Program Overview

Bachelor's–Accelerated Master's (BAM) Program

The Bachelor's–Accelerated Master's (BAM) program offers current CU Boulder Mechanical, Environmental, and Integrated Design Engineering (emphasis in ME) undergraduate students the opportunity to receive both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in a shorter period of time. Students receive the bachelor’s degree first, but begin taking graduate coursework as undergraduates, typically in their senior year. Because some courses are allowed to double-count for both the bachelor’s and the master’s degrees, students receive a master’s degree in less time and at a lower cost than if they were to enroll in a stand-alone master’s degree program after completion of their BS. In addition, staying at CU Boulder to pursue a BAM program enables a student to continue working with their established faculty mentors.

Admissions

• Students apply to the BAM ME program after completing all admission eligibility requirements.
• Eligibility requirements vary based on UG major.
• Students must apply to graduate with their bachelor’s degree and apply to continue with the master’s degree early in the semester when the undergraduate requirements will be completed or as soon as they complete all eligibility requirements by submitting the BAM Intent Form.

Academics

• All students admitted to the BAM ME program are automatically an MS Professional student.
• The MS Professional track is a coursework-based degree plan, no final project or comprehensive exam is required.
• There is an MS Thesis, research-based, degree track as well.
• Both degree tracks earn an MS in Mechanical Engineering, the curriculum and degree requirements are different.

Degree Tracks

• MS Professional
• MS Thesis

Course Requirements

• For the BAM ME professional and thesis program, students may take up to 12-13 credit hours which can later be used toward the master’s degree while in the undergraduate program.
• However, only six credits out of those 12-13 may be double-counted toward the bachelor’s degree and the master’s degree.
• To have courses count towards the master's degree, they must be 5000-level or higher and completed with a C or higher.

BS to MS Transition

• In the final semester of your bachelor’s degree work, complete these steps to continue with the master's degree:
  • Apply to graduate with your bachelor's degree.
  • Submit a master's continuation form.
  • Submit a BAM supplement form.
• The last day to complete all three steps is:
  • Oct. 1 for fall graduates
  • Feb. 1 for spring graduates
  • March 1 for summer graduates

Financial Information

• Prior to completing the baccalaureate degree, students are assessed undergraduate tuition rates.
• Once admitted to the master's program, students are assessed graduate tuition rates.
• In-state graduate students are assessed resident graduate tuition, but do not receive COF.
• In addition, graduate students receiving financial aid are considered for different types and amounts of aid.
• Graduate students are primarily offered student loans.

Withdrawal/Discontinuation from BAM

• If you're a BAM student and your expected graduation term has changed, or if you've decided not to continue with the master's degree, submit a BAM program change/discontinuation form.
• If you’re a BAM student and you no longer want to continue with the master's degree, please submit a withdrawal form.
• There is no punitive mark on your transcript that denotes that you withdrew from the BAM program.
• Please pay attention to the withdrawal dates for any possible financial implications.