Bachelor's/Master's Combined Degree
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Get a Bachelor's and Master's in as Few as Five Years
The School of International Service bachelor's/master's combined degree program (BA/MA) allows SIS or AU undergraduates to begin a master's degree while completing their bachelor's, sharing up to 12 credit hours between the two degrees, saving upwards of $23,000 in tuition, and positioning themselves for more advanced careers more quickly.
Bachelor's/Master's At a Glance
- Admissions Requirements
- Current undergraduate AU student
- Entrance Semester
- At least two semesters before graduation and after completion of at least 75 undergraduate credits
- Application Deadline
- Fall semester priority deadline: February 15
- Spring semester priority deadline: October 1
- Otherwise, applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
- How to Apply
- Online Graduate Application
Save Money
At least 30% of your degree will be covered by scholarship, shared credits, or a combination.
Save Time
Get a bachelor's and master's degree in just five years.
Get an Edge
Open the door to more advanced careers more quickly.
Stay Flexible
Flexible curriculae let you work or intern in DC while completing your graduate degree.
Get a Top 10 Degree
Earn an advanced degree from a top 10-ranked school of international affairs.
Challenge Yourself
Take more challenging courses while still an undergraduate.
Choose from 11 Master's Degrees
SIS offers 11 master's degrees for bachelor's/master's dual degree students, spanning the full breadth of international affairs. Whatever direction your career is headed, there's a master's program designed to take you there.
Ethics, Peace, and Human Rights
Combine ethics and international studies to develop peaceful solutions to international challenges with our MA in Ethics, Peace, and Human Rights.
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Global Environmental Policy
Translate your passion for justice, ecological well-being, and humane governance into a lifetime of meaningful work with our MA in Global Environmental Policy.
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Global Governance, Politics, and Security
Think broadly, act pragmatically, and solve problems that are reshaping the world with our MA in Global Governance, Politics, and Security.
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Global Governance, Politics, and Security: Quantitative Economic Methods
Develop superior data analytics and economics skills with this STEM-designated degree.
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Intercultural and International Communication
Analyze and shape communication across national borders and cultures with our MA in Intercultural and International Communication.
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International Affairs Policy and Analysis
Guide government agencies, private enterprises, and nonprofits through international policy problems with our MA in International Affairs Policy and Analysis.
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International Affairs: Natural Resources and Sustainable Development
Promote environmentally sustainable development with this dual degree from American University and the UN-affiliated University for Peace in Costa Rica.
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International Affairs: United States Foreign Policy and National Security
Step into the government, think tanks, NGOs, and more as an expert in U.S. foreign and national security policy.
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International Development
Drive socio-economic, political, and environmental change around the world with our MA in International Development, one of the best-established development programs in the world.
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International Peace and Conflict Resolution
Lead conflict resolution and peacebuilding efforts in a wide variety of professional settings around the world with our MA in International Peace and Conflict Resolution.
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International Relations Online
Choose from four specializations and learn how to think, analyze, question, understand, and act like a global leader—all on your schedule—with our MA in International Relations Online.
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Who Can Apply
To be eligible for the BA/MA program, you must be a current AU undergraduate student and have completed at least 75 credit hours. We recommend applying with at least two undergraduate semesters remaining to give yourself the best opportunity to maximize your shared credits. A minimum of 24 credit hours of graduate coursework must be completed after your bachelor's degree is awarded. Regardless of your major, if you are interested in pursuing a career in international affairs, be sure to reach out to your advisor as early as possible to discuss course planning and credit-sharing opportunities.
Bringing International Expertise to Journalism
Ayman Mohyeldin, SIS/BA '00, MA '01
The role of journalism is to offer transparency into how our society's governed.
If you come into journalism, I think you have added value if you bring expertise in, let’s say, Latin America or international relations or business....You can come into American University, study international relations, live abroad, learn a foreign language, and because you did that, you have something very unique to offer as a reporter. Learn more about Mohyeldin's experience as a journalist.
