Philosophy Contiguous Bachelor's/Master's Pathway

The B.A./M.A. pathway is an option that allows students to complete the requirements for both degrees in five years, rather than the usual six.

Interested students with a GPA of at least 3.5 will be asked to indicate their intention to participate in the program no later than the seventh week of the spring quarter of their junior year (spring quarter advising week). Intentions to participate should be directed to the undergraduate staff adviser. Subject to instructor consent, students may then enroll in two graduate philosophy seminars in their senior year.

Actual admission to this program requires that students apply to the M.A. program through the standard graduate admissions process as specified on the UCSC’s Graduate Division’s website. If a student is then admitted, up to two graduate philosophy seminars taken in their senior year will count as credit toward their graduate degree. Students matriculating through the B.A./M.A. pathway will be required to take the remaining seven courses required for the M.A., as well as to write and defend their M.A. capstone paper, in the fifth year. Those needing additional time may continue in the pathway in accordance with normative time expectations for the stand-alone master’s program.