Undergraduate Study / Programs / Honors & Combined DegreesCombined Bachelor's / Master's Program
McCormick’s Combined Bachelor’s/Master’s Program allows undergraduates to pursue a bachelor’s degree (BS/BA) and master’s degree (MS) simultaneously, shortening the time required to earn a master’s degree.
With careful planning, students may commence work on their master’s degree before completing their bachelor’s degree. For some students, it may be possible to earn both degrees at the same time, in just four years.
Students can pursue master’s degrees in the same department as their bachelor’s or in a different department.
See our list of recommended undergraduate courses
Upcoming Online Information Sessions
Please consider joining an upcoming BS/MS, BA/MS online information session where we will discuss the program and application process.
- Online Information Session: September 30, 2024 @ 8 p.m.
REGISTER FOR THE SEPTEMBER 30 INFO SESSION
- Online Information Session: October 22, 2024 @ 8 p.m.
REGISTER FOR THE October 22 INFO SESSION
Application Process
Who Can Apply
All undergraduate students in McCormick and Weinberg with a GPA over 3.000 may apply.
When to Apply
McCormick and Weinberg undergraduates with a GPA over 3.000 are eligible to apply the quarter they will finish with 5 or fewer units remaining towards their BS or BA. Students must be enrolled in the Bachelor’s/Master’s program for a least one quarter before graduating with their Bachelor’s degree.
Therefore, eligible students must complete the application no later than the quarter before they will graduate with their Bachelor’s degree.
Winter Application Dates
- Application portal opens: September 10, 2024
- Application deadline: November 1, 2024
Spring Application Dates
- Application portal opens: December 4, 2024
- Application deadline: February 1, 2025
Summer Application Dates
- Application portal opens: March 13, 2025
- Application deadline: May 1, 2025
Fall Application Dates
- Application portal opens: April 1, 2025
- Application deadline: July 1, 2025
How to Apply
When you are eligible to apply for the Combined Bachelor's/Master's Program, please email mccormick-gradprograms@northwestern.edu for your application fee waiver code.
To apply, access the upcoming quarter's application via the online portal.
Application Requirements
- Academic statement
- Unofficial Northwestern transcript
- Resume
- Two recommendations
- Program plan grid with future undergraduate courses you will take to complete your BS or BA degree with your undergraduate adviser’s signature
Important Suggestions
- If you plan to seek a master’s degree in another department, please review the list of recommended undergraduate courses that you should take as an undergraduate.
- If you are an international BS(BA)/MS student, please let your OISS advisor know you are interested in the combined degree program and discuss how eligibility to work will work in your case.
- If your ultimate goal is to complete a PhD, consider pursuing an MS with the thesis option.
- If you are interested in the Combined Bachelor’s/Master’s Program, work closely with your undergraduate adviser and the MS Director of the relevant department as listed below.
- Your Undergraduate adviser must sign a document to be uploaded with your application outlining the number of courses remaining in your BS or BA degree.
- The MS Director may assist with creating a potential MS plan of study. Please bring your four-year undergraduate plan to advising appointments with the MS Director.
- Director of MS studies for each McCormick department:
- MS in Biomedical Engineering:Chamille Lescott
- MS in Chemical and Biological Engineering: Jennifer Cole
- MS in Civil and Environmental Engineering: Giuseppe Buscarnera
- MS in Computer Science: Chris Riesbeck
- MS in Engineering Design and Innovation: Amy O'Keefe
- MS in Electrical and Computer Engineering: David Zaretsky
- MS in Engineering Science and Applied Mathematics: Michael Miksis
- MS in Materials Science and Engineering: Ken Shull
- MS in Mechanical Engineering: Manohar Kulkarni
- Joint MS in Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science & Engineering: Greg Wagner and Yip-Wah Chung
Additional Questions?
Contact us at mccormick-gradprograms@northwestern.edu.