Program Overview

Introduction to the 4+1 BS/MS Degree Program

The 4+1 BS/MS combined degree program is designed for computer science majors who wish to pursue a master's degree in computer science while completing their bachelor's degree credits. This program offers a streamlined approach towards a master's degree, allowing students to complete both degrees within five calendar years.

Criteria for Admittance

To be eligible for the 4+1 BS/MS degree program, students must meet the following criteria:

• Able to complete both degrees within five calendar years, beginning with the student's first term as a degree-seeking student at Purdue, regardless of major, campus, or discontinuities in registration.
• Only two semesters of undergraduate education remaining (Fall or Spring). Summer is not considered a semester. Students who apply before their sixth semester will be expected to complete their BS in fewer than eight semesters.
• 100 credit hours completed by the end of the semester in which the application is submitted.
• CS GPA Requirement: 3.5 GPA in Computer Science courses.
• Cumulative GPA 3.0
• Data Science and AI majors are not eligible for the combined degree program.

Program Structure

The combined degree program consists of two "combined year" semesters and two MS year semesters. Students who are able to complete their BS in fewer than eight semesters should apply in the third-to-last undergraduate semester and complete the program in less than five years.

Course Requirements

Nine credits of approved graduate-level courses can be used as free electives or to satisfy track requirements for the BS program and also for MS program requirements. BS/MS students are permitted to double count, i.e., use a graduate course to meet both a CS BS requirement and a CS MS requirement, but they may not triple count any course.

Specified CS Courses

Applicants must demonstrate a solid foundation and show potential for success in graduate courses through course and GPA requirements. The following nine courses must be completed with a regular grade prior to admission:

• All CS core courses: CS18000, CS18200, CS24000, CS25000, CS25100, CS25200
• CS38100 Introduction to Analysis of Algorithms
• Two additional courses from the specified list

Application Deadlines

• Fall start of BS/MS Degree Program: May 15th (apply between April 15th - May 15th only)
• Spring start of BS/MS Degree Program: December 15th (apply November 15th - December 15th only)

Admission Requirements and Process

Students who apply should have a GPA of at least 3.5 in the specified CS courses and a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0. The admission process involves:

1. Completing a term-by-term plan of study to include all remaining courses for both BS and MS degrees.
2. Obtaining approval from the Undergraduate Advisor and the MS Graduate Program Coordinator.
3. Completing and signing a Graduate School Form 27 (Combined-Degree Program Request).
4. Submitting the electronic graduate application.
5. Sending an email with a statement indicating the application has been submitted, attaching the approved plan of study and Form 27.

Program Policies and Procedures

Students are responsible for knowing and following program policies, procedures, requirements, and expectations. The program has specific policies regarding plan of study, residence requirement, withdrawal, and graduation/candidacy.

Plan of Study

After admission to the program, the student will have an advisor for each degree. Changes to the BS/MS plan of study must be approved by the student's undergraduate advisor and the MS Graduate Program Coordinator.

Residence Requirement

The BS/MS program is an accelerated pathway to a graduate degree, and participants are expected to remain on the Purdue West Lafayette campus during the combined and MS years.

Withdrawal

Students who withdraw from the BS/MS program may continue as BS students only. Any 500- or 600-level courses used toward the completion of the BS degree may not be counted toward a graduate degree if the student later applies for the MS program and is admitted.

Graduation/Candidacy

CS graduate students must declare candidacy to graduate. BS/MS students should declare candidacy by the end of the first week of classes of their second MS semester.