Integrated Bachelor's/Master's Degree Programs

Approved 4/22/04

An integrated degree program allows students to complete an undergraduate degree, in the same disciplinary area, within a timeframe that may be less than the traditional bachelor’s and master’s programs. Students take undergraduate- and graduate-level courses simultaneously beginning as early as the second semester of their junior year. Integrated degrees are normally a five- to six-year program for currently enrolled Illinois State University students.

Admission Requirements

An applicant to an integrated program must be an Illinois State University undergraduate or a transfer student with 60 hours or less. Students who have received a bachelor’s degree are not eligible for admission into an integrated program except under the provisions of obtaining a second bachelor’s degree.

Admission to the integrated program generally occurs by the end of the sophomore year but with no more than 66 hours of required undergraduate coursework earned. After completing 75 undergraduate hours, the student must take any graduate standardized tests required by the program and apply for the graduate program (paying the graduate application fee). After 88 hours there is a preliminary audit of the undergraduate degree. At this time the student must have a 3.0 GPA and is eligible to enroll in graduate courses (400 level). The student remains classified as an undergraduate until 120 hours are completed, after which time they will be classified as a graduate student. Continuance in the integrated program is contingent upon meeting the minimum 3.0 GPA and other requirements needed for receiving both degrees. A department or school may establish a higher GPA for admissions and continuance. 

Financial Eligibility

After completing 120 undergraduate hours, the student is (a) assessed tuition and fees at the graduate level, (b) eligible for financial aid at the graduate level, and (c) eligible for graduate assistantships, scholarships, fellowships, or other types of support or recognition normally available to graduate students.

Exit Options

For the integrated program, the master’s with thesis (4-6 hours of 499) or master’s without thesis options are utilized. The master’s without thesis option includes a comprehensive examination or culminating requirement demonstrating a mature application of skills and knowledge (e.g., professional practice, project, colloquia, or recital).

Withdrawal from Integrated Programs

Students contemplating withdrawal from the integrated program should contact their advisor. Students may elect to receive the bachelor’s degree if they have completed the appropriate requirements. Students who elect to receive the bachelor’s degree are terminated from the integrated program and are not eligible to be readmitted to or to receive an integrated degree. Students with bachelor’s degree may seek admission to the regular master’s program.

Time Limit

Students have seven years from the time of first enrollment in courses as an integrated degree student to complete the program (both degrees). Requests for extensions will be processed through the Graduate School. Use the “Request to Extend Time to Complete Masters/Doctoral Degree Program” form to request an extension of time available at Grad.IllinoisState.edu/students/forms.

Application for Degree Completion

After earning 88 hours toward the bachelor’s degree, and early in the semester in which completion of the master’s degree program is anticipated, the student applies separately for each degree, paying the appropriate fee for each. At that time, a master’s Degree Audit is submitted to the Graduate School. For the commencement ceremony, the student is listed in both the bachelor’s and master’s sections of the commencement booklet and, if appropriate, listed for undergraduate honors. The application to participate in commencement is part of the degree completion application and is filed with the Graduate School Office. The commencement participation form will be forwarded to the staff in the Graduation Services unit.

To locate the degree completion application visit Grad.IllinoisState.edu/students/forms.

All policies and regulations that apply to undergraduate or graduate degree programs also apply to the integrated degree programs except as specifically differentiated in this section. The only integrated undergraduate/graduate degree program offered at this time is the Integrated Bachelor of Science (B.S.)/Master of Professional Accountancy (M.P.A.).