Accelerated BS and MS Joint (4+1) Degree Program
Introduction
The Bachelor of Science and Master of Science Accelerated (4+1) Joint Degree Program is designed for undergraduates with outstanding academic performance who desire to pursue graduate studies in Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or Energy Engineering, or who wish to prepare themselves for advanced placement in the workplace. Students will earn both a BS and MS degree upon completion of the program, with 8 credit hours of coursework shared between the two degrees.
Effectively, this program reduces the time and cost it takes to complete the MS degree by at least one semester, enabling both degrees to be completed in as little as five years! However, students may take time as they see fit to complete the degrees.
There are a total of five programs available, where students can select their MS degree to be the same, or different than their BS degree. This allows for greater flexibility in the workplace and mobility in the job market. The programs are:
- BS Mechanical + MS Mechanical
- BS Mechanical + MS Industrial
- BS Mechanical + Energy Engineering
- BS Industrial + MS Industrial
- BS Industrial + MS Mechanical
Full details for each program can be found in the UIC Academic Catalog using the links above.
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Admissions
The minimum admission requirements for the Joint Degree program are:
- Completion of at least 30 hours of core courses (excluding certain courses as specified in the Required in the College of Engineering section of the catalog).
- An institutional GPA of 3.25/4.00 or higher.
- A major GPA of 3.25/4.00 or higher.
Students who meet the minimum requirements to apply for the joint program can apply for consideration at any time before the beginning of their final term in the BS program. Students also must maintain an overall GPA of 3.00 or higher in the MS program. If your GPA is below 3.25 and you would still like to be considered for the Joint Degree program, please contact the director of undergraduate studies.
Applications will be reviewed by the Graduate Admission Committee in the Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering to determine whether the student will be admitted into the program. The department reserves the right to accept or decline any application.
Curriculum
Degree Requirements
The requirements for completion of the Joint Degree program are identical to the completion of the two degrees separately. However, 8 semester hours of shared coursework may be used for both degrees.
Completion of 122 semester hours at the undergraduate level; plus 8 additional shared hours counting toward both the BS and MS degrees; plus 28 hours of coursework at the graduate level will result in joint BS/MS degrees. Only a coursework-based MSIE may be awarded.
Upon completion of the BS degree, the degree will be awarded (prior to the completion of the MS degree). The MS degree is awarded separately, at the end of the program.
Course Information
Students accepted into the Joint Degree program will be able to take two 400-level (graduate) major courses, enrolled as graduate students, and receive 4 hours of credit per course.
The two 400-level major courses will be applied towards 6 hours of technical electives at the undergraduate level, thereby completing the 128 semester hours for the BS degree. The two 400-level major courses will also count towards 8 hours of 400-level coursework toward the MS degree. Thereby, saving one semester of MS coursework.
Course selections require pre-approval by an academic advisor and will be recorded in the student’s academic record by the MIE Student Affairs Office. Additionally, the MIE Student Affairs Office will submit the necessary forms to allow the undergraduate student to register for the graduate section of these courses, and have them count toward both degrees.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it free to apply for the 4+1 Joint Degree Program?
Yes, it is free! There is no cost to currently enrolled MIE students.
When is the best time to apply?
Typically, around the second semester of your junior year, or the first semester of your senior year, is ideal. However, we recommend that you meet with your faculty advisor to determine a timeline specific to you.
Overall, it is best to apply before taking any technical electives, typically in your junior or senior year. Note that not all technical electives qualify for transfer to the MS degree, so submitting an application as early as possible is preferred.
You must be half-way completed with your ME/IE curriculum to be eligible to apply. This can be determined from your uAchieve report, or calculated in conjunction with your advisor.
What is the application deadline?
Per program requirements, a student must apply and be accepted into the program before their final semester at UIC. Meaning, the latest you can apply is two semesters before graduation.
There are no formal deadlines other than this, and the admissions committee meets on a rolling basis, admitting students as they apply.
Do I have to be a current student to apply?
Yes, only current UIC mechanical or industrial engineering students are eligible to apply for the Joint Degree program.
Can I start my time at UIC as a student in the Joint Degree program?
No, students are not directly admitted to the Joint Degree program. A student must first complete a sufficient amount of UIC coursework to establish a major and cumulative GPA. Please review the UIC Academic Catalog for more information on your program of interest.
What do current students need to apply?
You should first review the program descriptions and admission criteria listed above. Once you’re ready to apply, the application requires that you select your desired program and provide a digital signature. Reference letters, transcripts, and personal statements are not required. It’s that easy!
Am I guaranteed to receive a master's degree by enrolling in this program?
No. MS program applications are handled separately, and students must meet the minimum requirements of the MS at the end of the BS to progress in the program. They are mutually independent programs, and the Joint Degree program saves time in the MS for high-achieving BS students.
Do the MS and BS degrees have to be of the same concentration?
No! That’s the benefit of this program. You can earn an MS that is a different concentration than the BS.