Combined Bachelors/Masters Degree Programs

The combined bachelors/masters degree programs provide academically talented students an opportunity to complete a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in a shorter time span. These programs allow students to double-count graduate courses for both degrees, thus reducing the time it would normally take.

Combined Bachelor’s/Master’s Degree Programs at Florida State University

College of Arts and Sciences

• Computer Science - BS/MS Program (pdf 14.72 kB)
• History - BA/MA Program
• Mathematics - BS/MS Program
• Philosophy - BA/MA Program
• Science Teaching - BS/MS Program
• Statistics - BS/MS Program

College of Communication

• Communication - BS/MS Program (Panama City Campus)

College of Criminology and Criminal Justice

• Criminology and Criminal Justice - BS/MS Program

College of Education

• Education of Students with Exceptionalities Program- BS/MS Program
• Recreation Management- BS/MS Program

College of Engineering

• Mechanical Engineering - BS/MS Program (5 years)
• Electrical Engineering - BS/MS Program (5 years)

College of Nursing

• Nursing - BSN/MSN Program

College of Social Sciences

• Public Health - BS/MS Program

Student Application Procedures

Qualified students interested in a combined degree program outside their undergraduate major or department should contact an advisor in that department.

FSU students normally apply to participate in a combined degree program in their junior or senior year, but may apply as early as the second semester of their sophomore year. If accepted, they should take the Graduate Record Examination in the first semester of their senior year. Students should make formal application for admission to graduate school during the last semester of their senior year, although some departments may have an earlier deadline.

Admission requirements

A student of senior standing or an upper-division honors student may carry graduate courses for undergraduate credit provided the student:

1. has earned either a grade point average (GPA) of 3.0, “B,” or better, or has made a combined score on the Graduate Record Examinations aptitude test of at least 1000,
2. carries a course load of no more than fifteen (15) semester hours,
3. students must have eligibility certified in the Office of the University Registrar,
4. has the advance approval of the dean, the department chair, and the instructor offering the course, prior to registration.

After approval up to twelve (12) semester hours may be counted toward a graduate degree at FSU, provided the course has not been counted toward a previous graduate degree.

Honors Students

Although each program determines its own qualification for participation, Honors Program students must have completed 60 semester hours of credit (90 credit hours for non-Honors Program students) in their undergraduate programs and earned a minimum 3.0 FSU GPA.

Transfer Students

Transfer students must have completed a minimum of two semesters (24 hours) at Florida State University and earned a minimum 3.0 FSU GPA. Interested students should contact an adviser in that department for specific information.

Department Procedures for the Development of a Combined Program

The Office of Graduate Studies and the Office of the Dean of Faculties have created a procedure guide PDF document for departments/programs to use when developing combined bachelor’s/master’s degree programs.

Click here to view the Department Procedures for developing combined bachelor’s/master’s degree programs. (PDF) Blackboard log-in required.

Click here to view the template for combined bachelor's/master's degree programs. (PDF) Blackboard log-in required.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is a combined bachelor’s and master’s degree program?
A: A combined bachelor’s and master’s degree program allows an approved student to complete one half (but no more than 12 semester hours) of the graduate course work while enrolled as an undergraduate. The approved graduate hours may satisfy degree requirements for both the bachelor’s and master’s degrees.

Q: Why would a student want to participate in a combined bachelor’s and master’s degree program?
A: The combined bachelor’s and master’s degree program allows students to explore graduate work before making the decision to pursue and/or complete a graduate degree. For students who decide to pursue a graduate degree, the combined program has the potential to save at least one full semester of graduate enrollment.

Q: At what point may a student enroll in graduate courses?
A: Students may apply as early as the second semester of their sophomore year or as late as their senior year. A student of senior standing or an upper-division honors student may carry graduate courses for undergraduate credit provided the student

1. has earned either a grade point average (GPA) of 3.0, "B," or better, or has made a combined score on the Graduate Record Examinations aptitude test of at least 1000;
2. carries a course load of no more than fifteen (15) semester hours; and
3. has the advance approval of the dean, the department chair, and the instructor offering the course, prior to registration. Students must have eligibility certified in the Office of the University Registrar before seeking approval of those listed in item 3).

Students who wish to receive graduate credit for such course work must obtain approval of the dean, the department chair, and the instructor offering the course, prior to registration for the graduate course. After approval, up to twelve (12) semester hours may be counted toward a graduate degree at The Florida State University, provided the course has not been counted toward a previous degree.

Q: What is required for approval to enroll in graduate course work to complete the undergraduate degree?
A: Although each program determines its own qualifications for participation, Honors Program students must have completed 60 semester hours of credit in their undergraduate programs (90 credit hours for non-Honors Program students) and earned a minimum 3.0 FSU GPA. Transfer students must have completed a minimum of two semesters (24 hours) at Florida State University and earned a minimum 3.0 FSU GPA. Interested students should contact an adviser in that department for specific information.

Q: What is required to have the graduate course work also count toward the master’s degree?
A: To apply graduate course work towards the undergraduate and graduate degree, students must be formally admitted to graduate standing at Florida State University. Check with the Graduate Coordinator of specific department for admission requirements. Minimum University requirements consist of 3.0 cumulative GPA in all work attempted while registered as an upper-division student or a score of 1000 on the combined verbal and quantitative portions of the GRE or a score of 470 on the GMAT (College of Business applicants only).

Q: If a student does not continue in graduate school, does the graduate work already taken still satisfy the undergraduate degree requirements?
A: Yes

Q: How does enrolling in a combined bachelor’s and master’s degree program affect financial aid?
A: Bright Futures and the Florida Prepaid College Program will pay the undergraduate portion of tuition for graduate courses taken as an undergraduate and the student will pay the remaining difference.

Q: Why would an undergraduate student want to pay additional tuition to enroll in graduate courses?
A: Undergraduate students who continue at the graduate level will have saved tuition on the graduate hours taken as an undergraduate because the cost of graduate hours is partially paid by undergraduate financial aid. In addition, there will be a savings in room and board since time spent in the graduate program is reduced by at least one semester because of graduate course work already completed at the undergraduate level.

Q: How does a student participate in a combined bachelor’s and master’s degree program?
A: The student should be in contact with his/her undergraduate adviser and complete the Combined Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree Program form.

Q: What if a student has an interest in creating a combined bachelor’s and master’s degree program that crosses two academic disciplines?
A: Undergraduate students should contact the Graduate Coordinator in the department in which they wish to complete the combined undergraduate and graduate degree program.