Bachelor's + Master's in History

EARN A BACHELOR'S + MASTER'S IN HISTORY

The Department of History at Portland State University offers advanced and motivated undergraduate students the opportunity to share up to 20 credits of graduate level work between their bachelor's and master's degrees. The program saves both time and money as students earn dual credit and are charged undergraduate tuition for the graduate credits earned while still completing the bachelor's degree.

APPLICATION DEADLINE

Deadline	Start Term
May 1	Fall Quarter

QUESTIONS?

Undergraduates interested in the B+M program should contact the History Department’s Graduate Studies Coordinator, Brian Turner as early as possible. For questions about the admissions application, contact grdstudy@pdx.edu.

Graduate School

BA/BS + MA FAQ

Sample Program

Program Specific Admission Requirements:

Undergraduates interested in the B+M program must meet the following admission requirements at the time of the annual application deadline, 1 May.

Requirements for admission into the B+M program:
- minimum 3.3 GPA in all classes
- minimum 3.5 GPA in History courses
- completion of no less than 120 credits by 1 May
- Completion of HST 300 and at least one HST 400-level course by 1 May
Strongly Recommend for admission into the B+M program:
- Completion of MA second language competency requirement or a clear plan to do so as part of their program

Application Process:

By May 1 students must submit the following materials via the application form:

Statement of Purpose (approximately 500 words) describing your specific area(s) of interest in history, your preparation for advanced study in the chosen field(s), and your reasons for pursuing a master’s degree. Your statement should also address your language preparation, especially if you intend to pursue a field where a specific language is necessary.
Writing samples totaling 10 pages, ideally from a 400-level class
The names of two PSU History faculty members who will write recommendation letters for you.
your transcripts

Program Specific Continuation Requirements:

Once admitted into the B+M program students must meet the following requirements in order to transition directly from the bachelor’s to the master’s program:

completion of at least three 500 level courses in the student’s final year of the bachelor’s degree, one of which must be HST 500 in fall term.
students must maintain an institutional undergraduate GPA of 3.30 or higher throughout their bachelor’s program and earn a B grade or higher in all graduate courses.
resolve incompletes within one term.
while being admitted into the B+M program and completing the bachelor’s degree guarantees admission into the MA program, students must still formally apply to the MA program via Slate by the regular 1 February deadline.
students must complete their bachelor’s degree by 31 August in the year after they are admitted to the B+M program in order to matriculate into the MA program.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Students interested in the bachelor’s plus master’s degree program should contact the History Department’s Graduate Studies Coordinator, Brian Turner for advising. They should also review the MA Program FAQs.

What’s the timeline to enter the B+M program?
The annual deadline for applications to the program is 1 May. By that date, students must have completed a minimum of 120 credits, HST 300 and at least one 400-level HST course. Decisions will be made by the end of May. Admitted students may then take Graduate level classes that summer, and must enroll in HST 500 in the fall.

How long will the program take to complete?
The timeline for every student is different. In theory, it will be possible to complete the B+M program in five years, however progress on program requirements (especially the Thesis) will ultimately determine the date of completion.

How many graduate level courses can I take if admitted to the B+M program?
Students admitted to the B+M program must complete a minimum of 12 credits (three 500-level HST courses of which HST 500 must be one) as part of their bachelor’s program. Students may count a maximum of 20 credits (usually equal to five courses) as shared credit for both their bachelor’s and master’s degree.

What happens if I don’t meet the Program Specific Continuation Requirements, e.g. I don’t maintain a 3.30, I receive a B- in a Graduate course, or I do not successfully complete HST 500 plus two additional Graduate level courses in the final year of my bachelor’s program?
Students who do not meet the continuation requirements may still graduate with a bachelor’s degree but will have their admission to the Graduate Program canceled. They may, if they wish, apply again via the regular admission process but would not benefit from the B+M shared coursework.

I’m a BS student, can I still apply? What should I do about the second language requirement?
The university requires all MA students to fulfill the second language requirement. If you have not done so as part of an undergraduate BA degree, you should explain how you intend to fulfill this requirement in your application. Further information regarding language requirements can be found on the Departments MA Program FAQs.

I’m writing an Honors Thesis, can those courses be counted at the Graduate Level?
No, whether you are writing an Honors thesis via the Honors College or History Department requirements, you will do so at the undergraduate level. HST 500 courses should be taken in parallel. That said, if admitted into the B+M program you should discuss with your adviser the potential of using your Honors Thesis work as preparation for your Master's Thesis.

Can I take 500-level By-Arrangement courses as part of the B+M program?
In theory yes, but ultimately that decision is up to individual faculty who will be teaching such courses. It is strongly recommended that shared-credit courses be those that form part of the regularly scheduled curriculum.

Can I fulfill the undergraduate HST 491-492 seminar sequence requirement by taking HST 591-592 (and thus partially fulfill my Graduate requirements)?
Yes, Graduate level courses that match a specific undergraduate requirement will fulfill requirements at both the undergraduate and graduate level.

Can I take summer courses at the Graduate level in order to fulfill B+M requirements?
Yes, if offered, you may take and count Graduate level courses for dual credit starting the summer of your admission to the program.

Do you have some maps to show what the program might look like?
Yes! You can see a sample map of a full, five-year program above, via the green 'Sample Program' button.
For a one-page version showing just the final year of the UG program and a single year of MA work, consult the following: