4+1 BS/MS Degree Program

Computer science majors can take advantage of the 4+1 BS/MS combined degree program. Graduates in the program experience a streamlined approach towards a masters degree in computer science while completing their bachelor degree credits. 

Criteria

Computer science majors need to meet the following for admittance.

How this works

The requirements for both degrees are not altered, except that nine credits of approved graduate level courses can be used as free electives for the BS program and also for the MS program, provided the student earns both degrees within five calendar years, beginning with the student's first term as a degree-seeking student at Purdue, regardless of major, campus, or discontinuities in registration. 

Graduate-level undergraduate excess credits can be used in combination with up to nine shared credits for the combined degree but the sum of the dual-counted and graduate-level undergraduate excess credits may not exceed 12 credits. All other graduate courses to be used for the MS must be taken after the award of the BS.

The student's primary degree objective will remain the BS until the BS is awarded. The MS will be the student's secondary degree objective from the time the student is accepted as an MS student by the Graduate School until the award of the BS. During this period commonly referred to as the combined year, the student must take at least one three-credit graduate course each semester.

Application Windows

Admission Requirements

Students who apply should have a GPA of at least 3.5 in CS coursework and a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0. A student should apply for the BS/MS program in their 5th or 6th undergraduate semester (approximately Junior year). The student's application to the BS/MS program will then be reviewed after the student's plan of study shows the completion of at least 100 of the 120 credits required for the BS. 

Admission Process

1. Complete a term-by-term plan of study to include all remaining courses for both BS and MS 
   degrees. Your Undergraduate Advisor must review and approve the remaining BS degree requirements.
2. Send the plan of study approved by your undergrad advisor to csgrad@purdue.edu for MS Graduate Program Coordinator/Advisor approval. 
3. Complete and sign a Graduate School Form 27 (Combined-Degree Program Request)
4. After 1-3 are completed, submit the electronic graduate application.
   • Upload the fully approved BS/MS plan of study with your graduate application.
   • The application system requires you to list three recommenders in order to submit the application. For the BS/MS Degree Program, only a brief recommendation from your Undergraduate Advisor or CS faculty member is required. Responses are not needed from the other two listed recommenders. 
   • You are not required to submit GRE scores or a Diversity Essay. 
   • The Statement of Purpose should be a brief overview of why you feel you will be successful in the program. 
5. When you have completed the above, send an email to csgradinfo@purdue.edu with a statement indicating your application has been submitted. Attach your approved plan of study and Form 27. 

Program Policies

After admission to the program, the student will have an advisor for each degree. During the combined year, it is expected that students follow the term-by-term plan of study submitted with the application. Changes can be made in the plan but must be approved by the student's undergraduate advisor and the chair of the Graduate Committee. Students who do not follow the plan may continue in the BS program only.

After the BS degree is conferred, the MS will become the student's primary degree objective. The MS portion of the term-by-term plan submitted with the application will then be used by the student to create the formal electronic MS plan of study required by the Graduate School. Follow the link below for instructions on how and when to file a plan of study. Students are encouraged to pay close attention to deadlines to avoid late fees.

Instructions for Filing a Plan of Study for the MS Degree

Students who withdraw from the BS/MS program may continue as BS students but will not be able to count any courses toward both degrees if they later apply for the MS and are admitted.

For questions about the BS/MS program, contact csgradinfo@purdue.edu.

Graduate Course Catalog