BA/MA Combined Degree Program

Bachelor's-Master's (BA/MA) Program

Undergraduate psychology majors at the University of Massachusetts Lowell who have a GPA of 3.0 or better are invited to apply to the BA/MA program, allowing students to begin graduate level coursework in our Community Social Psychology (CSP) Master’s Program while still pursuing their bachelor's degree. Up to 6 credits of graduate (500 level or higher) courses completed with a B grade or better may be used by the student to count toward both the Bachelor’s and Master's degrees.

Application to the BA/MA Program

Application is typically submitted during the student's second semester of their junior year to allow adequate time for the student to take maximum advantage of the opportunity to take graduate courses and double-count these graduate credits, while still staying within the maximum of 45 psychology credits allowable for the undergraduate degree in psychology. Although it is highly recommended that students submit their application during their junior year, application materials can actually be submitted at any time prior to graduation.  Applicants are requested to use the standard paper application form and submit requisite materials to the Office of Graduate Admissions (Dugan Hall - UML South). Application forms and details on applying to graduate school can be found at BA/MA Application Packet (pdf).

As additional advantages, students applying under the BA/MA option do not have to pay the standard application fee and do not have to take any of the standardized tests usually required of applicants.  The decision to accept a BA/MA applicant is based on three factors:

1. A solid undergraduate record, with an overall GPA of 3.0 or better
2. Strong letters of recommendation: three are required, and we expect that at least two of these should be from psychology faculty at UMass Lowell.
3. A personal statement that clearly describes the student's interest in our Community Social Psychology program and how it fits with the students educational and professional goals.

Additional Information from Graduate Admissions for BA/MA Students

1. Students admitted to our BA/MA program are accepted on a conditional basis with the requirement that students receive their bachelor’s degree at the end of their senior year and graduate with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.  If students do not meet this requirement, their master’s degree candidacy will be voided and they would be required to re-apply via the traditional application process.
2. BA/MA students must complete their bachelor’s degree first before graduate admissions can change their status to that of a fully matriculated graduate student.
3. BA/MA students must also register for graduate courses in the semester immediately following their graduation for the bachelor’s degree.  Failure to do so will invalidate their acceptance into the master’s program.

The combined degree program is advantageous to students who know they want to pursue a graduate psychology degree while still an undergraduate and want to save both time and money.  For more information, please refer to the graduate catalog.