Terms of Study

The 30-credit MS-ACMS degree requirements can be completed in one of the following two schedules.

• 10-month option: Under this option, the student begins study in the summer, normally the last week in June, and completes 6 credits in the that term. Then, the student takes 12 credits in each of the following fall and spring semesters. Under this option the student graduates in May. In short, the schedule of study is: Summer (6 cr) – Fall (12 cr) – Spring (12 cr).
• 16-month option: Under this option, the student begins study in the fall semester, normally near the end of August, taking 12 credits in that semester, and 12 in the following spring. The student then completes the requirements by taking 6 credits in the following fall semester.  Under this option the student graduates in January of the second year. In short, the schedule of study is: Fall (12 cr) – Spring (12 cr) – Fall (6 cr).

Program finances for the two options: Program tuition is set by the Graduate School at an annual rate for a year that begins with the summer term and ends the following May. The charge per credit hour for a student in the ACMS masters program is the annual tuition rate divided by 30, the total credits required for the degree. The tuition charged for a term, Summer, Fall, or Spring, is billed before the beginning of the term and computed from the total enrolled credits. Note that for students in the 16-month option, the terms of study occur in two different academic years, hence different annual tuition rates are used to compute the tuition charges.

Advantages of each option: The advantage of the 10-month option is that a student completes the degree requirements within one year and can begin employment quickly. This may be especially attractive to students who had internship experiences as an undergraduate. Students in the 10-month program would begin their job searches in the fall semester after they begin.

The 16-month option has the advantage of offering students time to complete an internship following the first year of study. Students in the 16-month program would likely search for jobs during their second fall semesters of attendance, following a summer internship. Please be advised that it is the student’s responsibility to seek and secure an internship. ACMS cannot assist in that effort, however Graduate Career Services (https://gradcareers.nd.edu) can help students prepare to be successful.

Note for international students (Updated April 6, 2022). There was a restriction for students on F1 visas. The program just received approval for the 16-month option for international students. Further questions can be addressed to the program director (b1hu@nd.edu).