About the Program
Washington University allows qualified undergraduates to complete a Master of Arts (MA) degree in a one-year accelerated program after completing the BA degree. The undergraduate and graduate degrees are awarded sequentially, with admission to the master’s degree, if approved, for the fall semester following the completion of the undergraduate degree in the preceding December, May, or August. In economics, in order to participate in the math/statistics “boot camps” that occur in August, undergraduates interested in the MA degree must apply by May 15 of the senior year. GRE tests are not required. The program is available only to students currently in their senior year and only for continuous enrollment in the next year. There is no option for deferred admissions.
Economics requires the completion of at least 30 units for the MA, and the Office of Graduate Studies in Arts & Sciences will permit a maximum of 2 courses at the 400-level or above (with a maximum of 6 units) to be counted toward both the BA and the MA degrees. These 2 courses must be pre-approved by the economics department, and each must be completed with a final grade of B or higher. All admissions to the Accelerated MA program are provisional until the successful completion of the BA degree. The actual awarding of each degree is contingent on successful completion of all requirements for that degree.
Students considering this option should consult with the Academic Coordinator, ideally no later than the beginning of the senior year in the undergraduate program. The application for admission must be made to the department, which forwards the application and the department’s recommendation for admission to the Office of Graduate Studies in Arts & Sciences. Please also refer to the Bulletin.