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Combined BS (or BA)/MS Degree Program

Northwestern University
Evanston , United States
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About Program

Program Overview

Introduction to the Combined BS/MS Degree Program

The Combined BS/MS Degree Program at Northwestern University's McCormick School of Engineering allows undergraduates to pursue a bachelor's degree (BS) and master's degree (MS) simultaneously, shortening the time required to earn a master's degree. This program is available to Computer Science students in both the McCormick School of Engineering and the Weinberg College, resulting in a BA degree from Weinberg and an MS from McCormick.


Benefits of the Combined BS/MS Degree Program

The benefits of a BS/MS or BA/MS degree include better job prospects and efficient use of college experience. Studies show that newly employed computer science graduates holding a master's degree have the potential to make almost 50 percent more money than engineering candidates with only a bachelor's degree and no experience. Job candidates with a master's degree generally stand out in a field of applicants more so than similar candidates with a BS and no experience.


Eligibility Requirements

Any Northwestern undergraduate enrolled in the Weinberg College or the McCormick School of Engineering is eligible to apply. Students in the undergraduate computer science and electrical and computer engineering programs are especially encouraged to consider the programs, as are McCormick and Weinberg students more generally. The prerequisite courses for the MS in computer science are:


  • COMP_SCI 111
  • COMP_SCI 211
  • COMP_SCI 212 (formerly EECS 310)
  • COMP_SCI 213
  • COMP_SCI 214 (formerly EECS 311)

Applying to the Combined BS/MS Degree Program

For details on application requirements, deadlines, and the process, please refer to the information provided on the McCormick Combined Degree webpage.


Requirements to Complete the CS MS

The general requirements are that you satisfactorily complete 12 courses, with three of the courses being 400-level courses. Beyond the general requirements, there are three options available for the MS program: coursework, project, or thesis. For information on the requirements for the three options, see the CS MS Graduate Manual.


Counting Undergraduate Work Toward an MS

Yes, but you may not use those same courses to fulfill requirements for both your BS/BA and MS. In other words, a course can only fulfill requirements for one degree (the BS/BA or the MS) not both.


Choosing a Master's Program in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or Computer Science

This depends on your interests and your career or research goals. If you are already in the ECE or CE undergraduate program, the choice of an MS EE or CE will let you acquire considerably more depth (and thus market value) in these areas. On the other hand, the choice of an MS in CS will broaden the range of positions for which you are suited.


Completing the Program

The time it will take you to complete the program is dependent upon how well you have managed your undergraduate degree and careful planning in structuring your master's plan. Students who enter the University with several AP credits can, with planning, complete the degree in four years. Students who switched majors and had little or no AP credit will probably take five years.


Cost

The quarterly tuition for the BS/MS or BA/MS is the same as the tuition for a BS or BA. The bottom line is that if you plan well and complete both degrees in five years, you will pay for an extra year of college, but you will have two degrees (two diplomas).


Financial Aid

Undergraduates are eligible to receive NU scholarship assistance up to the equivalent of 12 quarters of enrollment. It may be possible that some of the courses for the master's degree could be taken before you complete your undergraduate degree. You should contact the McCormick registrar or your adviser to see when your undergraduate degree will be awarded and if you have room to take some graduate-level courses.


Deciding You Don't Want an MS

This is your choice, and it will not affect your BS or BA degree. Once you complete the BS/BA requirements, you will be awarded the BS/BA. You should know, however, that The Graduate School allows you five years to complete the MS. If you simply want to complete the program as a part-time student or if you want to take time off, you should discuss your options with your graduate adviser and file the appropriate paperwork so that you will be able to complete the program at a later point in time.


Program Details

  • Computer Science Major (BS/BA Degrees)
  • Computer Science Minor
  • Artificial Intelligence Minor
  • Machine Learning and Data Science Minor
  • Intro Courses
  • Undergraduate Research
  • Student Groups & Organizations
  • Special Programs & Opportunities
  • Undergraduate Programs
  • Peer Mentors

Research Areas

  • Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
  • Human-Computer Interaction
  • Programming Languages
  • Quantum Science and Engineering
  • Robotics
  • Security and Privacy
  • Systems and Networking
  • Theory
  • Vision and Graphics

Graduate Programs

  • MS in Computer Science
    • Curriculum & Requirements
    • Master of Science in Computer Science
  • PhD in Computer Science
    • Curriculum & Requirements
    • PhD in Computer Science
  • Admissions
    • Admissions
    • Admissions FAQ
  • Financial Aid
  • Student Groups & Organizations
  • Graduate Programs

