Early Assurance Programs & Pathways

Early assurance programs and pathways enable interested high school seniors to secure a seat in one of St. Bonaventure's graduate-level programs as incoming freshmen. Transfer students and current SBU undergraduate students may seek early assurance to a graduate program as well.

Early assurance programs (EAP) offer students early acceptance to a graduate-level or professional program, granting them automatic placement in the program provided they maintain good standing in the undergraduate program and meet the graduate program’s academic admission requirements.

Why early assurance?

Early assurance programs free students from the stress and pressure of applying to numerous graduate or professional/medical programs while they are pursuing their undergraduate degree, giving them the freedom to devote their time and energy to other academic interests and experiences.

Some EAP programs may accelerate the traditional time frame for earning both undergraduate and graduate degrees, saving students time and money.

For instance, in our early assurance journalism programs, you apply as an incoming freshman and may begin taking graduate courses during your senior year. This not only speeds you along the path to a graduate degree, but because both graduate programs are online you have the chance to enter the workforce and earn a salary while completing your master's degree.

How to apply for early assurance

You can learn more about our early assurance programs, including how to apply, by selecting a program of interest from the list below.

4+1 BBA/MBA Early Assurance Program

High-achieving high school students with an interest in accounting can pursue an accelerated academic pathway that combines undergraduate and graduate study. Through this early assurance opportunity, eligible students can work toward both a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting and an MBA in Professional Accountancy, creating a streamlined route to complete the required 150 credit hours in as little as five years. Learn more

MBA (non-accounting) Early Assurance Program

Qualified high school seniors may apply for early assurance to our traditional MBA program, choosing an undergraduate major of their liking. This enables students to earn their bachelor's degree and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in five years or less. Learn more

Early Assurance in Cybersecurity

Students interested in advancing into the fast-growing cybersecurity field can secure a direct pathway into St. Bonaventure’s online master’s degree program as early as high school or during their transfer journey. This early assurance option offers a clear route to graduate study for students who successfully maintain academic progress in their undergraduate studies and satisfy graduate admission criteria. Learn more

Early Assurance in Education (Teacher Preparation)

Future educators can begin planning for graduate-level study early through this assurance pathway designed for high school seniors and transfer students entering an undergraduate teacher preparation degree program. Eligible students may reserve a place in one of St. Bonaventure’s Education master’s degree programs by maintaining strong academic standing and fulfilling both graduate admission expectations and applicable teacher certification requirements. Learn more

Early Assurance in Journalism

Our EAP in Journalism secures placement for interested high school seniors and transfer students in one of two fully online master's programs (M.A. in digital journalism and M.A. in sports journalism) provided they maintain good standing in their undergraduate program and meet the graduate program's academic admission requirements. Learn more

Early Assurance in Marketing Communication

Students with an interest in strategic communication, branding, and digital marketing can establish an early path to graduate study through this assurance opportunity. Available to qualified high school seniors and transfer students, this pathway provides a direct route into St. Bonaventure’s Master of Arts in Marketing Communication program for those who remain academically successful in their undergraduate degree program and meet graduate admission standards. Learn more

4+2 & 3+2 MSOT Early Assurance Pathways

Undergraduate students, including incoming freshmen and eligible transfer students, are guaranteed a reserved seat in our Pre-OT Track: Master of Science in Occupational Therapy pathways provided they maintain good standing in their undergraduate program and meet the graduate program's admission requirements. Learn more

Early Assurance in Sport Administration

Students who envision a future in the business side of athletics can take advantage of this early assurance pathway to begin mapping their graduate education sooner. Open to qualified high school seniors and transfer students, this opportunity provides a streamlined path into St. Bonaventure’s Master of Science in Business in Sport Administration for those who maintain strong academic performance and satisfy graduate admission expectations. Learn more

Programs in chemistry, medicine, dentistry, pharmacy and PT

Chemistry majors at SBU are eligible for automatic acceptance and immediate entry to the Ph.D. program in chemistry at the University of Rhode Island.

Our Franciscan Health Care Professions Program offers opportunities for enrolled SBU students to apply for early acceptance to medical, dental or pharmacy school, or a physical therapy program. Many are combined-degree or dual-admit programs that grant talented high school seniors provisional acceptance into the professional program upon entry to St. Bonaventure.

Automatic acceptance into Ph.D. programs in Chemistry

Students who earn a B.S. in chemistry from SBU are granted automatic acceptance to doctoral programs in chemistry at the University at Buffalo and the University of Rhode Island provided they have earned a certain overall grade-point average at SBU and have a letter of support from the chair of SBU’s chemistry department. Learn more

SBU-LECOM Dual Admit Program in Osteopathic Medicine

Qualified high school seniors accepted into this program have a reserved seat waiting for them at the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM) upon graduation from SBU. Qualified current SBU students may apply up to Feb. 1 of their sophomore year. Learn more

SBU-NYIT College of Osteopathic Medicine Early Admission Program

Qualified St. Bonaventure students may declare their interest in applying for admission to the New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine after their sophomore year at SBU, then apply at the end of their junior year. Learn more

SBU-LECOM Dual Admit Program in Dentistry

Qualified high school seniors accepted into this program have a reserved seat waiting for them at the LECOM School of Dental Medicine upon graduation from SBU. Qualified current SBU students may be eligible to apply and will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Learn more

SBU-University at Buffalo Dual Admit Program in Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences

Students pursuing a future in pharmacy can benefit from this accelerated dual-admission opportunity that creates a defined path from undergraduate study to doctoral-level professional education. Accepted students begin their academic journey at St. Bonaventure before transitioning to the University at Buffalo School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, ultimately earning both a bachelor’s degree and a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) through this structured seven-year pathway. Learn more

SBU-LECOM Dual Admit Program in Pharmacy

Aspiring pharmacists can take advantage of this dual admission pathway that helps create a smoother transition from undergraduate study to professional pharmacy education. Eligible high school seniors may secure early placement at the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine School of Pharmacy after completing three years at St. Bonaventure, while current SBU students also have an opportunity to apply after establishing academic success during their first three semesters. Learn more

SBU-Daemen Dual Admit Program in Physical Therapy

Qualified high school seniors accepted into this program are dually admitted to St. Bonaventure University and Daemen University's Department of Physical Therapy. Current SBU students may qualify to enter this program and will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Learn more

SBU-St. Francis U. Combined Degree in Physical Therapy

Students interested in becoming physical therapists can pursue a structured academic pathway that connects undergraduate study at St. Bonaventure with doctoral-level physical therapy education at St. Francis University in Pennsylvania. Qualified high school seniors may receive early consideration for this opportunity, while current SBU students with strong academic performance may also be evaluated individually for admission into the program. Learn more

Interested in EAP?

Freshman and transfer students interested in our early assurance programs may learn more by selecting a program or emailing the Office of Admissions at admissions@sbu.edu.

Current SBU students interested in early assurance programs should email the Office of Graduate Admissions at gradsch@sbu.edu or call (716) 375-2021.