Five-Year Accelerated Master's Degree

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.

 

Requirements for the 4+1 Program

1. At least 30 units (10 classes) from the available classes in Economics, where up to 2 advanced Economics electives can be “double counted” across the BA and MA degrees. These 10 classes must include:
   1. At least four 500-level economics courses: Econ 5011, Econ 5031, Econ 530A, Econ 5361.
   2. An Econometrics. For most, this is Econ 536. However, other pre-approved options may be considered after consultation with the Economics Department.
2. All courses offered toward the graduate degree must be passed with a grade of B or better.
3. Students must complete a capstone experience consisting of one of the following: a capstone exam; a (3-unit, semester-based) capstone project; or a Master’s thesis.
   1. The capstone exam is a comprehensive examination reflecting the core, required classes in the MA program. The exam will be administered during the final exam period in the semester of graduation. Scheduling details will be provided by a director of the MA program. As with course grades, the exam must be passed with a grade of B or better to count towards the degree.
   2. The capstone project is a directed, independent-study project, supervised by a faculty member. A student may earn three units of elective credit that can be applied to the 30 units required for the MA degree. An application is required, and approval must be granted, in the semester prior to enrollment in the capstone-project course. Interested students should consult with a director of the MA program. Students who do not satisfactorily complete the capstone project must complete the capstone exam. 
   3. Students writing an MA thesis must work with a faculty advisor. Ideally, finding an advisor and beginning research should begin during the senior year of the undergraduate degree. Refer to further details about the Master’s thesis in the Bulletin. Students who do not satisfactorily complete the MA thesis must complete the capstone exam.