How It Works
BA/MA students may apply up to 15 credit hours of approved graduate-level coursework toward both degrees simultaneously—meaning those credits count twice, saving you time and money. The number of shared credits will vary depending on your undergraduate major and the master's program you choose, so it's worth connecting with your academic advisor early to map out the best plan.
Example of Credit Sharing
Here's an example of an SIS undergraduate student completing a BA in International Studies combining a master’s degree in Global Governance, Politics, and Security.
| Graduate Course | Semester | Application in BA | Application in MA |
|---|---|---|---|
|
SIS-619 Statebuilding |
Fall (Senior) |
GCG Thematic |
Concentration |
|
SIS-707 History of Global Politics |
Fall (Senior) |
GCG Thematic |
Core Course |
|
SIS-681 Intelligence & Foreign Policy |
Spring (Senior) |
Elective |
Concentration |
|
SIS-708 Foundations of Global Security |
Spring (Senior) |
PCHS Thematic |
Core Course |
When to Apply
The priority deadline for fall admission is February 15, and October 1 for spring. Meeting the priority deadline makes you eligible for priority registration, meaning you'll have a better chance of getting the classes you want, so we strongly encourage you to apply on time. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis outside of these windows, but we recommend applying with at least two undergraduate semesters remaining to give yourself the best opportunity to maximize your shared credits.
Plan Your BA/MA Roadmap
Four-Year Degree Students
First-Years
Start the conversation early. Talk to your first-year advisor about your interest in the BA/MA program so you can get a head start on planning your academic path.
Sophomores
Connect with your SIS academic advisor to discuss how the BA/MA program fits your goals. It's worth considering delaying your SIS thematic area courses, as these can often be shared between your BA and MA requirements.
Juniors
This is the time to apply. Submit your application once you've completed 75 credit hours, ideally before reaching 90. Follow the Application and Enrollment Checklist below to get started.
Juniors/Seniors
Once admitted, begin taking shared graduate courses alongside your remaining undergraduate requirements to make the most of the program's credit-sharing benefits.
Global Scholars
Global Scholars students are eligible to apply with at least two semesters remaining and will be evaluated on the same criteria as all other applicants. Because summer graduate course offerings are limited, it's important to plan your shared courses for fall and spring terms. If one of your remaining semesters falls in the summer, connect with the advising office as soon as you reach 75 credits.
Application and Enrollment Checklist
Applying to the BA/MA program is straightforward, but there are a few important details to keep in mind before you get started. Read through the steps below carefully, particularly the guidance on which term to apply for and how to submit your application correctly. If you have questions at any point, the SIS Office of Graduate Admissions is happy to help.
- Meet with your undergraduate advisor to discuss your academic plan and explore how the BA/MA program fits your goals. This step isn't required before submitting your application, but we strongly recommend it.
- Submit your online graduate application, including the following materials. For more information about each application component, visit the SIS Office of Graduate Admissions Required Materials web page.
- Online application form
- Be sure to apply under the BA/MA tab in the application portal, and apply for the term in which you plan to start your master's degree, not the term you'll complete your bachelor's. For example, if you will graduate from your BA in spring 2027, your MA application term would be fall 2027. If you're unsure of your expected graduation semester, check with the SIS Undergraduate Advising Office before applying.
- Resume
- Personal statement
- Two letters of recommendation
- Official undergraduate transcript(s), including your AU transcript
- Online application form
- Accept your offer of admission by completing the online admissions reply form. BA/MA students do not need to submit an enrollment deposit.
- Meet with your advisors. After admission, you'll connect jointly with a degree advisor in the SIS Office of Graduate Academic Advising and your current undergraduate advisor to map out your path forward.
Scholarship, Tuition, and Financial Aid
At least 30% of your degree will be covered by the Double Eagle Scholarship (reserved for AU undergrads), shared credits, or a combination of the two. No additional action is required—you'll be notified of your final graduate funding decision the semester before your master's degree begins.
View Current Graduate Tuition Rates
Get in Touch
Have questions about the application process? Not sure which master's degree is the right fit? An SIS graduate admissions counselor can help you figure it out. Contact us at [email protected], and we'll respond to you as soon as possible.
Email SIS Graduate Admissions