BA/MA Programs

The College of Arts & Sciences and the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences jointly offer a number of Bachelor of Arts/Master of Arts (BA/MA) programs, which enable qualified students entering their junior year to pursue undergraduate and graduate studies concurrently. (See main CAS Programs page or main GRS Programs page for programs of study that offer a BA/MA option.)

Students in a BA/MA program, in consultation with their BA/MA faculty advisor, develop a plan of study that focuses on greater depth and integration of concepts in the chosen discipline. The number of required courses ranges from 36 to 40, minimizing duplication of coursework while ensuring that students complete a full BA and a full MA experience, including theses or capstone components.

Important Notes for Prospective BA/MA Students

  • Planning ahead. Prospective students are urged to contact the department BA/MA advisor well in advance of application to begin development of their plan of study.
  • Departmental requirements. Detailed statements of departmental requirements are available from the BA/MA advisor in the appropriate department.
  • Limited to certain areas of study. In most cases, the BA/MA program restricts major fields of study to those fields in which the MA is offered in the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences; be aware that the BA/MA program is limited to certain areas of study and is not available in all programs.
  • Dual degree students. The BA/MA program is not available to Boston University dual degree program students.
  • BA portion. The BA/MA program is designed primarily for students with one CAS BA major. BA/MA applications from students with two or more CAS majors will be reviewed by the GRS Associate Dean for satisfactory academic progress, upon a recommendation of admission from the department to which a student applies.
  • Restricted to CAS students, with caveats. The BA/MA program is restricted to students enrolled in the College of Arts & Sciences. Students enrolled in other undergraduate colleges at Boston University must apply for an intra-University transfer into the College of Arts & Sciences before making an application to this program.

Admissions

  • BA/MA Program Applications are available at the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences Admissions office (705 Commonwealth Avenue, Suite 112), or you may request an application be emailed to you by contacting grs@bu.edu.
  • Applicants must apply before March 1 of their junior year.
  • Applicants must meet a GPA requirement of at least 3.0 through the end of their junior year (some departments may have higher requirements; please consult with the department BA/MA advisor).
  • Seniors may not apply.

Graduation

Students receive both the BA and the MA degrees simultaneously and only after completing both programs’ requirements. Since two diplomas are issued, separate graduation applications must be submitted—a graduation application for the BA filed with CAS and a graduation application for the MA filed with GRS.

  • The CAS BA Declaration of Intent to Graduate is available in CAS Academic Advising at 100 Bay State Road, on the fourth floor. This form must be filed no later than one year before the intended date of graduation.
  • The GRS MA Diploma Application and deadlines are available at the GRS Graduation Information webpage, or at the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences Records office (705 Commonwealth Avenue, Suite 112), or you may request an application be emailed to you by contacting grs@bu.edu.