Bryn Mawr College

The Combined A.B. / M.A. Program

The combined A.B. / M.A. program lets the unusually well-prepared undergraduate student work toward a master's degree while still completing her bachelor's degree.

Students in this program complete the same requirements for each degree as do students who undertake the A.B. and then the M.A. sequentially, but are offered the unique opportunity to work toward both degrees concurrently and to count up to two courses towards both degrees.

Who is eligible for the combined A.B. / M.A. Program?
Both Bryn Mawr and Haverford undergraduates may participate in this program. Eligible students must present an overall grade point average of at least 3.40 and an undergraduate grade point average of at least 3.70 in the subject of the proposed master's degree. Each department has its own procedures for identifying prospective candidates. If you are interested, consult your major adviser or department chair.

In which subjects may students earn the master's degree?
With the department's approval, students may work towards the master's degree in those subjects in which the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences offers a master's degree. Normally, the Master's will be closely allied to the student's undergraduate major. Currently, Bryn Mawr offers graduate degrees in Chemistry, Classical and Near Eastern Archaeology, Clinical Developmental Psychology, French, Greek, Roman and Classical Studies, History of Art, Mathematics, Physics, and Russian. Within the last 5 years, students who have completed the combined A.B. / M.A. have earned their M.A. in Chemistry, French, History of Art and Math.

How long does the program take?
Depending on a student's situation, she might earn both the A.B. and M.A. degrees within four years or might spread her work over five years. Significant advanced planning is needed to complete the program in four years, because it normally requires that students amass four extra undergraduate units before the start of the junior year (see below). There are also financial aid implications for students who take five years to complete the program. McBride Scholars and other special students whose curriculum does not conform to the normal four-year baccalaureate program may propose alternative time-lines.

If I take five years, when do I get my degrees?
You will complete your undergraduate degree requirements within the first four years and earn your A.B. at the end of the fourth year, then get your M.A. at the end of the fifth.

How many courses must a student complete in total?
Each student needs six courses for a master's degree and 32 courses for a bachelor's. But since students can count as many as two courses towards both degrees, many complete the program with only 36 courses total. Students who want to complete both degrees within four years can accumulate these 36 units in any combination of the following ways:

1. Applying up to four units of undergraduate credit from work completed in high school earned via the AP, IB, or A-level exams or as transfer credit.
2. Enrolling in an overload of five undergraduate courses during any of her first four semesters at the College. Please note that students enrolled in even a single graduate course may not enroll in more than four courses total during that semester.
3. Earning up to four units of credit during summer school.

Are there course load restrictions?
Yes! In general, students should not plan to take more than two units of graduate work during the junior year. Any applicant who wishes to take more that year must gain the explicit approval of her department, the Undergraduate Curriculum Committee, and the Graduate Dean.

Because students enrolled in even a single graduate course may not enroll in more than four courses total during that semester, most successful applicants will have earned 20 undergraduate units before the start of the junior year.

What courses can count towards both undergraduate and graduate credit?
Students may count two of six graduate courses toward the A.B. These two courses may be full graduate courses or advanced undergraduate courses (300-level or above) that have been modified to fit the requirements of a graduate course (see below). The faculty member will submit both a numerical "undergraduate" grade to the Registrar and an evaluation form to the Graduate School .

How is an advanced undergraduate course modified to fit the requirements of a graduate course?
Any 300- or 400-level course, either required by the major or an elective, may be presented towards the master's degree, provided that the student completes graduate-level work for the course. Before beginning any such course, a student should always consult with the instructor and the graduate chair or adviser about any extra requirements for graduate credit. The Graduate School will grant credit for this work only when the instructor's report to the Graduate School certifies that it meets graduate-level expectations and has been approved by the department.

Must all graduate courses be earned in residence at Bryn Mawr?
Students may enroll in graduate courses at the University of Pennsylvania via our reciprocal agreement and may also earn graduate credit on the Bryn Mawr College Summer Program in Avignon . For work done on any other campus, consult the graduate adviser and Dean of the Graduate School before enrolling in any courses.

When should I apply to the program?
A student enrolled in at least her fourth semester who has completed significant work in her major subject and who presents the requisite grade point averages may apply. Applications must be approved BEFORE students begin any graduate work. Applications from students hoping to complete both degrees in four years will be considered in the spring of the sophomore year or, at the latest, in the fall of the junior year. Students who plan to complete the program in five years may apply as late as the fall of the senior year.

How do I apply?
Any interested student should begin by talking with her major adviser and the graduate adviser in the field of her proposed master's degree. She should also consult her dean. These conversations should take place in the sophomore year or, at the latest, the fall of the junior year.

To apply, the student and her adviser complete a Proposed Plan for A Combined AB/MA Program (form in the Dean's Office), which her dean reviews before submitting it to the Undergraduate Curriculum Committee. This committee, which meets regularly throughout the fall and spring semesters, must approve the plan before forwarding it to the Graduate Council, which considers applications in the first week of every month throughout the fall and spring semesters. After approval by the Curriculum Committee, students will complete a full application to the Graduate School .

If I'm accepted to the program, how do I register every semester?
You will register for your undergraduate courses as usual via the Registrar's Office and with the Office of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences for your graduate courses. Dual records will be maintained. The evaluation forms on all work completed for the higher degree will be kept in the Graduate Office. The Registrar's Office will notify the Graduate Office when the work towards the A.B. has been completed and, if the M.A. is not received simultaneously, the student will register with the Graduate Office for the remaining graduate work.

What grades would show on my transcript?
You would receive numerical grades for every course that you use towards your undergraduate degree, including those that also count towards the graduate degree. You will receive a grade of "S" for every other graduate course.

Would I still be considered an undergraduate?
After a student has been accepted into the program and throughout the first four years of study, she remains an "undergraduate" with respect to tuition, financial aid, housing, organized student activities, honor code, and primary advising.

If you complete your baccalaureate degree after four years and continue to work on your master's for a fifth year, you become a fully matriculated student in the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences subject to all its regulations and eligible for any of its privileges. That means you will pay graduate tuition and fees and be eligible for graduate rather than undergraduate financial aid. To apply for graduate aid, follow the instructions outlined on the GSAS website. Submit the completed forms to the Graduate Office no later than January 2 of your fourth year.