Joint Degree Programs

In conjunction with several of the professional schools and many of the graduate departments, the University offers a number of joint degrees to students in the College. Interested students should meet with their advisers to discuss these programs.

Professional Option Program. The Irving B. Harris Graduate School of Public Policy Studies offers a program to undergraduate students interested in early completion of an advanced professional degree. Students apply for admission to the Harris School in their third year and, if admitted, spend their final undergraduate year pursuing a normal program there. Upon satisfactory completion of that year and of all College requirements, they are awarded the bachelor's degree by the College. Normally the degree is in "professional option" (the Harris School) rather than in a departmental concentration. Students who wish to apply to this professional option program should consult their advisers for more detailed information as early as possible (preferably early in the second year) so that all College requirements can be met. Further information is available from the Office of the Dean of Students in the Harris School.

Joint Bachelor's/Master's Programs. Joint B.A.-M.A./M.S./M.A.T. programs permit qualified students to enter upon a course of graduate study while also completing their work in the College. Any department may decide to offer a joint program to those students accepted by the faculty. Applicants must have completed a significant portion of their undergraduate program before they can apply to master's level programs. Generally this means that students are admitted to candidacy for the master's degree during their fourth year in the College. During this year of graduate work, students will be billed for tuition at the graduate rate. Students should consult their College advisers, as well as the appropriate concentration chairman or program coordinator, for detailed information about this option.