Combined B.A./M.A. Degree

Students who are looking ahead toward careers or post-baccalaureate education may wish to consider the combined bachelor’s degree–master’s degree programs offered jointly by the College and Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. In this joint program, students complete all requirements for the Bachelor of Arts and for the Master of Arts. The last two years of undergraduate study are integrated with the first year of graduate work, eliminating duplication of courses and, in some cases, reducing the time required to earn the two degrees. Successful completion of the BA/MA Program may lead to enhanced career employment opportunities, professional training, or doctoral studies.

BA/MA Programs are offered through a number of departments in the College, but not all. Please refer to either the Undergraduate Programs Bulletin or the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences Bulletin for existing BA/MA Programs.

B.A./M.A. Program Guidelines

Inquiries and published information:

1. The College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) section of the Undergraduate Programs Bulletin and the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (GRS) Bulletin have short descriptions of the individual BA/MA programs under the departmental listings.

2. Inquiries from outside the University should be directed to the Undergraduate Admissions Office, 881 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, MA 02215.

3. Each department has a designated BA/MA advisor who can be contacted for questions and advice about degree requirements and the plan of study. Please note that departmental requirements vary from 36-40 semester courses. In all cases there are eight courses required at the 500-level or above, and these courses must be passed with a grade of B- or better.

4. Students receive the BA and MA degrees simultaneously upon completion of the program.

Application and Admission:

1. The BA/MA Application Form is available to any currently enrolled CAS student in the GRS Admissions Office (705 Commonwealth Avenue, Suite 112). The BA/MA program is not open to students outside of CAS or Boston University Collaborative Degree Program (BUCOP) students.

2. You may apply at the conclusion of the sophomore year for admission into the program at the start of the junior year. Seniors may not apply to the B.A./M.A. Program.

3. Applicants must meet a GPA requirement of at least 3.0 through the end of the junior year. (Some departments may have higher requirements.)

4. The deadline for receipt of the BA/MA application is March 1 of the junior year. A Request to File Late Application form must be completed and signed by the department chairperson and submitted with an application that does not meet the deadline. This form is available in the GRS Admissions Office.

5. A second major field of study for the BA portion of the program is allowed only by petition to the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences.

Registration and Financial Aid:

Since federal regulations stipulate that persons receiving undergraduate financial aid must be registered in undergraduate programs, all BA/MA students will remain registered in CAS for eight semesters. (Students will, however, be able to enroll in graduate-level courses, as required by the program.) In this way, students will remain eligible for undergraduate forms of financial aid for at least eight semesters. BA/MA students continuing work toward one or both degrees will register with the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences upon completion of 32 courses (128 credit hours) in CAS.