BA/MA Applicants

BA/MA Programs 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 Advisor, then with the Assistant 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 four BA/MA programs:

  • BA/MA in Social Sciences (four-year degree)
  • BA/MA in International Relations (four-year degree)
  • BA/MA in Middle Eastern Studies (five-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 Assistant Dean of Students for Admissions in the Division of the Social Sciences (Lindsey Weglarz).

Degree Requirements and Logistics

BA/MA students must have completed all College Core requirements by the end of their third year. Students enrolling in a four-year BA/MA degree are dual enrolled in the College and the Social Sciences Division during their fourth year. Students enrolling in a five-year program are dual enrolled during their fourth year in the College/first year in the MA, graduate from the College at the end of their fourth year, and then are solely enrolled in the MA program during their final year.

During the BA/MA year students must meet all MA degree requirements in their MA program. For a four-year BA/MA (MAPSS and International Relations), students must complete a total of 9 graduate courses and submit a faculty-approved MA thesis. Students in a five-year BA/MA (Middle Eastern Studies) must complete a total of 18 graduate courses and submit a faculty-approved MA thesis.

By default, the 9 MA level courses during the dual enrollment year (fourth year) 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 approval of the Director of Undergraduate Studies for their major/minor. Questions regarding double-counting or degree logistics should be directed to Lindsey Weglarz, Assistant Dean of Students (lweglarz@uchicago.edu).

In a four-year BA/MA it may be possible to write a single thesis to meet requirements for both the MA degree and the undergraduate major. 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 in MAPSS and International Relations may complete their thesis and graduate with the MA in the August. Four-year BA/MA students must graduate with the MA in August or they cannot receive the MA.

Economics Majors: 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.

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, Assistant Dean of Students, at lweglarz@uchicago.edu.

Application Process

BA/MA students are recommended to have a 3.55 GPA or higher. There is no requirement for a minimum number of credits completed prior to applying (see below 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. 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
  • Two (2) reference letters
  • 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.

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:

  • MAPSS Economics
  • International Relations

Application Deadlines

Application deadlines for the BA/MA are the same as for all other master’s applicants:

  • November 15 (Early Action)
  • January 9 (Round 1)
  • May 1 (Round 2)

 BA/MA applicants are strongly encouraged to apply during Early Action or Round 1, as Round 2 is on a space available basis only.

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 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.

Students enrolling in a five-year BA/MA program receive a tuition scholarship in the final year of the program based on their performance in the initial 9 MA courses. Students in the fifth year of the BA/MA program are considered only MA students at that point and scholarship aid is awarded according to the rubric in use for all MA students entering their second year in that program.