Advanced Standing Programs: Accelerate Your Graduate Education
Bentley’s four Advanced Standing Programs give high-achieving undergraduates the opportunity to earn a graduate degree at an accelerated pace. Students can complete up to four graduate-level courses during their undergraduate studies—counting toward both their bachelor’s and master’s degrees—while still pursuing internships, study abroad, and other experiential learning opportunities.
Program Advantages
- Earn Two Degrees, Faster: Complete your bachelor’s and master’s degrees with up to 12 graduate credits that count toward both—saving time and tuition.
- Save While You Learn: Take four graduate-level courses at the undergraduate tuition rate, reducing the overall cost of your master’s degree.
- Accelerate Your Career: Designed for proactive students ready to fast-track their professional and academic growth.
- Seamless Transition to Graduate Study: Apply to the graduate program alongside the Advanced Standing Program for a smooth, integrated pathway from undergraduate to graduate school.
- Boost Your Earning Potential: Master’s degree holders consistently earn more over their careers than those with only a bachelor’s degree.
- Gain Employer-Driven Skills: Bentley’s graduate programs are shaped by industry partnerships, providing valuable networking opportunities and career-relevant expertise.
explore our programs
Advanced Standing in Accounting
The Advanced Standing in Accounting (BS & MSA) program offers students the benefit of earning their MSA degree within four years. Available to all three undergraduate accounting majors – Accounting, Corporate Finance and Accounting, IT in Accounting – this program pairs with any MSA concentration and offers a comprehensive and efficient educational experience.
Advanced Standing in Business
The Advanced Standing in Business (BA/BS & MBA) program is a great opportunity for students to start on their MBA as an undergraduate student. The program is open to students pursuing any undergraduate major and provides the necessary leadership skills to make an immediate impact upon graduation.
Advanced Standing in Business Analytics
The Advanced Standing in Business Analytics (BA/BS & MSBA) program allows students to develop the deep analytical skills needed to be successful working in the data analytics environment. Students take four graduate classes during their undergraduate years making it possible to receive two degrees in five years.
Advanced Standing in Finance
Bentley offers an Advanced Standing in Finance (BS & MSF) program for high achieving students from select majors. In this accelerated program, you’ll develop depth and breadth in corporate finance and investments, and graduate in four years with both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree, with no duplication of content.
Start Your Application
Program Timeline
Sophomore Year
- Apply to an Advanced Standing Program (ASP).
Junior and Senior Years
- Enroll in up to four graduate-level courses that count toward both your undergraduate and graduate degrees.
For International Students Only
- Meet with an advisor from the Center for International Students and Scholars (CISS) to complete a new I-20 form before the end of your final undergraduate semester.
- A new I-20 is required to continue your studies in graduate school.
Post-Undergraduate
- Matriculate into graduate school to complete your remaining graduate courses.
Remaining Graduate Courses by Program
- ASF, ASAC, ASBA: Six graduate courses remaining
- ASB: Eight graduate courses remaining
Information Sessions
We host one in-person and one virtual information session each semester to help you learn more about the Advanced Standing programs. The Fall 2025 sessions have passed, details for the Spring 2026 sessions are forthcoming.
frequently asked questions
The program fee is $8,000, paid in four installments of $2,000 per semester beginning with the student’s first semester in the program. This fee is charged in addition to the normal tuition and fees charged for the semester.
Contact Student Financial Services (sfs@bentley.edu) for more details.
Undergraduate degree costs (not including the program fee) should be satisfied with existing financial aid. Need-based and merit-based scholarships are not available for the graduate portion. Please refer to your respective Advanced Standing program’s page for inquiries on program specific cost and aid, and consult with Student Financial Services (sfs@bentley.edu) for additional details.
Please contact Student Financial Services (sfs@bentley.edu) for any questions related to your student account, billing or financial aid.
Yes, an in-person orientation is mandatory for all students who have been accepted and paid the deposit. Orientation is designed to ensure students are fully prepared for the program by providing important dates, expectations and support resources.
During your undergraduate years, you should meet with your undergraduate academic advisor for course planning and registration.
After transitioning to graduate school, you will be assigned a graduate academic advisor to support your continued success.
As an undergraduate, you're encouraged to access the resources and coaching within the Pulsifer Undergraduate Career Development Center to build your professional foundation. Once you begin your official shift into the graduate program, we recommend you access graduate level resources within Graduate and Alumni Career Development (GCD) . Both offices are located on LaCava 3rd floor and offer in person and virtual support as well as resources, events, and coaching appointments accessed via Handshake.
No. Students may take only four graduate-level courses during their undergraduate studies. The remaining courses will be taken once you complete your bachelors' requirements.
No, Blended Term and Advanced Standing are two different programs. To learn more about Blended Term, you can visit the catalogue.
Yes! Our students can study abroad but you must plan ahead and meet with your academic advisor, study abroad advisor, and Student Financial Services (sfs@bentley.edu). To contact a study abroad advisor, please schedule an appointment here.
Graduate courses taken as an undergraduate student through an Advanced Standing Program will only double count for the undergraduate and graduate degree if the student matriculates into the graduate program for their Advanced Standing Program. If a student chooses to leave the Advanced Standing Program and apply to another graduate program, the four graduate level courses will only count towards their undergraduate degree.
For more details regarding this policy, please refer here.
Yes, you may transfer into another program as long as you receive direct approval from the Program Director of the program you’re transferring into and you are required to meet with your academic advisor to confirm the feasibility of transfer. You cannot transfer once you matriculated into the graduate school. You will need to reach out to the Program Director and email advancedstanding@bentley.edu to notify us about your intentions to switch programs.
After notifying us, please complete and submit your program transfer application here.
What should I do if I leave the Advanced Standing Program? Enrolled students can choose to discontinue your Advanced Standing Program before the start of a semester; but they will not be allowed to drop the program mid-semester. Although students cannot typically re-enter the same Advanced Standing program, under special circumstances they may petition the program director to rejoin it.
- If you decide to leave the program:
1. Consult with your academic advisor and your Program Director and advancedstanding@bentley.edu about dropping from your Advanced Standing Program.
2. Work with your academic advisor on dropping any graduate-level courses from your schedule and replace them with open undergraduate courses.
3. Have your Program Director contact the Registrar’s Office at GA_Registrars_Office@bentley.edu to remove your Advanced Standing Program status.
4. Please complete the following program drop form here.
If you are still interested in pursuing graduate studies at Bentley after withdrawing, you may apply to a graduate program through the regular admissions process. Eligible Bentley undergraduates may take advantage of an accelerated application process within five years of completing your undergraduate degree.
Please note that if you choose to leave the Advanced Standing Program prematurely, the program fee that you’ve already paid is non-refundable.
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