportunities for accelerated undergraduate to graduate programs offered at Johnson & Wales University. 

Combined Undergraduate-Graduate Programs

J2 Program

The JWU J2 program allows qualified students enrolled in a matriculating undergraduate program to take graduate level courses at JWU. Students interested in pursuing this option should meet with their academic advisor to discuss their interest, qualifications, and plans. The undergraduate student may take up to four graduate courses (maximum 12 credits) and are limited to 6 credits a semester and 3 credits per session (Fall Session I and Fall Session II). 

The completion of graduate credits to fulfill undergraduate program requirements does not guarantee acceptance into the graduate program after completion of the baccalaureate degree. Matriculating undergraduate students who wish to formally enroll in a graduate program, must fulfill all requirements for entrance into the intended graduate program and complete a graduate program application. 

Note: Not all graduate courses are included as part of this policy. Courses offered as part of the Masters of Arts in Teaching, Masters of Education, Masters of Science in Physician Assistant Studies and doctoral courses are excluded from this policy and are restricted to program majors only. Additional courses and/or programs as determined by individual colleges may also have restricted access.

Eligibility Criteria:

To be eligible to enroll in graduate level courses (excludes: Masters of Arts in Teaching, Masters of Education, Masters of Science in Physician Assistant Studies, doctoral courses and other programs as outlined by the colleges).

Undergraduate students must meet the following criteria:

·       Undergraduate cumulative GPA of 3.00 or higher

·       Completed & registered undergraduate credits at least 90 credits

·       Meet the individual course prerequisites

Appeal to Eligibility Criteria: College Dean or designee will receive a copy of the Petition Form, Student's GPS and email requesting appeal if the student requests to appeal the GPA or earned/registered credit criteria. College Dean / designee will review and determine approval.  

These courses carry graduate credit and will replace undergraduate degree requirements when applicable, traditionally free-electives (maximum of 12 credits). The course will be applied to the undergraduate degree in the order in which they are taken (if required) and will also be applied towards both the students undergraduate and graduate GPA.

Students should maintain enrollment in at least 12 credits of undergraduate coursework to maintain full-time status; graduate course enrollment is not calculated into undergraduate full-time status. For students already attending full-time as undergraduates (12 credits or more) and paying the full-time tuition, the graduate credits will be included in full-time tuition fee. Students attending part-time (11 credits or less) will pay the cost per-credit undergraduate tuition for the graduate course.

Course registration will be based on space availability and students enrolled in graduate level courses will be required to maintain good academic standing at the undergraduate and graduate level.  

Please see the Articulation Agreements website for additional information regarding articulation agreements.

Accelerated B.S. Biology/Pharm. D. (Doctor of Pharmacy) Program

The 3+3 B.S. Biology/Pharm. D. (Doctor of Pharmacy) program allows JWU Biology students who meet specified admissions criteria to earn a bachelor's degree from Johnson & Wales University and a Pharm. D. degree from University of Saint Joseph in six years. Qualified, accepted students may enroll in graduate-level Pharm. D. program classes at University of Saint Joseph School of Pharmacy (Connecticut) during their senior year at JWU, while fulfilling bachelor’s degree requirements simultaneously. Priority in admission to the School of Pharmacy at University of Saint Joseph will be given to JWU students applying via the 3+3 B.S. Biology/Pharm. D. program when those applicants have completed the first three years of the Biology B.S. in the dual degree program, satisfied admissions requirements of the Pharm. D. program, and are otherwise competitive with other applicants seeking admission to the Pharm. D. program. University of Saint Joseph pharmacy classes are not considered when determining residency requirements. Students may complete remaining graduate degree requirements in two additional years. Visit Articulation Agreements and select University of Saint Joseph 3+3 Biology-Pharm.D. to view the agreement.  

Interested students must contact the College of Arts & Sciences dean’s office to declare intent to pursue the 3+3 B.S. Biology/Pharm. D. Program. Pre-health advising is required.

For more information about program requirements, please contact the John Hazen White College of Arts & Sciences dean’s office at the Providence Campus. 

Accelerated B.S./J.D. Law Program

The B.S./J.D. Law Program allows JWU students in certain programs who meet specified admissions criteria to earn a bachelor's degree from Johnson & Wales University and a juris doctor degree from one of the participating law schools in six years. Upon completion of their junior year, qualified, accepted students may matriculate at the School of Law to enroll in graduate-level law courses which may serve to fulfill their senior-year program requirements at JWU. First-year law classes are not considered when determining residency requirements. Students may complete remaining graduate degree requirements in two additional years. Visit Articulation Agreements and select the desired law school to view the agreements.  

Interested students must contact the John Hazen White College of Arts & Sciences dean’s office to declare intent to pursue the B.S./J.D. Law Program. JWU students from the Charlotte Campus would require a transfer to the Providence Campus to participate. Pre-law advising is required. Deadlines for submitting the formal application to each of the law schools is contained in the agreement.

For more information about program requirements, please contact the John Hazen White College of Arts & Sciences dean’s office at the Providence Campus. 

The Special Honors and Rewards Program (SHARP) is designed to allow qualifying undergraduate day program students to accelerate the completion of their degree requirements in less than the normally prescribed time. This is accomplished by giving eligible students the ability to register up to 21.0 credits each semester with no additional tuition fees. SHARP offers the potential for students to save time and expenses.

To be eligible for SHARP, the student must have completed at least one semester of classes at JWU and have a cumulative GPA of 3.60 or higher.

  • If this criteria is met, the student’s maximum allowable registration credits will reflect 21.0 for the next semester.
  • If this criteria is not met, the student’s maximum allowable registration credits will remain at 18.0.
  • If a student is or becomes SHARP-ineligible at the end of a semester, they may become SHARP-eligible any time in the future provided they meet the 3.60 cumulative GPA requirement at the end of a semester.
  • Students registered for 21.0 credits who become SHARP-ineligible for the next semester will be notified via their JWU email account. It is the student's responsibility to drop extra credits, if registered, to avoid incurring additional charges.

Students who are SHARP-eligible may utilize this benefit at any time of their choosing (or not at all) and should note the following before proceeding.

  1. Accelerating the completion of program requirements may impact future enrollment (e.g., part-time enrollment) and course sequencing.
  2. Semester course offerings may not allow or guarantee accelerated program completion.
  3. To plan effectively, course projections must be reviewed carefully and students should work closely with their academic counselor/advisor.