Graduate Early Admissions (4+1) Programs

BSU undergraduates can apply for early admittance for the MS in Biology during their junior or senior year of undergraduate study. Both Biology BS and BA students are eligible and should consult with the graduate program coordinator during the sophomore or junior year to ensure proper preparation. Upon acceptance, students may take up to two graduate-level courses during their final year of undergraduate study, and may apply these courses to both the undergraduate and graduate degrees.

Requirements for early admission are:

• Junior or senior rank in the BS or BA program in Biology at BSU
• Completion of at least one semester of undergraduate research (BIOL 396 or BIOL 497) and continued participation until enrollment in the MS program
• Minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0
• A detailed personal statement explaining research interests and experience
• Two appropriate letters of recommendation
• Official transcripts of all undergraduate course work
• Selection of the thesis option

Graduate Chair: Dr. Christopher Bloch

Submit Early Admission Application

The MBA program consists of 10 courses. 4+1 students with senior status (a minimum of 84 credits earned) can begin taking up to 4 graduate courses at the undergraduate tuition rate. Students interested in the 4+1 MBA Program should contact the graduate coordinator, Dr. Kathleen Ferris (k1ferris@bridgew.edu) for advising.

BSU undergraduates who wish to take graduate courses while still an undergraduate student will need to complete the4+1 MBA application. The application fee for this program is waived. Tuition for these courses will be at the undergraduate course rate.

Requirements for the MBA 4+1 are:

• Applicants must have at least a 3.0 GPA at the time of application.
• Enrollment in a BSU bachelor’s program
• Students may apply after completion of their second semester of sophomore year or have earned a minimum of 54 credits.
• Accepted students can begin taking graduate courses as soon as they receive senior status and have earned a minimum of 84 credits.
• Accepted students are eligible to take up to four graduate courses that can be applied to both their undergraduate and graduate degree programs. A minimum grade of “B” is required for graduate credit for required courses.
• Official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate course work
• One letter of recommendation from either an academic or professional references
• A resumé

BSU undergraduates in the 4+1 MBA Program must complete the following three MBA foundation courses, earning a minimum grade of “B “. Note, these required courses also fulfill requirements of the University’s Core Curriculum and undergraduate business majors will complete these courses in their undergraduate degree program.

Foundation Courses will be waived upon completion, with at least a grade of “B” or better, of the corresponding upper-division undergraduate business course taken as part of an undergraduate baccalaureate degree program.

• ACFI 502 – Introduction to Financial Accounting
• MGMT 500 – Foundations of Managerial Statistics
• ECON 500 - Foundations of Economics

Graduate Chair: Dr. Kathleen Ferris

Submit MBA 4+1 Application

BSU undergraduate students seeking enrollment in the Criminal Justice early admissions program will be granted special status to enroll in two graduate criminal justice courses for undergraduate credit, if accepted. One of those courses will be CRJU 500 - Foundations of Scholarship and the other will be determined with advising from the DGCE Graduate Criminal Justice Coordinator. Tuition for these courses will be at the undergraduate course rate.

• Applicants must be criminal justice majors at Bridgewater State who have a 3.3 minimum overall GPA
• Applicants may apply anytime after completing 75 credit hours and successful completion of CRJU 320 - Research Methods in Criminal Justice,  CRJU 330 - Analyzing Criminal Justice Data, CRJU 406 - Ethics and the Criminal Justice System and CRJU 410 - Applied Theory and Crime Policy
• Undergraduate students’ financial aid package will apply to graduate courses taken for undergraduate credit, and there will be no additional charge for taking a graduate course in the evening.
• Once the student has completed their BS, the two graduate courses that they have completed (with a minimum grade of “B”) will be applied to their MS course requirements, reducing post grad course work.

Students should apply for the semester immediately following graduation that they plan to matriculate in the graduate program. Students graduating in December should choose the SPRING semester. Students graduating in May can choose either the SUMMER or FALL semester.  Students graduating in August should choose the FALL semester.

Requirements for early admissions are:

• Online Application – A completed online application for which the application fee will be waived
• Resumé – A resumé which demonstrates the applicant’s potential for leadership and academic achievement as evidenced by activities during his or her professional career or undergraduate studies
• GPA – Students must have achieved an overall minimum Bridgewater State University GPA of 3.3 at the time their application is accepted
• Letters of Recommendation – Three appropriate letters of recommendation, two of which must come from full-time BSU criminal justice faculty. (Applicants who do not believe they have worked with or taken classes from a full-time faculty member, should contact the Program Coordinator for guidance on this requirement)
• Statement of Purpose – a 750-word statement of purpose that describes the experiences that have influenced your decision to study or work within the discipline of criminal justice or criminology. Also, include academic topics of interest, your commitment to social justice and how you see these issues reflected in the areas of criminal justice.

This program is Quinn Bill-approved.

Graduate Chair: Dr. Feodor Gostjev

Submit Early Admission Application

The Early Admissions Pathway (4+1) is for academically advanced juniors and seniors majoring and minoring in criminal justice at Bridgewater State University who wish to take up to two graduate courses for undergraduate credit and thereby accelerate the completion of their MS in Cybersecurity and Justice. The Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and MS in Cybersecurity and Justice provide academically advanced students an opportunity to challenge themselves by beginning graduate work while finishing the BS degree. Through this program, it is possible for exceptional students to complete both degrees in five years. Additional benefits include a waiver of the application fee and reduced tuition costs (equivalent to saving six credits at the graduate rate). 

Students interested in the Early Admissions Pathway (4+1) should contact the DGCE Graduate Criminal Justice Coordinator early in their junior year. If accepted, students will be granted special status to enroll in two graduate criminal justice courses for undergraduate credit. One of those courses will be CYGR 500 Introduction to Cybersecurity and the second class will be determined by the DGCE graduate chair. Tuition for these courses will be at the undergraduate rate. Applicants must be criminal justice majors at Bridgewater State who have a 3.3 minimum overall GPA.

• Applicants may apply any time after completing 75 credit hours.
• There will be no additional charge for taking a graduate course in the evening.
• Once the student has matriculated into the graduate program, their graduate courses (with a minimum grade of "B"), will be applied to their MS course requirements, reducing post-grad coursework.
• Early Admission Application 
• Resume – A resume that demonstrates the applicant's potential for leadership and academic achievement as evidenced by activities during their professional career or undergraduate studies.
• Minimum GPA of 3.3 – Students must have achieved an overall minimum Bridgewater State University GPA of 3.3 at the time of their application.
• Letters of Recommendation – Three appropriate letters of recommendation, two of which must come from full-time BSU criminal justice faculty. (Applicants with questions on whether they have worked with or taken classes from a full-time faculty member should contact the DGCE graduate chair for guidance.)
• Statement of Purpose

The following are required to be accepted into the Early Admissions Pathway (4+1) program:

• Early Admission Application 
• Resume – A resume that demonstrates the applicant's potential for leadership and academic achievement as evidenced by activities during their professional career or undergraduate studies.
• Minimum GPA of 3.3 – Students must have achieved an overall minimum Bridgewater State University GPA of 3.3 at the time of their application.
• Letters of Recommendation – Three appropriate letters of recommendation, two of which must come from full-time BSU criminal justice faculty. (Applicants with questions on whether they have worked with or taken classes from a full-time faculty member should contact the DGCE graduate chair for guidance.)
• Statement of Purpose

Graduate Chair: Dr. Hannarae Lee
 

Submit Early Admission Application

BSU undergraduate students seeking enrollment in the English early admissions program will be granted special status to enroll in two graduate English courses for undergraduate credit, if accepted. One of these courses will be ENGL 500 - Introduction to Graduate Study in English, and the other will be determined with advising from the DGCE Graduate English Coordinator. Tuition for these courses will be at the undergraduate course rate.

