A PROGRAM FOR FUTURE SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHERS AND BEHAVIOR ANALYSTS

With Nova Southeastern University’s Dual Admission program, you can earn your Masters in Developmental Disabilities degree in five and a half years (4 + 1.5). A Master of Science in Developmental Disabilities at NSU will make a difference in your life, while you make a difference in the lives of others. You'll learn from faculty with professional expertise outside of the classroom and have hands-on opportunities to work with a diverse population of individuals from the young child to the senior adult. Your coursework will arm you with the knowledge you need to champion for solutions, so you can make a lasting impact.

Millions of children and adults in the United States have one or more developmental disabilities. Like anyone else, they deserve access to programs and services that help them lead full, active lives. You can help empower them.

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

A Dual Admission program in developmental disabilities is available for freshman and transfer students. An alumni tuition discount is available to all students who enter the master’s program after receiving their undergraduate degree at NSU; this can save a student 20% on graduate tuition.

Degrees Earned

You can earn any bachelor’s degree and your Master of Science in Developmental Disabilities.

Program Length

Earn your bachelor’s in four years and your master’s in one and a half years (30 credit hours).

Interview Required

Students applying for Dual Admission must interview during Shark Preview Weekend, an exclusive admitted student event.

Deadline to Apply

Fall Admission: Extended to March 15

Eligibility

To be considered for Dual Admission and fill your reserved seat in graduate or professional school, there are some requirements you must meet. Undergraduate Admission Requirements are for first-time and transfer students applying to earn a bachelor’s degree. Graduate Admission Requirements are the standards students need to maintain while earning their undergraduate degree to remain eligible for the graduate or professional program.

Undergraduate Admission Requirements

High School

3.0 Weighted GPA
(First-Time Students)

ACT/SAT

Test Optional

College

Minimum 30 Transfer Credits
3.0 GPA
(Transfer Students)

Graduate Admission Requirements

Keep your dual admission status while you earn your bachelor’s.

Dual Admission reserves your seat in NSU’s Master of Science in Developmental Disabilities program, but you still must complete a graduate application once you finish your bachelor’s degree.

Keep in mind that these are the basic requirements, and final determination of admission into the professional program is at the discretion of the Abraham S. Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice.

Degree Required

You must complete a bachelor’s degree in any major you choose. Additional prerequisites may be communicated upon admission.

GPA

You must maintain a 3.0 cumulative GPA.

Additional Requirements

College credits that were earned through advanced high school programs such as AP, IB or college academy—or in summer coursework following high school graduation, prior to attending NSU—may transfer to NSU.

Students who enter NSU with earned college credits through advanced high school programs may be able to complete their degree and program requirements earlier than scheduled and request to enter their graduate professional programs earlier as well.

Please contact your admissions representative for more details regarding high school transfer credits.

Ready for the Next Step?

Here’s how to apply.

Dual Admission is just one of NSU’s distinctive Premier Programs. These programs are designed to help highly motivated students accelerate their success.

You can apply for just about any combination of the following Premier Programs:

  • Dual Admission
  • The Fischler Academy of Education
  • Huizenga Business Innovation Academy
  • Razor’s Edge Scholars

You may apply for and be admitted into only one Dual Admission program for your first semester. Each program is unique and has its own eligibility requirements.

Questions? Browse FAQ

Apply for Undergraduate Admission

You can use the Shark Select Application or the Common App to apply to Nova Southeastern University.

Submit a Supplemental Application

Complete the supplemental Premier Programs application for fall entry.

Interview During Shark Preview

If you’re admitted to NSU and submit the supplemental application, you will be invited via email to choose which Shark Preview Weekend works for your schedule.