Accelerated Degree Programs

For additional information on the accelerated programs described below, the student should consult the Associate Dean for Undergraduate Programs in the School of Arts and Sciences.

Three-Year Bachelor's Degree Program

Students of exceptional achievement may fulfill all requirements for the bachelor's degree in three years in residence. This may be accomplished by over-electing six courses each semester after the first (a cumulative 3.0 grade-point average or a 3.0 grade-point average in the previous semester is required to over-elect), plus completing five courses at Catholic University during summer sessions. This recognition is not available for students who transfer to Catholic University from other institutions. The number of courses brought in at matriculation (through Advanced Placement and similar programs) is limited for students seeking this recognition, as is the number of transfer courses after Catholic University matriculation. Consult the Associate Dean for details.

Accelerated Bachelors to Masters Programs (4+1 Programs)

The School of Arts and Sciences offers students with outstanding academic records (minimum 3.5 grade-point average) the possibility of beginning work toward a master's degree during the junior year. In such cases, up to four courses may, with approval, be applied to both undergraduate and graduate degree requirements. However, all requirements for the bachelor's degree must be completed before credits toward the master's degree may be applied, and all requirements for the master's degree must be completed within five years of matriculation.

Application should be made by the end of the sophomore year. A 3.5 cumulative grade-point average is required at the time of application. Juniors and seniors take four graduate courses, ideally one per semester of the junior and senior year. No student may take more than two (2) graduate courses in one semester while completing the requirements for the bachelor's degree. See arts-sciences.catholic.edu/undergraduate/advising-handbook/formbama.cfm for additional details.

Accelerated Bachelors to Masters programs are offered to students in all bachelor's degree programs for the following master's degrees:

Bachelor to Master of Arts in Applied Economics

The 4+1 Bachelor to Master of Arts (M.A.) in Applied Economics is offered to students pursuing a Bachelor’s degree at Catholic University who have taken three pre-required courses (Principles of Macroeconomics - Econ 101/ECON 103, Principles of Microeconomics - Econ 102/104 or HSSS 102, and Statistics for Business and Economics - Econ 323) and who have a GPA of 3.5 and above. Students in this program will take four, 3-credit, 500-level graduate Applied Economics courses during undergrad and count those 12 credits towards both the bachelor’s degree and the Applied Economics degree.

Bachelor to Master of Public Policy

The 4+1 Bachelor to Master of Public Policy (M.P.P.) Program is designed for undergraduate students to begin working towards a Master’s degree in Public Policy while completing their Bachelor’s degree. Students in this program will take four, 3-credit, 500-level graduate courses during undergrad and count those 12 credits toward both the bachelor’s degree and the M.P.P. degree.

Bachelor to Master of Science in Library and Information Science

The 4+1 Bachelor to Master of Science in Library and Information Science (M.S.L.I.S.) Program is designed for undergraduate students to begin working towards a Master’s degree in Library and Information Science while completing their Bachelor’s degree. Students in this program will take four, 3-credit, 500-level graduate LSC courses during undergrad and count those 12 credits toward both the bachelor’s degree and the M.S.L.I.S. degree. See https://lis.catholic.edu/academics/bachelor-to-masters/index.html for additional details.

Additional Bachelors to Masters programs are offered to students in specific bachelor's degree programs, as detailed below.

4+1 B.S. in Science or Engineering discipline to M.S. in Applied Physics and Nanotechnology

Students pursuing an undergraduate degree in any Science or Engineering discipline or in Mathematics at CUA can opt for the “4+1 Track” option for the M.S. in Applied Physics and Nanotechnology. In this track, after successful completion of their B.S. degree, the student will be able to earn an M.S. degree in two additional semesters or in approximately nine months. For the “4+1 Track” option, a student must take 4 courses stipulated by the Applied Physics and Nanotechnology program (12 credit hours or more) with good standing in CUA (cumulative GPA of 3.0 or more). Thesis option will not be allowed in the “4+1 track”; the students will take an additional 18 credit hours of coursework from the list of approved courses. These courses will be chosen in consultation with the program director following the completion of B.S. curriculum. For more information, please see https://physics.catholic.edu/academics/graduate/applied-physics-nanotechnology/index.html