• Applicants must be English majors at Bridgewater State who have a minimum 3.5 GPA in the English major and a minimum 3.3 overall GPA.
• Applicants must have completed 18 credits in the English major, including a research methods course and another 300-level course.
• Students may apply at any time after the completion of their first semester of junior year (or 75 credits).
• Students must submit an application through the Graduate Admissions site that includes official transcripts of all undergraduate course work; one letter of recommendation from a member of the graduate faculty in the English department; and a 450-500 word statement of purpose, including reasons for undertaking the MA degree, relevant experience and aptitude, career goals and academic topics of interest within English studies. The $50 admissions fee will be waived.
• Undergraduate students’ financial aid package will apply to graduate courses taken for undergraduate credit, and there will be no additional charge for taking a graduate course in the evening.
• One of the two graduate courses taken as an undergraduate may be counted as a substitute for any course requirement for the English BA except for the senior seminar, with approval of the English Department Chair.
• Once the students complete their BA, the two graduate courses that they have completed will be transferred to their MA course requirements if they receive a minimum grade of “B”.

BSU undergraduates who wish to take graduate courses while still an undergraduate student will need to complete the Early Acceptance application. The application fee for this program is waived.

Graduate Chair: Dr. Halina Adams

Submit Early Admission Application

An undergraduate student may apply to the higher education MEd program while enrolled in the junior year of their program meeting all the admissions requirements. 

While a senior, students will be allowed to take up to 2 courses in the Higher Education Administration concentration which will be counted towards their undergraduate degree and their master’s degree. One of the courses must be EDLE 504 – Introduction to Higher Education. The courses will require approval from their undergraduate advisor and the DGCE Graduate Coordinator for Educational Leadership. 

Requirements for early admissions are: 

• An online application is required - the application fee will be waived. 
• A resumé must be included which demonstrates the applicant’s potential for leadership and academic achievement as evidenced by activities during his or her professional career or undergraduate studies. 
• Official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate course work. 
• Three letters of recommendation (one from a full time BSU faculty) must be submitted. 
• A minimum undergraduate BSU GPA of 3.0 is required at the time their application is accepted. 
• A Personal Statement is required on how completion of this program will improve the student’s ability to excel in the higher education environment. 

Under the early acceptance program, students will be admitted and classified as graduate students in the semester immediately following conferral of the Bachelor’s degree. The courses under the early acceptance pathway that they have completed (with a minimum grade of “B”) will be transferred into the graduate degree profile as meeting the MEd coursework requirements. 

Graduate Chair: Dr. Carol Young

Requirements for early admissions are:

• An online application is required.
• Resumé
• Official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate course work
• Two letters of recommendation from full-time BSU history department faculty members
• Have completed 60 credits and hold a minimum undergraduate BSU GPA of 3.0 at the time their application is accepted.
• A grade of B+ or better in HIST 396
• A grade of B+ or better in three HIST 400-level courses
• A Personal Statement Undergraduate students may apply to the MAT program once they complete HIST 396 and three 400-level history courses and 60 overall credits.

Although students may be accepted into the graduate program at this point, they will be classified as undergraduate students until all requirements of the Bachelor’s degree have been fulfilled and the degree has been awarded. While a second-semester junior or a senior, students will be allowed to take up to two 500-level History courses that will contribute to their undergraduate course requirements and later be transferred into their MAT program.

Undergraduate students’ financial aid packages will apply to graduate courses taken for undergraduate credit, and there will be no additional charge for taking a graduate course in the evening. Under the early acceptance program, students will be admitted and classified as graduate students in the semester immediately following conferral of the Bachelor’s degree and their acquiring initial licensure.

The courses under the early acceptance pathway that they have completed (with a minimum grade of “B”) will be transferred into the graduate degree profile as meeting the MAT coursework requirements.

Graduate Chair: Dr. Meghan Healy-Clancy

Submit Early Admission Application

Admissions Requirements

• Minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0
• At least one semester each of undergraduate real analysis and abstract algebra
• Official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate course work
• Three appropriate letters of recommendation
• Personal statement

A mathematics major may apply to the MS program as early as the junior year of their BS program provided that they are enrolled in or have completed MATH 301 - Abstract Algebra I and MATH 401 - Introduction to Real Analysis I  with a minimum grade of “C-“. Once accepted, students may begin taking graduate courses, which may also be counted as free electives toward the 120 required undergraduate credits. Students may take at most four courses at the 500-level counting toward the Mathematics MS degree while still enrolled in the undergraduate program. Although students may be accepted into the graduate program at this point, they will be classified as undergraduate students until the BS degree has been awarded. They will be classified as graduate students in the following semester.

