The Liberal Studies Program and the Graduate School of Arts and Science (GSAS) offer Global Liberal Studies (GLS) students the opportunity to earn both the bachelor's degree and the master's degree in a number of departments in a shorter period of time and at less cost than is normally the case.

Qualifying students are typically accepted into a program toward the end of the sophomore year or the beginning of the junior year. In their remaining undergraduate semesters, they can then accelerate by taking some graduate courses during regular terms and/or during the summer. In the graduate portion of the program, they can qualify for a scholarship covering up to 50 percent of the tuition for the master's degree. The scholarship is only for one year.

The program is intended for students whose career goals will be furthered by graduate-level training but do not plan - at least not immediately - to go on for doctoral work in the field of their M.A. degree.

Curriculum

Students in the program must satisfy all of the requirements of both the bachelor's degree and the master's degree; there is no double-counting of courses. The main difference between the B.A./M.A. program and the typical process of taking two degrees without overlap is that students are allowed to take M.A. courses before they complete the B.A. degree.

In order to complete the program in five years, students are advised to complete a fourth of the M.A. requirements before the beginning of the fifth year. Students can accelerate more rapidly by taking additional graduate courses before they complete the B.A.

Admission and Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must have completed a minimum of 48 credits toward the bachelor's degree but not more than 96 credits or six semesters, whichever comes first (advanced standing credits may be counted for this purpose). The student must have a minimum 3.5 GPA for admission to, and continuation in, the B.A./M.A. program.

GSAS requires the submission of a formal graduate school application for admission to the B.A./M.A. program, but the usual GRE requirement and the application fee will be waived. Students will be officially admitted to the Graduate School when they have completed their undergraduate requirements, which must be no later than their eighth semester.

Scholarships and Financial Aid

The dual-degree program features a tuition scholarship ensuring that students pay for no more than 50 percent of the credits required for the master's portion of the program. The scholarship is provided on completion of the bachelor's degree. It is calculated on the basis of the remaining credits needed for the master's degree and the additional payments the student made in order to accelerate study while matriculated for the bachelor's degree (tuition for more than 18 points during a regular semester or for any summer graduate courses). The tuition scholarship will remain available for twelve months after the completion of the undergraduate degree. Once students matriculate in GSAS, they become eligible for services available only to graduate students, including special student loans.

Application Procedues

Students apply for admission to the B.A./M.A. Program through the Liberal Studies Advising Center (6th floor, 726 Broadway). They do not submit an application for admission to the Graduate School. All admissions advising and processing are handled by the Liberal Studies Advising Center.

To apply, Liberal Studies Advising asks the student to complete a special version of the GSAS admissions application (it is labeled "Application for Combined Bachelor's/Master's Program" and is available from the Liberal Studies Advising Center), two letters of recommendation, and a statement of purpose.

After the student has successfully completed the undergraduate requirements, the Liberal Studies Advising Center notifies GSAS Graduate Enrollment Services (GES) that the student may be admitted to the master's program. Liberal Studies Advising forwards the original application materials to GES. The Graduate School mails the student an official letter of admission to the master's program and information about the scholarship program.

The GSAS admissions requirement to take the GRE is waived for students in the B.A./M.A. program. However, students must still provide GES with an official and final copies of their academic transcripts showing proof of receipt of the bachelor's degree.

Advisement and Questions

General information and advisement about the program is available in the Liberal Studies Advising Center, 6th floor, 726 Broadway. As early as possible, students should discuss with an adviser how the program might fit into both their curricular program and their longer-range plans.

Questions about eligibility for, or application to, the B.A./M.A. Program should be directed to the Liberal Studies Advising Center.

Students are also encouraged to discuss their plans with their faculty adviser and with the Assistant Dean for Academic Advising.

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