Advanced Studies, MAS

Level up your academic career with this innovative and flexible program, which allows you to earn two graduate certificates, leading to a master's degree that supports your unique interests and career goals.

Program description

The MAS in advanced studies provides an opportunity to focus your studies on two advanced knowledge areas by enrolling in official ASU graduate certificates to earn a master's degree. This individualized learning opportunity allows you to complete your master's degree incrementally and provides flexibility if you need to progress through your program in stages to advance your workplace skills. Obtain specific knowledge and advanced skills from multiple knowledge areas, based on your chosen certificates.

Key benefits

Flexible learning pathway: Complete a master's degree in manageable steps, allowing you to earn valuable academic credentials along the way.
Customizable curriculum: Select two graduate certificates to tailor a master's program that aligns with your professional aspirations.
Enhanced career readiness: Gain specialized knowledge and skills in multiple disciplines, making you a more versatile candidate in the job market.
Personalized education: Create a degree program that reflects your individual interests and career goals, ensuring your education is relevant and engaging.
Academic excellence: Benefit from ASU's renowned faculty and resources, receiving a high-quality education that prepares you for advanced professional opportunities.

Degree requirements

Certificate + certificate = Master's degree

The minimum total credit hours for the program is 30. The requirements consist of:

Main certificate coursework
Stackable certificate coursework

Main and stackable certificates

Based on your individual needs, select one main and one stackable ASU graduate certificate--each consisting of 15 or more credit hours--using ASU Degree Search. All coursework required for both certificates must be completed to be awarded the MAS in advanced studies. The academic college of the main certificate provides academic advising and awards the master's degree.

Admission

Begin by selecting two ASU graduate certificates consisting of at least 15 credit hours for the MAS in advanced studies. Use ASU Degree Search to explore graduate certificates.

Once you have identified your main and stackable certificates, apply for the certificate(s) using the graduate application. All students are required to meet general university admission requirements. You may pursue the main certificate first, the stackable certificate first, or both certificates simultaneously. If pursuing certificates one at a time, you will not be eligible for admission to the MAS in advanced studies until you have been admitted to the second certificate (see the following steps for admission). Previously completed graduate certificates may be used for the MAS in advanced studies if you completed the certificate(s) within seven years from the time of admission to the MAS.

The MAS in advanced studies does not have an application through the standard graduate application process. Once you have approved iPOS for both certificates, contact the advisor for your main certificate to add the MAS. Once your eligibility has been confirmed, you will be automatically admitted to the MAS in advanced studies, and it will appear as an active program in your My ASU.

Program handbook

Refer to the MAS in advanced studies handbook for more information.

Graduation

Students must apply to graduate in My ASU in accordance with the University Registrar policies. MAS students must apply for graduation three times–for both graduate certificates and the MAS in advanced studies.

Students must meet all University and Graduate College degree requirements prior to the conferral of their degree or awarding of their certificate, including a 3.0 GPA in the graduate GPA, iPOS GPA and cumulative GPA. Students must be registered until all degree requirements have been met. All requirements for both graduate certificates must be completed before the MAS in advanced studies will be awarded.

The graduation deadlines and procedures are set by the Graduate College and are available online at graduation deadlines. Students must become familiar with these deadlines so that graduation can occur during the expected term.

Contacts

Questions about individual academic certificates should be directed to the certificate program advisor. Contact information for each certificate can be found on the certificate program's page in ASU Degree Search.

Once admitted, students have an assigned advisor for each graduate academic certificate. The advisor for the main certificate also serves as the advisor for the MAS in advanced studies. Students can find their advisor and advising contact information in My ASU in the “Academic Advising” section of the “Academic Support Team” box.

Other questions may be directed to [email protected].

FAQs

Do I need a bachelor’s degree to be eligible for admission to a graduate certificate or the MAS in advanced studies?

Yes, students pursuing graduate certificates and master’s degrees must meet all graduate admission requirements.

Who is the target student population for the MAS in advanced studies?

The MAS in advanced studies is a great option for students who may not be ready to commit to a master’s degree, want to try a graduate certificate before enrolling in a degree program or wish to customize a master’s degree by selecting two areas of advanced knowledge.