Graduate Chair: Dr. Rachel Stahl

Submit Early Admission Application

The Physical Education, Strength and Conditioning Concentration MS program offers an accelerated pathway to allow students to complete both their Bachelors and Masters degree in as little as 5 years. In this accelerated pathway, students will complete their Bachelor of Science in Physical Education while having the opportunity to begin graduate level coursework as early as their 3rd year. These graduate courses will satisfy degree requirements at both the Undergraduate and Graduate level ensuring a true accelerated academic experience.

Access the free application for Early Acceptance to the Physical Education, Strength and Conditioning program.

Graduate Chair: Dr. Jennifer Mead

The Early Admission MA in Public Relations Program is designed for current undergraduates at Bridgewater State University who would like to earn BOTH an undergraduate degree and MA in PR degree in as little as 5 years. Students accepted into this program can take up to three (3) graduate courses at the undergraduate tuition rate and credits will be applied toward both their undergraduate and MA in Public Relations degrees, saving both time and money. The courses that can be taken (with a minim grade of “B-“) are:

• COMM 517 - Strategic Public Relations
• COMM 518 - Strategic Writing and Media Relations
• COMM 519 - Strategic Public Relations Research

Early Admission Application Requirements  

• BSU undergraduates may apply after after they have earned a minimum of 54 credits
• Accepted students can begin taking graduate courses as soon as they receive senior status and have earned a minimum of 84 credits
• Minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0
• Three letters of recommendation, with preference given to academic letters of reference
• Official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate course work
• Resumé demonstrating potential for leadership and academic achievement made evident by activities during undergraduate public relations, communication or other relevant studies or professional career
• A 450-500-word statement of purpose, including reasons for pursuing graduate work in this field and specific interest and experiences in this field
• Applicants to the MA in Public Relations Program should contact the Graduate Chair

Graduate Chair: Dr. Thomasena Shaw

Submit Early Admission Application

The Early Admission Program is for seniors at Bridgewater State University majoring in Elementary Education or Early Childhood Education, Literacy Teacher Professionals Concentration, BSE, who wish to take one graduate course in Reading for undergraduate credit, and thereby accelerate the completion of their MEd in Reading, Reading Specialist. The application fee for students seeking early admissions to the relevant graduate program will be waived.

If accepted, students will be granted special status to enroll in one graduate course in Reading for undergraduate credit. The graduate course that will be taken for undergraduate credit will be READ 550: Improving Literacy Instruction (3 credits).

Tuition for this course will be at the undergraduate course rate.

Admission requirements include:

• Be a Bridgewater State University senior, enrolled in the Elementary Education or Early Childhood Education, Literacy Teacher Professionals Concentration, BSE;
• Be enrolled in Education Cluster III of their Elementary Education or Early Childhood Education major; and
• File an application for admission to the College of Graduate Studies, MEd in Reading, Reading Specialist, to begin graduate coursework during the Practicum semester of the BSE program; and
• Have a 3.0 GPA.

Undergraduate students’ financial aid package will apply to the graduate course taken for undergraduate credit. The graduate course taken as an undergraduate will be counted as part of the requirements for the Elementary Education or Early Childhood Education, Literacy Teacher Professionals Concentration, BSE. Once the student completes their BSE, the graduate course that they have completed will be applied to their MEd requirements if they receive a grade of B or better.

Graduate Chair: Dr. Marlene Correia

Early Admission Program

The Early Admission Program is for seniors at Bridgewater State University majoring in Elementary Education or Early Childhood Education, Literacy Teacher Professionals Concentration, BSE, who wish to take one graduate course in Reading for undergraduate credit, and thereby accelerate the completion of their MEd in Reading, Language, Literacy, and Culture. The application fee for students seeking early admissions to the relevant graduate program will be waived.

