4+1: BSE+Master's Degree Program

Preparing

Students should be in a position where BSE requirements can be completed by taking fewer than 4 courses (typically 2) in the last undergraduate semester. Students meeting this condition may apply for Provisional Admission to the Graduate School to be effective in their last undergraduate semester. Typically this is the spring of the senior year; the graduate admissions deadline for spring admission is currently October 1 of the preceding calendar year.

Completing a Masters degree in in the 4+1 leaves little room for error. It is the student's responsibility to ensure that the courses taken during the second semester senior year both (1) complete the requirements for the BSE degree, and (2) will be credited towards the requirements for the MS degree. Also note that none of the courses can "double count" for both the BSE and MS degrees. Each departmental MS program has specific requirements and lists of permissible (and non-permissible) courses. Please meet with the Director of Graduate Studies in your MS program to look over your academic plan before you register for your last semester of classes.

Senior Year

Upon acceptance by the graduate school, students complete their last undergraduate semester in what amounts to dual status: they are still considered undergraduate students but have provisional graduate admission as mentioned above. A full course load is customarily taken, with the schedule designed so that those courses not needed for completion of the BSE will be applicable to an approved master's course of study (as determined by each Pratt Department). Under ordinary circumstances, the cost to the student for this semester is the usual full-time undergraduate tuition (under whatever financial aid arrangement Duke has offered).

The Next Year

After the final undergraduate, full-time semester the student is granted his/her BSE. Beginning in the subsequent semester (usually either Summer or Fall following the senior year) the student becomes a master's student in the usual sense. During this time, each department's financial aid arrangements for students are consistent with procedures for other master's students until the student finishes program requirements. Nominally, students taking 2 courses while provisionally admitted to the Graduate School/Pratt can complete the master's program with two more semesters of course work, depending on individual departmental requirements.

Thesis Option

The 4+1 MS program is more suited to a non-thesis coursework-only master’s degree. Although both coursework only and thesis options are offered by different Pratt departments, thesis options require "satisfactory completion of the thesis" which typically takes more time than coursework-only options and may not be possible to complete within the single additional year.

Get More Information

Please contact the Director of Graduate Studies (DGS) in the department of interest if you have additional questions. For general questions, please contact our Dean’s Office and one of our Associate Deans would be happy to help you.

Frequently Asked Questions:

How do students apply for the Pratt BSE/MS Degree, 4+1 Program?

Students apply to the program for their specific department through the Graduate School in the fall of their senior year before the standard graduate school application deadline for a January start. They are given provisional graduate student status while still an undergraduate.

What does “provisional status” with the Graduate School mean?
Provisional means that you are admitted even though you do not yet have your undergraduate degree. During your final undergraduate semester you are enrolled in both graduate and undergraduate courses.

Is acceptance into the 4+1 program automatic?
Each department, in collaboration with the Graduate School, controls admission to their masters programs. It is not automatic, but there are no specific requirements other than graduate program admission standards such as grades, GREs, references, etc. and room in your schedule to take courses that are not required for your undergraduate degree. 

See admission statistics for each department at the links below:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Civil and Environmental Engineering
• Electrical and Computer Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science

Do I need to pay graduate and undergraduate tuition during the semester I am enrolled as an undergraduate student and a provisional graduate student?
No, you will only be charged undergraduate tuition & fees (from the Pratt School) and they should be charged nothing from the graduate school.

What full-time courses do I take in this program?
In your final undergraduate semester you take the remainder of your required undergraduate courses (usually 1 or 2) and the other classes you take in that semester then count toward your Masters degree. The following year (or years) are like any other Masters program.

Can I keep my undergraduate housing during the 4+1 Program?
For the final semester of your undergraduate program (i.e., your 8th semester) when you have both undergraduate and provisional graduate student status, you can maintain your undergraduate housing and other undergraduate benefits. During the 5th year when you become a graduate student, you are no longer eligible for undergraduate housing or other undergraduate privileges on campus. 

Can I take courses in the summer between my senior and 5th year for the Masters Degree?
Yes, but options are very limited due to the limited number of graduate courses that are taught in the summer. Courses must fulfill departmental Master Degree requirements.