Combined Degree Programs @ CDM

Note: This version of the degree replaces all previous combinations and current students will be migrated to this plan.

Program Structure

The shortened structure of combined degree programs is accomplished by students taking three Master’s level courses in their junior and senior year that count toward both their bachelor and master’s degree requirements at same time. Students in this program will receive both a bachelor degree, after 192 undergraduate credit hours, and a master’s degree after 10 more graduate courses (40 hours), instead of the standard 13 (52 hours).

How To Apply?

In order to apply for the BS/MS program, your faculty advisor must send an e-mail recommendation to Becky Krochmal . The recommendation should include, your full name, student ID number and the BS and MS degrees you wish to apply for.

Admission Criteria:

• Minimum of 6 course/24 credit hours completed
• GPA of 3.3 or higher at DePaul
• Endorsement of faculty advisor

Maintaining Good Standing

• Student GPAs and grades will be reviewed after Autumn, Winter, and Spring Quarter
• Student  and Faculty Advisor will be notified when the student’s cumulative GPA falls below 3.3 or when the students receives less than a C- in graduate level course (X-course)

Dismissal Policy:
If a student’s cumulative GPA falls below 3.3, the student must attain term GPA of 3.3 or above in the following quarter to stay active. If the student does not achieve a 3.3 term GPA, then the student will be dismissed from the combined program and resume the traditional BA/BS. As long as the student’s cumulative GPA is below 3.3, the student must continue to achieve at least a 3.3 term GPA in all following quarters or face dismissal. If, at any point, the student’s cumulative GPA is once again 3.3 or higher, term requirements no longer apply.

It is important to note:
**If a student does not maintain good standing, they will be dismissed from the Combined Degree and returned to normal undergraduate degree seeking status. Any graduate courses passed before dismissal will not be counted toward graduate credit and may not be retaken (if the student does pursue graduate study, other graduate courses must be substituted). If dismissed students wish to apply to a CDM graduate degree program, they may do so following normal CDM Admissions procedures, but will still be required to take 13 graduate courses for a MS degree.

BA/BS-MA/MS Transition:
If, upon completion of the BA/BS Degree, the student did not meet all prerequisites for the MA/MS Degree, then the student will need to complete (course, test or waiver) the missing prerequisites for the chosen MA/MS Degree.
If, while still in the undergraduate degree phase, the student receives less than a C- in graduate level course (X-course), the, X-course cannot count towards the MS/MA Degree.

Designing a Course of Study

It is extremely important that the student and faculty advisor work together on a course of study immediately upon admission to the Combined Degree Program.

This course of study may include which undergraduate classes to avoid taking in order to take the graduate version. Failure to put together a solid plan can lead to extra coursework and a lengthening of the Combined Degree program.

It is advisable for the student and advisor to enter the proposed plan of study in the student communication record on the CDM intranet so it is available to the student and CDM faculty and staff.