BA/MA Policies and Procedures

Queens College BA/MA Policies and Procedures

 
1) Basic Principle

The BA/MA program is a single accelerated program which awards two degrees.

2) Application Process

Students will apply for the program as advanced sophomores or early juniors through the Office of Graduate Studies (Kiely Hall, Room 139), following normal procedures including GPA expectations, letters of recommendation, personal statement, etc. Transfer students who enter the college with advanced standing should apply for the program as soon as possible – normally, as soon as they have taken a few courses in the appropriate discipline at Queens.

3) Transcripts

On acceptance by OGS and the department, the students’ major code will be changed to that appropriate for their program (e.g., 025 for the Computer Science BA/MA). They will have a single transcript reflecting the single program they are in, and both degrees will appear on the transcript on completion of the program. Their GPA will be calculated on the basis of all the courses taken in the combined program.

4) Degrees Awarded

The BA/MA program is a single program which awards two degrees, a BA and an MA, and the transcript will indicate each degree that is awarded. Normally, both degrees would be awarded on completion of the program, but a student may apply through the OGS for a BA degree on completion of the undergraduate requirements, and then be awarded an MA on completion of the remaining BA/MA requirements. (If such a student is foreign, the Office of International Student Services should be informed, in case of visa implications.) As this is an accelerated program, it would not be customary for students to interrupt their program between the BA and MA stages. Although the students’ course work might also qualify for a BS degree, this degree cannot be awarded to students in the BA/MA program.

5) Tuition

As outlined in the catalog, admitted students will pay the undergraduate tuition rate for the first 120 credits. Beyond 120 credits, all courses, whether undergraduate or graduate, are at the graduate rate.

6) Grading Policy and Status

Some Queens College policies differ for undergraduate and graduate students. For example, for an undergraduate, an INC changes to an F after one semester, while for graduates INC’s remain indefinitely. Students in BA/MA programs are subject to the undergraduate policy for courses taken in the first 120 credits and to the graduate policy thereafter. Similarly, after 120 credits, students will be subject to the graduate rule that the GPA may not fall below 3.0; this is reasonable, since BA/MA programs are accelerated and meant for superior students.

7) Courses Not Taken at Queens College

The number of courses students, including transfer students, take at Queens College will be consistent with applicable state, university, and college regulations.

8) Maintenance of Records

After applications have been processed by OGS and the department, students’ records will be maintained in the Graduate Admissions office.