4+1 B.S. in Biology to M.S. in Biotechnology

The 4+1 B.S. in Biology to M.S. in Biotechnology Program is designed for undergraduate students to begin working towards a Master of Science degree in Biotechnology while completing their Bachelor of Science degree in Biology. Students in this program will take four, 3-credit graduate Biotechnology courses while still undergraduates and count those 12 credits toward both the bachelor’s degree and the M.S. degree.

See https://biology.catholic.edu/academics/graduate/ms-biotechnology/index.html for additional details.

4+1 B.A. or B.S. in Mathematics to M.S. in Mathematics

The 4+1 B.S. to M.S. or B.A. to M.S. in Mathematics is designed for strong and motivated undergraduate students to allow them to complete a Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics in four years and a Master of Science degree in one additional year. Students in this program will have the option of choosing a theory track or an industry track. The theory track is oriented towards students who are interested in mathematics as an abstract discipline and pursuing a Ph.D. in mathematics or in a related discipline. Core coursework for this track includes fundamental topics in advanced abstract mathematics. The industry track is designed for students interested in obtaining employment after their M.S. degree who intend to use mathematics in engineering, computer science, medicine, business, industry, social science, or other fields. Mathematics majors can apply to the 4+1 program as early as the second semester of sophomore year, but no later than the summer before their senior year. We will advise students about the program as early as their freshman year so they understand the expectations and requirements. The graduate committee will review each application on its own merit.

The B.S. in Mathematics requires 40 courses, and the M.S. in Mathematics requires 10 courses. Students in the 4+1 program can take as many as four graduate courses in mathematics (with at most two from a related field) that will count towards the B.S. (or B.A.) and the M.S. in Mathematics, enabling them to complete both degrees with as few as 46 courses total. Students who successfully complete the requirements of the 4+1 program will receive a B.S. (or B.A.) in Mathematics at the end of the fourth year, and an M.S. in Mathematics at the end of the fifth year. Each of these tracks will include a thesis option, which accounts for 6 credits with the corresponding reduction of the course work. Standard university guidelines for eligibility (see https://arts-sciences.catholic.edu/academics/undergraduate-programs/advising-handbook/formbama.html) will apply, in addition to the following:

GPA of at least 3.25 in math courses or permission of the Graduate Committee
Completion of Calculus I, II, III, and solid progress (or completion) in Math 248
At least one letter of recommendation from a math faculty member
A statement of purpose

4+1 B.S. in Mathematics to M.A. in Secondary Education

The 4+1 B.S./M.A. in Mathematics Secondary Education program is designed for undergraduate students who are interested in a teaching career to complete both a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics and a Master of Arts degree in Secondary Education. The program is completed in five academic years plus one summer. During the first four years, students complete their B.S. in Mathematics requirements. In the summer following their fourth year and in their fifth academic year, students complete the requirements for the M.A. in Secondary Education. A total of 50 courses must be completed, including two graduate courses in Mathematics and two graduate courses in Education that will count toward both degrees. Students who wish to enroll in the 4+1 program will apply to the Teacher Education Program at the end of their sophomore year. If accepted into the program, they will be advised by faculty from the Department of Education and the Department of Mathematics. In exceptional cases, students will be able to apply during their junior year. Students will be evaluated by faculty from the Department of Education and the Department of Mathematics at the end of their junior year to assess their potential to complete Master’s level courses in Education and Mathematics. In addition to supporting recommendations from faculty, students must maintain a 3.0 GPA in Education and Mathematics courses, including at least a grade of B- in Math 248, Foundations of Advanced Mathematics, to qualify for admission into the graduate program.

