Combined Degree Programs

SoMAS offers the following combined 5-Year Bachelors and Masters degree program.  Click on the link for the program requirements.

• Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Environmental Studies and Master of Arts (M.A.) in Marine Conservation and Policy

Please visit the Marine Conservation and Policy page for more information about the requirements for the M.A. degree.

Overview

Students will normally be considered for admission into a combined degree program after completing their junior year of undergraduate study-either before the start of their senior year or during their senior year. Students with exceptional records may be admitted during the junior year. Students who transfer to Stony Brook after their junior year must complete one semester at Stony Brook before they will be considered for admission to this combined degree program.

The combined programs are designed for outstanding students in the undergraduate Environmental Studies Degree program. The highly selective admissions requirements for students entering the combined degree program are as follows:

• Recommended overall Stony Brook undergraduate GPA of at least 3.3.
• Recommended minimum GPA of 3.5 in courses required in the major and
• Letters of recommendation from two Stony Brook faculty members.

To apply to the program: 

1. First, meet with the undergraduate academic advisor, Ms. Nancy Black to review your eligibility, and proposed timeline.
2. Next, meet with the Assistant Director of the MCP program, Ms. Kaitlin Giglio to review your proposed timeline for your graduate coursework.
3. Finally, submit a personal statement and two letters of recommendation from SoMAS faculty to Ms. Christina Fink for review and processing by the graduate and undergraduate directors. 

Once the student’s application is approved, it will be sent to the Graduate School. Students accepted into this combined B.A./M.A. program may complete both degrees in approximately five years though the exact timing will depend on the student’s progress. 

After entering the combined degree program, combined degree students will take a mixture of undergraduate and graduate courses (no more than 6 graduate credits). The student must submit the “Permission for Undergraduate Students in an Accelerated or Combined Degree Program to Enroll in Graduate Course” form prior to enrolling in the relevant graduate courses. Once Graduate School approves the forms, they are sent to the Registrar’s office for processing and enrollment in the relevant courses. 

Matriculation into the Graduate Career 

When a combined degree student has completed a minimum of 105 undergraduate credits, has taken the maximum allotted number of graduate credits as an undergraduate student (6), and has less than a full-time (12 credits) undergraduate course load needed to complete their Bachelor’s degree requirements, they should matriculate into their Graduate career. Matriculation requires submission of the “Application to Graduate School for the Accelerated Bachelors/Master’s Degree” form and an admission letter signed by the Graduate Program Director to the Graduate School. Students should consult with both their Undergraduate Program Director and their Graduate Program Director for advising and guidance on matriculation. In anticipation of finishing the undergraduate degree in the spring of their fourth year, students must apply for graduation as noted above, be cleared for their undergraduate degree with no incompletes, and submit the above noted application form to Ms. Christina Fink. 

As part of the Accelerated Program, students can continue working on their Bachelor’s degree requirements for graduation, as a Masters student for the last 12 or less credits that are needed. The Bachelor’s degree will be awarded once all requirements are met. 

As per Graduate School policy, undergraduate courses DO NOT count towards graduate degree requirements. All students must spend at least one year in residency (which is one fall and one spring semester in either order) for the master’s portion of the program.

Students must complete all undergraduate coursework before the beginning of the 5th year, fall semester. After the 8th semester (during the summer), students may begin their capstone/internship research. Students MUST apply to graduate in spring of their final year in their Bachelor’s. The student then must accept the offer of admission to the MA program and become a matriculated graduate student. 

This should all be completed before the start of the summer term of the fourth year. During the fifth year, students complete the remaining graduate requirements and 24 credits for the M.A., potentially needing the following summer to complete the capstone/internship project. 

Other Combined Degree Programs

The College of Business at Stony Brook University offers a Master of Business Administration (MBA) Fast Track Program that qualifying students in ENS, MAR, MVB and SUS can apply for to earn their MBA in their fifth year at Stony Brook.  For program information, requirements and additional information, please visit the College of Business.

* For the most up to date and official degree description and requirements see the undergraduate academic catalog.

IMPORTANT NOTES:

1. This checklist summarizes your major/minor degree requirements. Please consult the Undergraduate Bulletin that was in place when you declared your major/minor for the official list of major/minor requirements. For details, visit the Academic Catalog

2. This checklist indicates ONLY what is required for your major or minor, and does not confirm completion of the University’s general education, upper-division, and total credit requirements. Please consult with the appropriate academic advising unit to review the remaining graduation requirements and to find a general advising locations.