BA/MA Degree Requirements

BA/MA Degree Requirements

(for current UChicago College students)

Qualified students in the College who wish to pursue a joint BA/MA degree should consult first with their College Adviser, then with the Assistant Dean of Students for Admissions in the Division of the Social Sciences (Lindsey Weglarz). A detailed overview of the BA/MA policy in the Social Sciences Division is available on the Social Science Division website. 

Any questions about MAPSS can be directed to our Student Affairs Administrator (E.G. Enbar).

Degree Requirements and Logistics

BA/MA students must have completed all College Core requirements by the end of their third year. During the BA/MA year students must meet all MA degree requirements in MAPSS. Students must complete a total of 9 graduate courses, including our core course, “Perspectives in Social Science Analysis,” from the time they first matriculate in September; they must satisfy our graduate methods requirement; and they must submit a faculty-approved MA thesis.

By default, the 9 MA level courses can be double-counted as general elective credit towards the bachelor’s degree. BA/MA students may choose instead to double-count MA courses towards BA major or minor electives or requirements, with department approval. Questions regarding double-counting or degree logistics should be directed to Lindsey Weglarz, Assistant Dean of Students (lweglarz@uchicago.edu).

It may be possible to write a single thesis to meet requirements for both the MA degree and the undergraduate major. Please check this document, and request a petition from the Student Affairs Administrator in the MA program. Please note that students anticipating this should confirm their major approves when securing approval to apply to the BA/MA (see below under application requirements).

All BA/MA students must meet all BA requirements and graduate by June of their fourth year. BA/MA students may complete their thesis and graduate with the MA in the August. BA/MA students must graduate with the MA in August or they cannot receive the MA.

Application Process

• BA/MA students are required to have a 3.55 GPA or higher. There is no requirement for a minimum number of credits completed prior to applying (see above for degree logistics).

• BA/MA applicants apply through the regular MA application for admission but indicate their intention for the joint degree on the appropriate question. BA/MA applicants are not required to provide the GRE and automatically receive an application fee waiver. Students must submit a transcript as part of their application, but an unofficial transcript from my.uchicago.edu is fine at the time of application; if admitted and matriculating we will need an official transcript. 

• In addition to the standard MA application requirements, BA/MA applicants must submit an approval form (available in the online application) signed by the Director of Undergraduate Studies of the College major. This for confirms their eligibility and allows the major to specify how many, if any, MA courses can count towards major requirements or electives. This form must be submitted as part of the online application. Students anticipating counting MA coursework towards a College minor must also submit a form.

• Applications are due February 1 of the winter quarter of your third year in the College.

Tuition and Aid

BA/MA students are assessed graduate level tuition, but retain their College financial aid package and are therefore not eligible for funding from the MA program. Interested students should speak with their financial aid advisor if they have concerns regarding their aid. Odyssey Scholars: Please contact Assistant Dean of Students Lindsey Weglarz for more information regarding aid.