4+1 B.A. in English to M.A. in Secondary Education

The 4+1 Bachelor to Master of Arts (M.A.) in Secondary Education is offered to students pursuing a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in English who are interested in a teaching career. The program is completed in five academic years plus one summer. During the first four years, students complete their B.A. in English and begin working on their educational curriculum. In the summer following their fourth year and in their fifth academic year, students complete the requirements for the M.A. in Secondary Education. A total of 50 courses must be completed. Students in this program will take four, 3-credit graduate courses during their undergraduate studies. These four courses will count both towards the B.A. and the M.A. degree.

Students will apply to the Teacher Education Program at the end of the sophomore year. If accepted into the program, they will be advised by faculty from the Department of Education and the Department of English. In order to be admitted to take graduate level English courses during their senior year, students will need to earn a grade of A- or better in at least one of the Intensive Reading Courses (i.e., ENG 331, ENG 332, or ENG 333). Graduate classes in English will be selected for each student in consultation with the Education program adviser and the DGS in English, who will approve the course selection.

4+1 B.A. in History to M.A. in Secondary Education with a Concentration in Secondary Social Studies

The 4+1 Bachelor to Master of Arts (M.A.) in Secondary Social Studies Education is offered to students pursuing a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in History who are interested in a teaching career. The program is completed in five academic years plus one summer. During the first four years, students complete their B.A. in History and begin working on their educational curriculum and on classes that prepare them to teach the different social sciences included in the social studies curriculum. In the summer following their fourth year and in their fifth academic year, students complete the requirements for the M.A. in Secondary Education. A total of 50 courses must be completed. Students in this program will take four, 3-credit graduate courses during their undergraduate studies. These four courses will count both towards the B.A. and the M.A. degree.

Students will apply to the Teacher Education Program at the end of the sophomore year. If accepted into the program, they will be advised by faculty from the Department of Education and the Department of History. In order to be admitted to take graduate level History courses, students will require a 3.5 GPA. Graduate classes in History will be selected for each student in consultation with the Education program adviser and the DGS in History, who will approve the course selection.

4+1 B.A. in Politics to M.A. in Politics

4+1 B.A. in Criminology or Sociology to M.A. in Sociology

4+1 B.A. in Psychology to M.A. in Psychology

4+1 B.A. in History to M.A. in History

A student intending to apply to the program should meet with the Director of Undergraduate Studies (DUGS) in the Department of History to plan a series of graduate-level courses to be taken during the junior and senior years and to be designated as counting toward both B.A. and M.A. degrees. Students should be aware that the eventual M.A. degree will be in one of the areas offered by the department (Medieval Europe, Modern Europe, Religion and Society in the Late Medieval and Early Modern World, United States), and so the courses planned must fall into the area that the applicant intends to study at the master’s level.

Six-Year B.A.- J.D. Program (Law)

A cooperative program of the School of Arts and Sciences and Catholic University's Columbus School of Law allows undergraduates to apply for admission to the Columbus School of Law after three years in the School of Arts and Sciences. The program is open to all undergraduates regardless of major field, but enrollment is limited. Acceptance depends upon a superior undergraduate academic record, appropriate score on the Law School Admission Test, and an estimate of the student's ability to pursue the study of law after the junior year. Initial steps to enter the program should be taken before the end of the sophomore year. It is preferable to plan for this option already during the freshman year. A 3.6 grade-point average is required. Students apply to the law school in the second semester of the junior year. Successful candidates receive the B.A. degree at the end of the fourth year and the J.D. degree two years thereafter.

During the fourth year of study (which is the senior year of the B.A. program and the first year of the J.D. program at the Law School), students are fully matriculated in the Law School and are required to pay the full tuition and fees charged for the J.D. program, less any financial aid or scholarship awarded.

Students will be considered for financial aid and competitive scholarships at the Law School, but eligibility under this program does not guarantee an award.