SCHOOL of INTERNATIONAL SERVICE

American University · Washington, D.C.

BA/MA PROGRAM

The BA/MA program is a selective program open to SIS undergraduate students that permits students to earn both a BA in International Studies and a MA in International Affairs and allows certain specified graduate level courses to be applied to the requirements of both degrees. Students admitted to the BA/MA program remain as undergraduates until the BA degree is completed. Upon BA graduation clearance, students become MA only.

ADMISSION

Timing of application

• Students must have completed at least 90 credits prior to application to the BA/MA program.
• Students should apply by June 15 of the year prior to their final two semesters in undergraduate status.
• It is highly recommended that applicants complete a minimum of two 300-plus level SIS courses prior to applying to the BA/MA program.
• A minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.5 is required for applicants.

Application Requirements

• Only current SIS undergraduate students are eligible to apply to the BA/MA program.
• Students must submit an SIS graduate application and all other required materials as specified by the SIS Graduate Admissions office.
• Students must check the box on the application marked "BA/MA" and select the program to which they are applying.
• The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) as well as the $50 application fee are not required for admission to the BA/MA program in SIS. Students who take the GRE are welcome to submit their scores.
• One letter of recommendation must be from an SIS faculty member but two are highly encouraged.
• Different fields in SIS may have different admissions criteria.

TRANSFER OF CREDIT

The amount of credits a student may use for both the BA and MA degrees depends on which MA program the student chooses. The student must complete at least 30 credits which count toward the MA only. The following amounts of graduate level credits may be transferred into the corresponding graduate programs:

* Courses to be recognized toward the MA must be at the 500 level or above and must fulfill the specific MA degree program requirements.
Please note that all program requirements as specified in the AU catalogue must be fulfilled.

FINANCIAL AID

Merit-Based Aid
Students are eligible for University merit aid, including SIS Graduate Assistantships and Fellowships, at which time they complete the BA and reach full master's status. BA/MA students will be considered for University merit awards along with currently enrolled graduate students. The awards are highly competitive. Students are encouraged to look for outside sources of funding.

Federal Need-Based Aid
For questions about need-based financial aid and student loans, please contact the Office of Graduate Financial Aid at 202-885-3480. For Federal need-based financial aid when the BA degree is completed, students should complete and submit the "Graduate Financial Aid Application/Graduate Verification Worksheet" available through the University Office of Financial Aid. If the student will become MA only for the Spring semester and has filled out the FAFSA as an undergraduate for that academic year, there is no need to complete another FAFSA. A student who becomes MA only for the Fall semester must fill out the FAFSA form for the following academic year. Note that the federal need-based financial aid package may change when students become MA only.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Should you have any additional questions, please contact the SIS Graduate Admissions office:

School of International Service
Office of Graduate Admissions
Clark Hall, Room 101
202-885-1646
sisgrad@american.edu