Sociology 4+1 Programs

Location(s): Main Campus

4+1 BA-MA Program

Exceptional sociology majors have the opportunity to accelerate their education and complete both the BA and MA in five years. This 4+1 degree program is suitable for those students capable of undertaking graduate-level work in their senior year. It offers the benefit of an MA degree, which can be particularly valuable for students planning careers in public service and the nonprofit sector, as well as those who want to strengthen their skills and knowledge in preparation for PhD program applications. Students considering the program should consult the director of graduate studies.

Course Sequence and Timetable

Prior to their senior year, students must complete 96 credits that meet all of the undergraduate requirements for Harpur College, including upper-level writing and General Education courses. During the senior year, the student takes three 500-level graduate courses. Successful completion and defense of a BA honors thesis (enrolled as SOC 599 with thesis advisor) in the senior year may be substituted for one of these courses. The graduate credits earned in the senior year are doubly counted as undergraduate elective credits and MA credits. After the fourth or senior year, when all undergraduate requirements are met, the student will be awarded a BA degree. After that point, the student enrolls in graduate-level sociology courses at the 500 or 600 level. The student must complete each semester satisfactorily, with none of the undergraduate major courses below a grade of 3.0 and with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 for graduate coursework.

Application and Admissions

Students considering applying should first meet with the director of graduate studies and then apply for the 4+1 degree program no later than the beginning of the second semester of their junior year. Admission decisions for the 4+1 degree program will be made no later than spring of the junior year. Application and admissions processes are through the Sociology Department and subsequently the Graduate School. Applicants are expected to have a strong academic record: normally a cumulative GPA of 3.3 or better is required. Students must submit to the department:

A completed application form;
The names of two professors who may serve as references;
An 800-1,000 word maximum personal statement addressing the reasons for pursuing the MA and;
A writing sample.

Applicants should forward electronic copies of all documents to the Graduate Director of Sociology.

The applicant will be evaluated based on the quality of the grades, references, personal statement, writing sample and interview. Once approved by the department, the applicant will formally submit an application to the Graduate School.

Continuing Eligibility

Upon admission to the 4+1 degree program, successful completion of benchmark requirements is necessary for continued standing in the program. This includes:

Completion of the undergraduate degree in the fourth year of study;
Maintenance of a cumulative GPA of 3.3 or better;
Acceptance to the Graduate School by the beginning of the fifth year and;
Successful completion of coursework in the fall and spring semesters of the fifth year.

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 degree. During the fifth year in the 4+1 degree program, students are formally considered graduate students and pay graduate student tuition rates.

4+1 BA-MBA Program

Students have the opportunity to complete both the BA in Sociology and a Master of 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-MPA Program

Students have the opportunity to complete the BA in Sociology and a Master of Public Administration (MPA) in five years. Students should see their school advising office for questions regarding the curriculum for the undergraduate degree and the graduate program director in Public Administration 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 the BA in Sociology and a MS in Sustainable Communities in five years. Students should see their school advising office for questions regarding the curriculum for the undergraduate degree and the graduate program director in Sustainable Communities for questions regarding the MS program.

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

4+1 BA-MA SUST Program

Students have the opportunity to complete the BA in Sociology and a MA in Sustainable Communities in five years. Students should see their school advising office for questions regarding the curriculum for the undergraduate degree and the graduate program director in Sustainable Communities for questions regarding the MS program.

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

4+1 BA-MS HESA Program

Students have the opportunity to complete the BA in Sociology 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 curriculum for the undergraduate degree and the graduate program director in Student Affairs Administration for questions regarding the MS HESA program.

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

4+1 BA-MPH Program

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

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

4+1 BA-MA TESOL Program

Students have the opportunity to complete both the Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology and a Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (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.

4+1 BA-MS BioMed Program

Students have the opportunity to complete both their Bachelor’s Degree and a Master of Biomedical Anthropology (BioMed) 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 MS program.

Undergraduate credits: 126. Maximum Double counted credits: 18. Graduate credits: 43

4+1 BA-MS HR Program

Students have the opportunity to complete both their Bachelor’s Degree and a Master of 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-MS GMAP Program

Students have the opportunity to complete both their Bachelor’s Degree and a Master of 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