Jul 03, 2024

2024-2025 Binghamton University Academic Guide

Anthropology 4+1 Programs

Location(s): Main Campus

4+1 BA/BS-MA/MS Programs

The 4+1 program is designed for outstanding Binghamton University students who wish to combine either a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science degree with either a Master of Arts or a Master of Science in Anthropology or Biomedical Anthropology (BA/MA, BA/MS, BS/MA or BS/MS). Students majoring in Anthropology (BA or BS), Biology (BA or BS), Integrative Neuroscience (BS), and Linguistics (BA) can combine their undergraduate degree with a master’s degree (MA or MS) in Anthropology.

The 4+1 program enables students to graduate with both degrees in five years by taking a limited number of graduate courses while still undergraduate students. Up to 12 credits of graduate coursework (three 500-level courses) can be double-counted toward both graduate and undergraduate-level degree requirements. Students interested in the program are strongly encouraged to meet with the director of undergraduate studies.

For details on the curriculum, see the course worksheets online.

BA/BS Anthropology-MA Anthropology:

Undergraduate credits: 126. Double-count credits: 12. Graduate credits: 32.

BA/BS Anthropology-MS Biomedical Anthropology:

Undergraduate credits: 126. Double-count credits: 18. Graduate credits: 43.

Admission Process

Students may apply to the 4+1 program no earlier than their fourth semester and usually no later than the sixth semester of undergraduate study (i.e., with two semesters remaining until graduation). Students should submit their completed application to the director of undergraduate studies. There is no set deadline, and applications are considered on a rolling basis. Each applicant will be contacted by email shortly after submission to schedule an interview with the Admissions Committee, which consists of the anthropology undergraduate director, graduate director, and department chair. Applications are competitively evaluated based on the accompanying materials and the interview.

Eligibility

Anthropology BA/BS + Anthropology MA/MS

To be eligible for the 4+1 program, a student must be an anthropology major with a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or better. A complete application should include all of the following:

The application for admission to the 4+1 program.
The applicant’s Binghamton University transcript and transcripts from any other colleges or universities the applicant has attended.
Two letters of recommendation from Binghamton University faculty members (at least one of which must be in anthropology) attesting to the student’s potential in a graduate program.
A brief statement (one to two pages) discussing why you are applying for the 4+1 degree program, which areas of anthropology you will concentrate in, whether you have specific research interests you might like to pursue for the master’s thesis (or biomedical anthropology or archaeology internship), and why you believe Binghamton’s Anthropology Department is a good place for you to pursue these goals.

Biology BA/BS + Anthropology MS

To be eligible for the 4+1 program, a student must be a biology major with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 and a minimum 3.3 GPA within the major. A complete application should include all of the following:

The application for admission to the 4+1 program.
The applicant’s Binghamton University transcript and transcripts from any other colleges or universities the applicant has attended.
Two letters of recommendation from Binghamton University faculty members (One must be from a professor in anthropology and one must be from a professor in biology) attesting to the student’s potential in a graduate program.
A brief statement (one to two pages) explaining the applicant’s interest in the program, the areas of anthropology that most interest them, whether they have specific interests they might like to pursue for their biomedical anthropology internship, and what their professional plans are after receiving their master’s degree.

Integrative Neuroscience (BS) + Anthropology MS

To be eligible for the 4+1 program, a student must be an integrative neuroscience major with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 and a minimum 3.3 GPA within the major. A complete application should include all of the following:

The application for admission to the 4+1 program.
The applicant’s Binghamton University transcript and transcripts from any other colleges or universities the applicant has attended.
Two letters of recommendation from Binghamton University faculty members (One must be from a professor in anthropology and one must be from a professor in integrative neuroscience) attesting to the student’s potential in a graduate program.
A brief statement (one to two pages) explaining the applicant’s interest in the program, the areas of anthropology that most interest them, whether they have specific interests they might like to pursue for their biomedical anthropology internship, and what their professional plans are after receiving their master’s degree.

Linguistics BA + Anthropology MA

To be eligible for the 4+1 program, a student must be a linguistics major and have a minimum 3.3 GPA within the major. A complete application should include all of the following:

The application for admission to the 4+1 program.
The applicant’s Binghamton University transcript and transcripts from any other colleges or universities the applicant has attended.
Two letters of recommendation from Binghamton University faculty members (One must be from a professor in anthropology, and one must be from a professor in linguistics) attesting to the student’s potential in a graduate program.
A brief statement (one to two pages) explaining the applicant’s interest in the program, whether they have specific interests they might like to pursue for their master’s thesis, and what their professional plans are after receiving their master’s degree.

Continuing Eligibility

Upon admission to the 4+1 degree program, successful completion of benchmark degree requirements is necessary for continued standing in the program and timely degree completion. Failure to meet these requirements will not necessarily result in the student being removed from the program but may delay the time to degree completion. While some requirements vary according to the specific 4+1 degree into which the student has been accepted, benchmark requirements applicable to all students admitted include all of the following:

Successful completion of the undergraduate degree in the fourth year of study, including all General Education and Harpur College requirements for graduation.
Maintenance of the minimum GPA requirements.
Receipt of grades of “B-” or better in all graduate coursework.
Successful application to and acceptance by the Graduate School (during the final semester of undergraduate studies).

