BA-MA Program

The history BA-MA program allows students to graduate with a master’s degree just one year after completing a bachelor’s degree. Students complete all of the requirements for a BA and all course requirements for the MA.  Successful completion results in a minimum of 120 undergraduate credit hours and 30 graduate credit hours; several upper level classes are double counted for each degree.

The program enables students to save up to one full year in completing a master’s degree. Earning an MA from Purdue would facilitate admission into outside PhD programs; it would also be a useful credential for those interested in archival and museum work, secondary education, and positions in higher education programming and administration.

Structure of the Program

Students in this program complete all of the requirements for a history major (and a Bachelor of Arts more generally) and all of the requirements for a master’s degree: 120 undergraduate credit hours and 30 graduate credit hours.

Students take 12 graduate credit hours in the fourth year, including History 610 and 611. Some of these credit hours can be double-counted, applying both to the graduate and undergraduate degrees. In the fifth year, students take 18 graduate credit hours. Below are the key features:

First year undergraduate — 30 credit hours

Students do a normal plan of study.

Second year undergraduate — 30 credit hours

Interested candidates’ recommended trajectory:  Complete History 395 during their sophomore spring semester.

Third year undergraduate — 30 credit hours

Potential candidates take either History 495 or History 421 during their junior year fall semester, and complete at least one additional 400- or 500-level history course by junior year spring semester.

Candidates apply to the MA program during their junior year spring semester:

• Evaluated for admissions by the Graduate Committee
• Grade in History 495 or History 421 is a key determinant
• Must have three letters of recommendation, including one letter from a department faculty member who supports acceptance and is willing to serve as possible advisor

Fourth year undergraduate — 30 credit hours

• Students in the program would enroll in up to 18 credit hours of undergraduate coursework.
• Additionally, they would enroll in History 610, 611, and at least two 400- or 500-level courses, some of which would count double (earning 12 hours of graduate credit).

Fifth (final) year — 18 graduate credit hours

Students take a combination of 600-level seminars and (as needed) History 590 directed-reading courses.

Admission to the Program

Students applying (junior standing, spring semester) would submit the following by April 1:

1. Statement of interest
2. Original research writing sample that showcases the student’s ability to engage in original archival research and/or historiographical analysis
3. Transcript; expectations of grade of A- or better in History 495 or History 421
4. Three letters of recommendation, including one letter from department faculty member supporting the application and willing to advise the candidate.

MA Program Notes

• To accumulate 30 credits of graduate-level coursework and receive both degrees in 5 years, students should begin their fifth year with 12 credits of graduate-level coursework. Students may double-count up to 12 credits of 50000- or 60000-level courses between their BA and MA degrees; these also satisfy the History Area E BA requirement. Students who take 30000- or 40000-level courses for graduate credit may be enrolled in “Linked 590s”. Students may only count one instance of History 590 towards the History Area E requirement of their BA degree, but may count up to 3 iterations of History 590 towards their MA degree.
• MA students must complete a minimum of 5 courses at the 60000 level, including the Graduate Colloquium (610 and 611).
• If pursuing an MA thesis, students should have a written agreement with their advisors by the end of the senior year.
• For MA degree guidance and/or questions, please consult with the History Department Program Manager and the Director of Graduate Education. 

Frequently-Asked Questions

Doesn’t this program place heavy demands on students during their senior year?

Yes, that is the crucial transition year. Participating students would be encouraged to take as light a load of undergraduate courses as possible (as few as 12 credit hours each semester). Realistically, a student’s involvement in the graduate curriculum may necessitate a scaling back of extracurricular activities.

What if students graduate with a BA and then decide not to continue with the MA year?

They will still be able to graduate normally and with the additional experience of having completed graduate-level seminars.

What if students wait until their senior year to apply to the program?

They may apply for admission to the standard two-year MA program.

Will students in this program be able to write a master’s thesis?

In theory, yes, but the tighter time schedule may make it difficult to complete an adequate amount of research. Students interested in this option should communicate with their identified mentor, have a written agreement with their advisors by the end of the senior year, and plan to conduct research between their fourth and fifth years.

Will funding be available for students in the fifth and final year of this program?

MA students will be eligible for federal loans. They would not be eligible for tuition remission, as is true for MA students across the CLA. However, program participants may have opportunities to work as graders in history courses on an ad hoc basis.

If you have questions about the BA-MA program, please contact O.T. Ford, academic program manager, otford@purdue.edu.