People

  • Faculty
    • Tenure-Track Faculty
    • Faculty of Instruction
    • Affiliated Faculty
    • Adjunct Faculty
    • Emeritus Faculty
  • Staff
  • Postdoctoral Fellows and Research Associates
  • PhD Students
  • Outgoing PhDs and Postdocs
  • Visiting Scholars
  • Advisory Board

News & Events

  • News
    • All News
    • News Archive
  • Newsletters
    • Newsletter
    • Weekly Bulletin
  • All Public Events
  • Seminars, Workshops, & Talks
    • Seminars, Workshops, & Talks
    • Distinguished Lecture Series
    • CS Colloquium Series
    • CS + X Events
    • Tech Talk Series
  • Honors and Awards
    • Honors & Awards
    • External Faculty Awards
    • University Awards
    • Department Awards

Resources

  • Student Resources
    • Undergraduate Student Resources
    • MS Student Resources
    • PhD Student Resources
    • Student Organization Resources
  • Faculty Resources
  • Postdoc Resources
  • Staff Resources
  • Travel
  • Purchasing, Procurement and Vendor Payment
  • Expense Reimbursements
  • Department Operations and Facilities
  • Teaching Development

Contact

  • Northwestern Engineering

Explore CS+X

  • Academics
    • Academics
    • Undergraduate
    • Undergraduate Programs
    • Computer Science Major (BS/BA Degrees)
    • Computer Science Minor
    • Artificial Intelligence Minor
    • Machine Learning and Data Science Minor
    • Combined BS (or BA)/MS Degree Program
    • Intro Courses
    • Undergraduate Research
      • Undergraduate Research
      • Research Track
      • Senior Thesis
    • Student Groups & Organizations
    • Special Programs & Opportunities
    • Peer Mentors
    • Graduate
    • Graduate Programs
    • MS in Computer Science
      • Master of Science in Computer Science
      • Curriculum & Requirements
    • PhD in Computer Science
      • PhD in Computer Science
      • Curriculum & Requirements
    • Admissions
      • Admissions
      • Admissions FAQ
    • Financial Aid
    • Student Groups & Organizations
    • Courses

Academics

  • Undergraduate
    • Combined BS (or BA)/MS Degree Program

The Benefits

The benefits of a BS/MS or BA/MS degree are many, including better job prospects and efficient use of your college experience. Studies show that newly employed computer science graduates holding a master's degree have the potential to make almost 50 percent more money than engineering candidates with only a bachelor's degree and no experience.


Eligibility Requirements

Any Northwestern undergraduate enrolled in the Weinberg College or the McCormick School of Engineering is eligible to apply. Students in the undergraduate computer science and electrical and computer engineering programs are especially encouraged to consider the programs, as are McCormick and Weinberg students more generally.


Applying

For details on application requirements, deadlines, and the process, please refer to the information provided on the McCormick Combined Degree webpage.


Requirements to Complete the MS

The general requirements are that you satisfactorily complete 12 courses. Three of the courses must be 400-level courses. Beyond the general requirements, however, there are three options available for the MS program: coursework, project, or thesis.


Counting Undergraduate Work Toward an MS

Yes, but you may not use those same courses to fulfill requirements for both your BS/BA and MS. In other words, a course can only fulfill requirements for one degree (the BS/BA or the MS) not both.


Choosing a Master's Program in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or Computer Science

This depends on your interests and your career or research goals. If you are already in the ECE or CE undergraduate program, the choice of an MS EE or CE will let you acquire considerably more depth (and thus market value) in these areas. On the other hand, the choice of an MS in CS will broaden the range of positions for which you are suited.


Completing the Program

The time it will take you to complete the program is dependent upon how well you have managed your undergraduate degree and careful planning in structuring your master's plan. Students who enter the University with several AP credits can, with planning, complete the degree in four years. Students who switched majors and had little or no AP credit will probably take five years.


Cost

The quarterly tuition for the BS/MS or BA/MS is the same as the tuition for a BS or BA. The bottom line is that if you plan well and complete both degrees in five years, you will pay for an extra year of college, but you will have two degrees (two diplomas).


Financial Aid

Undergraduates are eligible to receive NU scholarship assistance up to the equivalent of 12 quarters of enrollment. It may be possible that some of the courses for the master's degree could be taken before you complete your undergraduate degree.


Deciding You Don't Want an MS

This is your choice, and it will not affect your BS or BA degree. Once you complete the BS/BA requirements, you will be awarded the BS/BA. You should know, however, that The Graduate School allows you five years to complete the MS.


For More Information

Visit the McCormick School of Engineering website for more information.


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