Earn Two Degrees in Less Time
St. Mary’s University offers Combined Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree Programs, allowing you to earn both your bachelor’s and master’s degrees in about five years, rather than the traditional six or more years. Not only will you save time, but you’ll save money too. Students pursuing master’s degrees while in the Combined Degree Program are charged the undergraduate rate for graduate-level courses (limited to 15 graduate credit hours).
I knew I wanted to pursue a graduate degree, so the opportunity to begin working on a master’s degree alongside my undergraduate degree at the undergraduate tuition rate was appealing. Finishing my graduate degree shortly after graduating with my undergraduate degree opens more opportunities for me in my job search.”
Tori Gardner (B.S. ’21, M.S. ’22)
Software Engineering Combined Degree Program Graduate
Benefits of the Combined Degree Program
Save money. Students are charged the undergraduate tuition fixed rate, which offers substantial savings compared to regular graduate tuition. (Note: Limited to 15 credit hours. Regular graduate tuition rates apply once the undergraduate program is completed.) Students who enroll in a Combined Degree Program will have the $100 graduate enrollment deposit waived.
Save time. A Combined Degree Program allows students to accelerate their studies and earn both their bachelor’s and master’s degrees in about five years rather than the traditional six or more years. With some Combined Degree Programs, graduate courses will count toward the student’s undergraduate degree requirements so that both degrees are completed with fewer combined hours than if pursued separately.
Enhance your career path. Students who are enrolled in a Combined Degree Program demonstrate ambition, time management and the ability to focus, which are attractive qualities to employers and other academic institutions.
What is a Combined Degree?
Combined Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree Programs allow undergraduate students to begin graduate studies during their junior year. All interested and qualified students may apply during their junior year and, if accepted, begin their graduate studies as “conditionally accepted” graduate students during the second semester of the junior year. All programs require a minimum 3.0 GPA.
The conditional status is lifted and regular status conferred once the student has completed undergraduate work and any prerequisites.
Students are limited to no more than 15 graduate hours while undergraduate students and are charged the undergraduate tuition fixed rate, which offers substantial savings compared to regular graduate tuition. All University discounts and scholarships are also in effect. Regular graduate tuition rates apply once the undergraduate program is completed.
With some combined degree programs, students will be able to count graduate courses toward their undergraduate degree requirements, completing both degrees faster than if they pursued the degrees separately.
Requirements
- Must be a junior
- Must have a minimum 3.0 GPA
- Must submit a Combined Degree Program application
Ready to apply?
If you are interested in starting a Combined Degree Program, contact the Office of Graduate Admission at 210-436-3126 or graduate@stmarytx.edu, or speak with your Academic Advisor.
Eligible current undergraduate students may apply on Gateway.
Eligible Master’s Degree Programs
The following master’s degrees may be pursued as a combined degree.
Eligible undergraduate majors:
- All majors within the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences and Greehey School of Business.
Majors from the School of Science, Engineering and Technology may be considered.
Master of Arts in Communication Studies
Eligible undergraduate majors:
- English
- English Communications
- Communication Studies
Other majors may be considered.
Master of Arts in English Literature and Language
Eligible undergraduate majors:
- Political Science
- International and Global Studies
- History
- Economics
- International Business
- Foreign Languages
Other majors may be considered.
Master of Arts in International Relations
Eligible undergraduate majors:
- All majors within the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences and Greehey School of Business.
Majors from the School of Science, Engineering and Technology may be considered.
Master of Arts in Public History
Eligible undergraduate majors:
- Theology
Other majors may be considered.
Master of Arts in Theology
Eligible undergraduate majors:
- All majors within the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences and Greehey School of Business.
Majors from the School of Science, Engineering and Technology may be considered.
Master of Public Administration (M.P.A.)
Eligible undergraduate majors:
- Computer Science
- Computer Information Systems
- Electrical Engineering
- Computer Engineering
- Software Engineering
- Engineering Science
Master of Science in Computer Science
Eligible undergraduate majors:
- Computer Science
- Computer Information Systems
- Electrical Engineering
- Computer Engineering
- Software Engineering
- Industrial Engineering
- Engineering Management
- Mechanical Engineering
- Engineering Science
Master of Science in Computer Information Systems
Eligible undergraduate majors:
- Computer Science
- Computer Information Systems
- Electrical Engineering
- Computer Engineering
- Software Engineering
- Industrial Engineering
- Engineering Management
- Engineering Science
Master of Science in Cyber Security
Eligible undergraduate majors:
- Computer Engineering
- Electrical Engineering
- Software Engineering
- Engineering Science
Master of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering
Eligible undergraduate majors:
- Computer Science
- Computer Information Systems
- Electrical Engineering
- Computer Engineering
- Software Engineering
- Industrial Engineering
- Engineering Management
- Mechanical Engineering
- Engineering Science
Master of Science in Industrial Engineering and Management
Eligible undergraduate majors:
- All majors within the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences and Greehey School of Business.
Majors from the School of Science, Engineering and Technology may be considered.
Master of Science in Program Evaluation
Eligible undergraduate majors:
- Computer Science
- Computer Information Systems
- Electrical Engineering
- Computer Engineering
- Software Engineering
- Industrial Engineering
- Engineering Management
- Mechanical Engineering
- Engineering Science
Master of Science in Software Engineering
Sample Course Itinerary
The following is an example of how your courseload may look in your Junior, Senior and Graduate Student years if you pursued a Combined Degree in five years.
Semester Credit Hours Spring semester, Junior year 15 undergraduate hours, 3 graduate hours Fall semester, Senior year 9 undergraduate hours, 6 graduate hours Spring semester, Senior year 9 undergraduate hours, 6 graduate hours Summer semester, post-bachelor’s graduation 6 graduate hours Fall semester, Graduate Student 9 graduate hours Spring semester, Graduate Student 6 graduate hours *This schedule may vary to accommodate student needs. Consult with your graduate program director for variations in scheduling.
Combined Degree Program Financial Assistance
If enrolled in a Combined Degree Program, undergraduate students may take up to 15 hours of graduate-level courses in their junior and senior years.
For Title IV aid, a student is classified as an undergraduate student if the graduate courses they are enrolled in are counting toward their bachelor’s degree. This ensures they are always full-time undergraduate students and eligible for their aid as undergraduates.
An undergraduate student would be considered enrolled in a Combined Degree program with the following hours:
| Fall | Spring | |
|---|---|---|
| Junior Year | 12 undergraduate hours | 12 undergraduate hours, 3 graduate hours |
| Senior Year | 9 undergraduate hours, 6 graduate hours* | 9 undergraduate hours, 6 graduate hours* |
| *3 hours count toward undergraduate degree. | ||
For more information, contact the Office of Financial Assistance at 210-436-3141 or finaid@stmarytx.edu, or visit us in St. Louis Hall, Suite 301.
Learn More
Office of Graduate Admission
Chaminade Tower
210-436-3126
graduate@stmarytx.edu