How do students apply for the MAS in advanced studies?

See the “Admission” section above. Once students have identified their main and stackable certificates, applied and been admitted to both, and submitted an iPOS for both programs, they should contact the advisor of their main certificate to add the MAS.

What are the deadlines to add the MAS in advanced studies?

The application deadlines for graduate certificates are indicated in ASU Degree Search. The deadline for admission to the MAS in advanced studies is the Last Day to Register or Add a Class Without College Approval for Session B each fall, spring, and summer semester.

How much is the tuition for a master’s degree?

The ASU tuition estimator is an easy-to-use tool that shows you what you can expect to pay. You can also determine your cost of attendance, which includes the average amount you can expect to pay for tuition and fees, housing and food, books, course materials, supplies, equipment, transportation and personal expenses.

How do I qualify for financial aid?

Students must be active in the MAS in advanced studies to qualify for financial aid (unless their active certificate(s) are also financial aid eligible). Students must be active in or have completed both certificates to be admitted to the MAS. Questions can be directed to Financial Aid.

What financial aid is available for the MAS in advanced studies?

The list below includes a variety of resources for funding your graduate studies. We also encourage you to reach out to your academic department to learn more about additional funding opportunities.

ASU Graduate College
ASU Financial Aid
ASU Scholarship Portal
ASU Graduate Student Government (GSG)
National/international Competitive Awards
Student Employment
ASU Employment (search for "management intern")

Who should I contact with questions?

Students can find their advisor and advising contact information in My ASU in the “Academic Advising” section of the “Academic Support Team” box. The advisor for the main graduate certificate also serves as the advisor for the MAS in advanced studies.

Can I complete the certificates one at a time, or do I need to enroll in both certificates at the same time?

Students may complete one certificate at a time; however, students may not add the MAS until they have been admitted to and submitted an iPOS for both certificates. Please note that most graduate certificate programs are not eligible for financial aid, so most students who need financial aid must pursue both certificates simultaneously and add the MAS to be eligible.

Can I graduate from one certificate in a different semester than the MAS in advanced studies?

Yes, certificates can be completed in different semesters. Both certificates must be completed before the MAS can be conferred.

Can I use a previously awarded certificate for the MAS in advanced studies?

Yes, a completed certificate may be used if it is an eligible certificate completed within the last seven years and does not include credits shared with another program.

Can I change one of my certificates after I start the MAS in advanced studies?

Yes, but you must apply for admission to the new certificate and then work with your MAS advisor to submit a change form. Direct questions to your main certificate academic advisor.

How many total credits are required for the MAS in advanced studies?

The minimum total credit hours for the MAS in advanced studies is 30 credits, which are unique to the certificates and MAS. The main and stackable certificates must include at least 15 credit hours each. If either certificate requires more than 15 credit hours, students will need to complete more than 30 credit hours to earn the MAS degree.

Can I share credits between my two certificates?

No, sharing of credits between the two certificates participating in the MAS or with any other program is not allowed. If a course is required for both certificates, students must complete an additional, pre-approved course for one certificate.

One course for my certificate was shared with another degree program. Can I add another course to my certificate so that there are 15 unique certificate credits to be eligible for the MAS in advanced studies?

No, certificate coursework cannot be shared with another degree and applied to the MAS in advanced studies.

Can I complete an online certificate and an on-campus certificate for the MAS in advanced studies?

If pursuing two graduate certificates simultaneously, the modality of the active programs must match. To complete certificates offered in different modalities, students must complete one certificate before applying for and complete the second certificate. The MAS modality must match the modality of the active certificate(s).

How long do I have to complete the certificate and master’s degree?

All work toward a master’s degree must be completed within six consecutive years for students admitted to the MAS before fall 2026. Students admitted to the MAS in fall 2026 and thereafter must complete the degree in four years. Graduate courses taken prior to admission that are included on the iPOS must have been completed within seven years of the semester and year of admission to the program. If older coursework is applied as pre-admission coursework, the maximum time limit may be updated based on the start date of the pre-admission coursework.

Can I opt out of the MAS in advanced studies once I begin?

Yes, students may submit the voluntary withdrawal form to withdraw from a graduate program.