Description

The Integrated B.A./M.A. program in International Studies at the School of Global and International Studies at Indiana University is a distinctive opportunity reserved for top B.A. students currently in International Studies to pursue advanced studies and complete both a Bachelor's and a Master's degree consecutively. The five-year integrated program is aimed principally at students who would like to develop their intellectual and professional capabilities from a cross-cultural and international perspective. It is also open to students interested in academic and research-oriented careers.

Admission Eligibility

The Integrated B.A./M.A. program is open to International Studies majors who have:

• Demonstrated strong academic performance (College GPA of 3.500 or higher and International Studies Major GPA of 3.600 or higher)
• Demonstrated a high level of maturity and clear intent to pursue a Master's degree
• Completed 12 credits in the International Studies major (2 core courses and 2 thematic courses)
• Will complete the campus's General Education requirements in the semester of application

Application deadlines are November 1 for Spring admission, or March 1 for Fall admission. See the Department of International Studies website for more information.

Degree Requirements

Students must complete all of the degree requirements for the Bachelor of Arts, including the requirements for the major in International Studies. Students must also complete the requirements for the Master of Arts in International Studies as listed in the Graduate School Bulletin.

For the B.A. major in International Studies, students in the integrated B.A./M.A. program will be allowed to substitute the following courses:

• INTL-I 680 for INTL-I 400
• INTL-I 515 for INTL-I 315

Consequently, B.A. students who wish to take advantage of these substitutions must complete six (6) additional credit hours in International Studies courses at the 300 or 400 level.

Additional Requirements

1. No credit hours earned at the graduate level may be counted toward the B.A. degree and no credit hours earned at the undergraduate level may be counted towards the M.A. degree.
2. Students in the program are normally classified as undergraduates until the end of the first semester in which 120 or more credit hours toward graduation have been earned. At that point, students will submit an application to the University Graduate School to initiate the transition to graduate status.
   1. If the transition to graduate status is delayed beyond this time, Master's status will normally revert to undergraduate status.
   2. Students not in good standing at this time are dropped from the program and reclassified as undergraduate B.A. students.
   3. Students are advised to check with the Office of Financial Aid (through Student Central on Union) on the effect that the transition to graduate status may have on existing undergraduate funding.
3. In the case that students decide, or are forced by circumstances (see point bullet above) to not continue towards M.A. degree, they should complete INTL-I 400 in order to graduate with a B.A. degree in International Studies. If INTL-I 515, the required Methods course for the graduate degree, was taken prior to the 5th year, it will count as the equivalent of INTL-I 315.  Otherwise, INTL-I 315 may also need to be completed.
4. Students in the B.A./M.A. program must complete at least 15 hours of coursework while registered in graduate status. Normally, this would encompass no fewer than two semesters.
5. Students who successfully complete all requirements for the Integrated B.A./M.A. in International Studies will have the B.A. and M.A. degrees awarded simultaneously.