If accepted, students will be granted special status to enroll in one graduate course in Reading for undergraduate credit. The graduate course that will be taken for undergraduate credit is READ 542: A Critical Review of Reading and Writing Across the Content Areas (3 credits). Tuition for this course will be at the undergraduate course rate.

Admission requirements include:

• Be a Bridgewater State University senior, enrolled in the Elementary Education or Early Childhood Education, Literacy Teacher Professionals Concentration, BSE;
• Be enrolled in Education Cluster III of their Elementary Education or Early Childhood Education major;
• File an application for admission to the College of Graduate Studies, MEd in Reading, Language, Literacy, and Culture, to begin graduate coursework during the Practicum semester of the BSE program; and
• Have a minimum 3.0 GPA.

Undergraduate students’ financial aid package will apply to the graduate course taken for undergraduate credit. The graduate course taken as an undergraduate will be counted as part of the requirements for the Elementary Education or Early Childhood Education, Literacy Teacher Professionals Concentration, BSE. Once the student completes their BSE, the graduate course that they have completed will be applied to their MEd requirements if they receive a grade of B or better.

Graduate Chair: Dr. Marlene Correia

The Early Admission Program is for seniors at Bridgewater State University majoring in Elementary Education, Special Education Concentration, BSE, who wish to take one graduate course in Special Education for undergraduate credit, and thereby accelerate the completion of their MEd in Special Education, Teacher of Students with Moderate Disabilities (PreK-8) (Initial Licensure) for Elementary and Early Childhood Teachers. Students can complete a BSE and MEd in Special Education within five years if they choose to be a full-time student. The application fee for students seeking early admissions to the relevant graduate program will be waived. 

If accepted, students will be granted special status to enroll in one graduate course in Special Education for undergraduate credit. The graduate course that will be taken for undergraduate credit is SPED 501: Professional Practices in Special Education (3 credits). Tuition for this course will be at the undergraduate course rate.

Admission requirements include:

• Be a Bridgewater State University senior, enrolled in the Elementary Education, Special Education Concentration, BSE;
• Be enrolled in Education Cluster III of their Elementary Education major;
• File an application for admission to the College of Graduate Studies, MEd in Special Education, Teacher of Students with Moderate Disabilities (PreK-8) (Initial Licensure) for Elementary and Early Childhood Teachers, to begin graduate coursework during the Practicum semester of the BSE program; and
• Have a GPA of 3.0.

Undergraduate students’ financial aid package will apply to the graduate course taken for undergraduate credit. The graduate course taken as an undergraduate will be counted as part of the requirements for the Elementary Education, Special Education Concentration, BSE. Once the student completes their BSE, the graduate course that they have completed will be transferred to their MEd requirements if they receive a grade of B or better.

Graduate Chair: Dr. Ashley Rodrigues

An undergraduate student may apply to the MEd in Student Affairs program while enrolled in their senior year at BSU if their undergraduate cumulative GPA at the time of application is at minimum of 3.0. Interested Students should apply for the program in their second to last semester. If students meet the admissions criteria, attend interview day, and are accepted, students will be allowed to take up to two courses (6 credits) in the Student Affairs Counseling concentration in the last semester of their senior year which will be counted towards their undergraduate degree and their master’s degree.

Undergraduate Students can choose up to two courses ( 6 credits) from the list below:

• CNSA 515 Foundations in Higher Education Counseling for Student Affairs Practice (Fall only)
• CNSA 525 Student Affairs Administration (Spring only)
• CNGC 539 Introduction to Career Counseling (Offered FA, SP, SU)

Undergraduate students’ financial aid package will apply to graduate courses taken for undergraduate credit, and there will be no additional charge for taking a graduate course in the evening.

Under the early admissions process, students will be admitted but will not be deemed as graduate students until conferral of the Bachelor’s degree. Completed graduate coursework with a grade of B or above taken as part of the undergraduate program of study will not need to be repeated as part of the graduate program of study.

Graduate Chair: Dr. Katherine Bender