Combined BA/MA Degree Pathway in Asian Studies
The combined BA/MA degree pathway allows highly qualified undergraduate students to pursue an accelerated MA degree in Asian Studies. Students accepted into this degree pathway will be able to complete the MA degree as early as one year sooner than would otherwise be possible. Students accepted into the Asian Studies Honors track are particularly encouraged to apply for this degree pathway.
To be considered for admission to the combined bachelor’s/master’s pathway, students must have completed at least 75 credits in the bachelor’s degree program at FIU and meet the admissions criteria for the graduate degree program to which they are applying. Students need only apply once to the combined degree pathway; the application is submitted to Graduate Admissions typically before the student starts the last 30 credits of the bachelor’s degree program.
A student admitted to the combined degree pathway will be considered to have undergraduate status until the student applies for graduation from their bachelor’s degree program. Upon conferral of the bachelor’s degree, the student will be granted graduate status and be eligible for graduate assistantships. Only 5000-level or higher courses, and no more than the number of credits specified by the program catalog, may be applied toward both degrees.
A complete application requires:
- Current enrollment in BA program in Asian Studies at FIU
- Completed at least 75 credits
- Overall GPA of 3.2
- One letter of recommendation
- Statement of purpose discussing interests in the field
Students should consult the graduate catalog and the Asian Studies website or contact an advisor for a more comprehensive discussion of admission requirements (Asian Studies Catalog).
The degree pathway gives students the opportunity to take up to 9 credits of graduate coursework in the second semester of their senior year that will count towards both the BA and the MA. Students may take up to three 5000-level or higher graduate courses in the second semester of their senior year and follow the regular MA curriculum after they earn their BA degree.
Prior to Undergraduate Senior Year
- Before Fall Semester of Senior year, please apply to the program.
Undergraduate Senior Year
- Fall Semester of Senior year– take 12 credits, of which 3 are graduate credits in 5000-level or higher courses
- Spring Semester of Senior year - take 12 credits, of which 6 are graduate credits in level 5000-level or higher courses
Graduate Program
- Summer Semester – take 3 graduate credits (5000-level or higher)
- Fall Semester – take 9 graduate credits (5000-level or higher)
- Spring Semester – take 9 graduate credits (5000-level or higher, including thesis or master’s essay)
Students in the combined BA/MA degree pathway in Asian Studies must complete all other requirements for the MA degree in Asian Studies (please consult the graduate catalog and the Program’s online graduate handbook).
Students in this degree pathway have up to a year to complete the master’s degree after receipt of the bachelor’s degree. Students who fail to meet this year post BA requirement or who elect to leave the combined degree pathway at any time and earn only the BA degree will have the same access requirements to regular graduate programs as any other student, but will not be able to use the 9 graduate credits in both the bachelor’s and master’s degrees.