For students pursuing the Master of Arts (MA) in Anthropology degree:

Formation of a faculty committee willing to supervise the student’s MA thesis by the beginning of the fifth year.
Successful completion of the graduate foreign language requirement for all

MA students. Harpur undergraduate language requirements may fulfill this requirement.
Successful completion of either an MA thesis or a 2-paper thesis option.

For students pursuing the Master of Arts (MA) in Anthropology, Public Archaeology (MAPA) degree:

Formation of a faculty committee willing to supervise the student’s MA thesis by the beginning of the fifth year.
Completion of the required internship, usually during the summer between the fourth and fifth years (i.e., after graduation with the BA/BS).
Presentation of MA colloquium (outlining the thesis topic) by the beginning of the fifth year.
Successful completion of either an MA thesis or a 2-paper thesis option.

For students pursuing the Master of Science (MS) in Biomedical Anthropology degree:

Completion of the required internship, usually during the summer between the fourth and fifth years (i.e., after graduation with the BA/BS).
Successful completion of the oral presentation of the internship during the fifth year.
Successful completion of the MS exit interview administered by the faculty.

Tuition and Financial Aid

Students admitted to the 4+1 degree program are formally considered undergraduates and pay undergraduate tuition rates for the first four years of the program until they graduate with the BA/BS degree. During the fifth year in the program, students are formally considered graduate students and pay graduate student tuition rates. Students must complete one year as a full-time graduate student (i.e., a minimum of 18 credits) for the University to award the graduate degree.

4+1 BA/BS-MBA Program

Students have the opportunity to complete a bachelor’s degree in Anthropology (BA or BS) and a Master in Business Administration (MBA) in five years. Students should see their school advising office for questions regarding the curriculum for the undergraduate degree and the School of Management Graduate Advising Office for questions regarding the MBA program.

Undergraduate credits: 126. Maximum Double counted credits: 18. Graduate credits: 32.

4+1 BA/BS-MPA Program

Students have the opportunity to complete a bachelor’s degree in Anthropology (BA or BS) and a Master of Public Administration (MPA) in five years. Students should see their school advising office for questions regarding the undergraduate degree curriculum and the graduate program director for questions regarding the MPA program.

Undergraduate credits: 126. Maximum Double counted credits: 18. Graduate credits: 42.

4+1 BA-MS SUST Program

Students have the opportunity to complete a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology and a Master of Science in Sustainable Communities (MS SUST) in five years. Students should see their school advising office for questions regarding the undergraduate degree curriculum and the graduate program director for questions regarding the MS program.

Undergraduate credits: 126. Maximum Double counted credits: 18. Graduate credits: 38.

4+1 BA/BS-MA SUST Program

Students have the opportunity to complete a bachelor’s degree in Anthropology (BA or BS) and a Master of Arts in Sustainable Communities (MA SUST) in five years. Students should see their school advising office for questions regarding the undergraduate degree curriculum and the graduate program director for questions regarding the MA program.

Undergraduate credits: 126. Maximum Double counted credits: 18. Graduate credits: 38.

4+1 BA/BS-MS HESA Program

Students have the opportunity to complete a bachelor’s degree in Anthropology (BA or BS) and a Master of Science in Higher Education and Student Affairs (MS HESA) in five years. Students should see their school advising office for questions regarding the undergraduate degree curriculum and the graduate program director for questions regarding the MS HESA program.

Undergraduate credits: 126. Maximum Double counted credits: 18. Graduate credits: 45.

4+1 BA/BS-MPH Program

Students have the opportunity to complete a bachelor’s degree in Anthropology (BA or BS) and a Master in Public Health (MPH) in five years. Students should see their school advising office for questions regarding the undergraduate degree curriculum and the graduate program director for questions regarding the MPH program.

Undergraduate credits: 126. Maximum Double counted credits: 18. Graduate credits: 48.

4+1 BA/BS-MS BioMed Program

Students have the opportunity to complete a bachelor’s degree in Anthropology (BA or BS) and a Master of Science in Biomedical Anthropology (MS BioMed) in five years. Students should see their school advising office for questions regarding the undergraduate degree curriculum and the graduate program director for questions regarding the MS program.

Undergraduate credits: 126. Maximum Double counted credits: 12. Graduate credits: 43

4+1 BA/BS-MS HR Program

Students have the opportunity to complete a bachelor’s degree in Anthropology (BA or BS) and a Master of Science in Human Rights (MS HR) in five years. Students should see their school advising office for questions regarding the curriculum for the undergraduate degree and the College of Community and Public Affairs Graduate Advising Office for questions regarding the MS HR program.

Undergraduate credits: 126. Maximum Double counted credits: 18. Graduate credits: 36

4+1 BA/BS-MS GMAP Program

Students have the opportunity to complete a bachelor’s degree in Anthropology (BA or BS) and a Master of Science in Genocide and Mass Atrocity Prevention (MS GMAP) in five years. Students should see their school advising office for questions regarding the curriculum for the undergraduate degree and the College of Community and Public Affairs Graduate Advising Office for questions regarding the MS GMAP program.

Undergraduate credits: 126. Maximum Double counted credits: 18. Graduate credits: 45

4+1 BA/BS-MA TESOL Program

Students have the opportunity to complete a bachelor’s degree in Anthropology (BA or BS) and a Master of Arts in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (MA TESOL) MA in five years. Students should see their school advising office for questions regarding the curriculum for the undergraduate degree and the graduate program director for questions regarding the MA program.

Undergraduate credits: 126. Maximum Double counted credits: 12. Graduate credits: 33.