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Bachelor's/Master's Combined Degree

High-achieving Northwestern undergraduates can apply to earn a bachelor's and master's degree concurrently through select combined degree programs. Eligibility is limited to Northwestern undergraduates, and participation is available only in approved academic disciplines.

The Graduate School offers combined degree programs in chemistry, comparative literary studies, economics, French, linguistics, plant biology and conservation, public health, statistics, and all McCormick School of Engineering departments with TGS graduate programs, except Industrial Engineering and Management Sciences.

Admission

All applicants must have at least one quarter of undergraduate study remaining at the time of their application to the combined degree program. 

Application Instructions  

Eligibility 

Only apply when you are within one academic quarter of completing your bachelor's degree requirements. 

Applicants to McCormick programs should review their program-specific information before applying. 

Before you Apply:

1. Complete the Combined Degree Program Plan Form with your Undergraduate Advisor

  • Download and complete the Combined Degree Program Plan form 
  • List the undergraduate and graduate courses you plan to take to complete the degree. 
  • Use the form's dropdown menus to select:  
    • Term
    • Academic Year 
    • Course Level (Undergraduate or Graduate) 

2. Review the Plan with Your Undergraduate Advisor 

  • Discuss your course plan with your undergraduate advisor. 
  • Obtain your advisor's signature on the form. 
  • Your advisor should submit the signed course plan as one of your letters of recommendation. You will need to list your undergraduate advisor as a reference on the application. 
Application Requirements 

To complete your application, submit the following: 

Required Materials

  • Application Fee 
    • Pay an Online Application Fee by Credit Card  
    • Contact your program regarding possible fee waiver options. 
  • Essays 
    • Academic Statement 
    • Personal Statement 
  • Transcript
    • Upload your unofficial Northwestern Transcript 
  • Letters of Recommendation
    • Request three letters of recommendation via the application form 
      • One of your recommenders must be your undergraduate advisor.  
      • Be sure to include your advisor's information in the application. 
  • Program-Specific Materials 
    • Upload any additional materials required by your program, such as:  
      • Resume/CV 
      • Writing samples 
      • Other requested documents 

Requirements

Combined degree requirements are outlined in The Graduate School Catalog.

Financial Aid 

Students interested in this program must be aware of certain financial aid information and implications: 

  • Undergraduates may receive up to four years of financial aid to support undergraduate study; after four years and once a student receives their bachelor's degree, undergraduate financial aid packages do not apply, as students will be shifted to graduate status.
  • Students who do not complete the master's degree concurrently with the bachelor's degree, and will need aid to support further study at the graduate level, should apply for financial aid by completing the FAFSA in their twelfth quarter.
  • Students may not serve as a TA while receiving undergraduate aid. In order to serve as a TA, students pursuing these combined degrees must formally forfeit their undergraduate financial aid (if they have such a package). 
  • Students who forfeit their undergraduate status will also forfeit their student health insurance, housing, and meal plan; for all intents and purposes, the students will be considered graduate students. 
  • Students who officially switch status from undergraduate to graduate may receive the TGS health subsidy and may be subject to the TGS activity fee.