BA MA Applicants
Qualified students in the College who wish to pursue a joint BA/MA degree should consult first with their College Advisor, then with the Associate Dean of Students for Admissions in the Division of the Social Sciences (Lindsey Weglarz). Interested UChicago students should fill out our BA/MA interest form to be reminded of deadlines, updates to the program, and other items.
The Social Sciences Division offers two BA/MA programs:
- BA/MA in Social Sciences (four-year degree)
- BA/MA in International Relations (four-year degree)
Important note: the BA/MA joint degree is different from 4+1 (Advanced Scholars) enrollment options. Students with questions regarding the differences should contact the Associate Dean of Students for Admissions in the Division of the Social Sciences (Lindsey Weglarz).
Eligibility
The Division of the Social Sciences allows for substantial credit sharing between the MA program and the undergraduate program (see below). Because of this, we do not set strict eligibility requirements for BA/MA students besides having completed at least 3300 credits in the College by the time they will begin the joint enrollment year. However, to be competitive for admission, we make the following recommendations:
- Students are strongly recommended have or will have completed all College Core requirements by the end of their third year.
- Students should have completed all undergraduate major requirements, or have a feasible and approved plan to double count credits from the MA program towards the major.
- Students are recommended, but not required, to have at least a 3.55 GPA at the time they apply.
Degree Requirements
During the BA/MA year students must meet all MA degree requirements in their MA program. This will include a total of 9 graduate courses and submission of a faculty-approved MA thesis.
Credit Sharing
The Division of the Social Sciences sets no limits on the number of MA credits that can be applied towards the undergraduate degree. Credits can be shared in two ways:
- As general elective credit (default).
- As major elective credit, by approval of the Director of Undergraduate Studies for the major.
Credits cannot be counted towards the MA and more than one major. Questions regarding double-counting or degree logistics should be directed to Lindsey Weglarz, Associate Dean of Students (lweglarz@uchicago.edu).
Thesis Sharing
It may be possible for a BA/MA student to write a single thesis to meet requirements for both the MA degree and the undergraduate major. This is at the discretion of the Director of Undergraduate Studies for the College major, not the MA program. All MA thesis requirements must be met regardless of whether the thesis is used to meet undergraduate thesis requirements. Students anticipating writing one thesis to meet both requirements should confirm their major approves when securing approval to apply to the BA/MA (see below under application requirements).
Other Dual Enrollment Logistics
Students enrolling in a four-year BA/MA degree are dual enrolled in the College and the Social Sciences Division during their fourth year. In the event a student has an anticipated College graduation date that is Autumn or Winter during the BA/MA year, they will be enrolled as a standard graduate student to complete the MA program. If they received financial aid from the College during their final year in the College, the Division of the Social Sciences will match the per-quarter tuition scholarship for the final quarter or two of enrollment. The Division cannot cover fees, health insurance, or living expenses. Students requesting aid for the master-only enrollment quarters will be required to provide a letter from College Aid confirming their scholarship amount.
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 but they must graduate with the MA in August or they cannot receive the MA.
Tuition and Aid
BA/MA students are assessed graduate level tuition during the dual enrollment year (fourth year) but retain their College financial aid package (if they have one). They 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.
Additional Logistics Information for International Relations
The Committee on International Relations allows for BA/MA students to count prior coursework towards their program distribution requirements. This does not mean students can take fewer graduate level courses during their BA/MA year, but does allow them increased flexibility in designing their MA curriculum. For example, if a student has previously completed 3 courses that are listed as meeting requirements for the CIR field of study “Research Methods in the Social Sciences”, even if they enrolled in the undergraduate section, they would need only complete three courses in their second field of study. Their remaining four graduate courses could be for any field of study. All BA/MA students must successfully complete 9 graduate courses during their joint year regardless of whether prior coursework is being used to satisfy the program distribution requirement. Students with questions should reach out Lindsey Weglarz, Associate Dean of Students, at lweglarz@uchicago.edu.
BA/MA applicants apply during their third year in the College through the regular MA application for admission. Prospective joint students indicate their intention for the joint degree on the appropriate question. Application requirements include:
- Completed online application
- Unofficial transcripts for all post-secondary institutions attended
- Resume/CV
- Candidate statement
- Short answer essay (see candidate statement page for prompt)
- 15-20 page writing sample (can be two shorter papers; Psychology and Economics applicants can submit a single shorter paper – see guidelines)
- Two (2) reference letters, preferably from faculty or instructors
- Director of Undergraduate Studies approval form (see below)
- Proposed curriculum document (MAPSS-Economics and International Relations only, see below)
Application fees and GRE scores are not required for BA/MA applicants.
Director of Undergraduate Studies Approval
The approval form must be signed by the Director of Undergraduate Studies for a student’s College major. This form confirms student eligibility and allows the major to specify how many, if any, MA courses can count towards major requirements or electives. If a student has more than one major additional forms are required. Students anticipating counting MA coursework towards a College minor must also submit a form.
MAPSS-Economics BA/MA applicants: Students interested in Economics must provide additional materials to the Economics Department to receive approval to apply to the BA/MA. Materials that should be emailed to Julie Wong (juliew@uchicago.edu) include the Approval to Apply for BA/MA Program form, a copy of their transcript, the coursework plan form, outlining how they will complete their BA degree and then satisfy their MA requirements, a brief description of the field and topic of their MA thesis, and a brief description of their research experience.
Applicants to the MAPSS-Economics BA/MA are not required to meet with the Economics Undergraduate Program Directors before applying. However, students with questions regarding the program or application are encouraged to meet with them as needed. It may also be the case that the program directors call upon students to meet with them if need be.
Proposed Curriculum Document (International Relations (CIR) and MAPSS Economics only)
This document should explain the coursework they intend to take and outline how they will complete their BA degree and satisfy MA requirements. Download the form:
Application Deadlines
Application deadlines for the BA/MA are the same as for all other master’s applicants. BA/MA applicants are strongly encouraged to apply during Early Action or Round 1, as Round 2 is on a space available basis only.