The Joint A.B./A.M. Program

If you are an exceptional student who brings to the University a definite commitment to a field of study in the College of Arts & Sciences and a demonstrated capacity for intensive work, you may be able to complete simultaneously the Bachelor of Arts and the Master of Arts degrees within a four-year period. The joint A.B./A.M. program is open to students approved by their departments, after completing 9 or more units of 300-level work with high attainment. Eligible students usually enter the College with some college credits already earned and/or carry more than the normal course load in regular semesters and, as appropriate, in summer school.

The program is designed for students able to work in their chosen fields at a serious, professional level. Consequently, applicants should exhibit academic performance represented by a clear B (3.00) average throughout their programs of study, and in courses within the major field or their prerequisites no grade lower than B–.  A student in the College who has achieved these academic standards and completed 9 or more units of advanced (300 level or above) course work should consult with the chair of the major department as early as possible in the junior year. Only in exceptional cases will candidates be admitted to the A.B./A.M. program after their fifth semester of study. If the department encourages candidacy, the student should confer with the Assistant Registrar of Graduate Arts & Sciences to assure completion of necessary procedures.

Once the projected course work and other requirements stipulated in the statement of intent have been approved by the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences, the student may embark upon the requirements described below: Requirements for the joint A.B./A.M. are the following:

1. At least 135 units of college and/or graduate school course work, including all academic and residency requirements for the A.B.

2. At least 30 units of graduate (400- and 500-level) course work in the major field beyond the minimum required for the A.B. by that department. All courses offered toward the graduate degree must be passed with a grade of B or better and may not be counted toward the major.

3. No more than 9 of the 30 graduate units should be earned in independent study, thesis preparation, or research.

4. Completion of a thesis and/or special examination such that the department can certify that the student has achieved the level of competence normally expected of candidates for the A.M. Departments may, at their discretion, add requirements such as proficiency in foreign languages.

As in all cases, actual award of each degree will be contingent on successful completion of all requirements for that degree. It is expected that A.B./A.M. students will receive both degrees on the same date. On rare occasions, a student who needs only to finish incomplete course work or final preparation of a Master’s thesis in order to complete the A.M. requirements may be permitted to receive the A.B. degree one semester prior to the A.M. degree. If the outstanding Master’s work is not completed within one semester,  the student will no longer be part of the A.B./A.M. program, but will become subject to the requirements in force for other Master’s students in the discipline in question.  Extensions of this nature will be granted only with the concurrence of the major department and the Dean of the Graduate School