Fulbright University Vietnam has officially established a strategic partnership with American University (Washington, D.C., USA)—a premier institution ranked among the Top 100 U.S. National Universities (#88 by U.S. News & World Report)—to realize its effort of rooting deeply in Vietnam while connecting to the world.
At the heart of this partnership is the Accelerated Pathway 4+1 program (a five-year Bachelor’s-to-Master’s pathway) designed for Economics majors. By integrating cross-level academic training between the two institutions, the program creates a seamless and optimized academic springboard for learners:
- Optimized curriculum and cost efficiency: Students complete their four-year undergraduate program at Fulbright while concurrently completing three Master’s-level courses at the Fulbright School of Public Policy and Management (FSPPM). Students then transition to American University to complete their Master’s degree in one year instead of the standard two-year timeline. This model reduces graduate study time by 50% and nearly halves the tuition cost (from $64,890 down to $33,423).
- Expanded international career opportunities: The Master’s in Economics at American University is STEM-designated, allowing international graduates to extend their Optional Practical Training (OPT) in the United States for up to three years, significantly enhancing their competitive edge in the global workforce.
- Seamless academic progression: This marks a pioneering milestone that allows Fulbright undergraduate students to directly access and earn graduate-level credits from the Fulbright School of Public Policy and Management—Vietnam’s leading center for public policy and leadership education.
Beyond the Accelerated Pathway 4+1, American University is committed to expanding academic opportunities for the broader Fulbright student community. Accordingly, undergraduate students across all academic disciplines who graduate with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher are guaranteed a 20% scholarship when pursuing Master’s degree programs at American University.
This strategic partnership reaffirms Fulbright’s ongoing commitment to expanding international partnerships, delivering world-class liberal arts education, and equipping generations of students with the competence to integrate globally and create lasting impact on the world stage.
