The Bachelor’s–Accelerated Master’s (BAM) degree program options offer currently enrolled CU Boulder undergraduate students the opportunity to receive a bachelor’s and master’s degree in a shorter period of time. Applications to the BAM track must be made during the semester you register for senior projects (typically spring of junior year) and may only be made during the BAM Application window (April 30 - June 30). Any applications submitted before or after this time will not be considered.
You will receive the bachelor’s degree first, but begin taking graduate coursework as undergraduates (typically in your senior year). Because some courses are allowed to double count for both the bachelor’s and the master’s degrees, you will earn a master’s degree in less time and at a lower cost than a stand-alone master’s degree program. In addition, staying at CU Boulder to pursue a bachelor’s–accelerated master’s program will allow you to continue working with your established faculty mentors.
Admissions Requirements
In order to gain admission to the BAM programs named above, you must meet the following criteria:
Program Requirements
You may take up to and including 12 hours while in the undergraduate program which can later be used toward the master’s degree. However, only 6 credits may be double counted toward the bachelor’s degree and the master’s degree. You must apply to graduate with the bachelor’s degree, and apply to continue with the master’s degree, early in the semester in which the undergraduate requirements will be completed.
NOTE: Students who applied prior to July 2019 follow the old concurrent Bachelor’s/Master’s structure (see information below), and the two degrees are awarded simultaneously when requirements for both degrees are met.
Applying to the BAM Program
- April 30: Application opens
- June 30: Application closes
- Students must apply in the semester they are enrolling in ASEN 4018 – Senior Projects 1: Design Synthesis (typically spring of Junior year). For enrollment prerequisites, refer to the catalog pages.
Note: The BAM application has a section to upload supporting documents. Smead Aerospace does NOT require supporting documents for BAM applicants.
All admissions notifications will be sent by July 31.
Choose between two options:
- Aerospace Engineering Sciences (Traditional MS Track)
- Aerospace Engineering Sciences Professional (Professional MS Track)
In preparation to apply, please visit these resources:
- Aerospace Engineering Sciences Graduate Student Handbook for degree and focus area requirements, course lists, and curricula
- The Graduate School’s pages contain important information for prospective and current graduate students
- The Graduate School Rules provide detailed information on credit enrollment limits, academic probation, credit transfer rules, and other subjects
Eligible students may apply for the BAM program by completing the BAM Intent Form. Visit the Registrar's Office BAM page for more information.
Resources for students currently admitted to BAM
- Complete your MS continuation form and your BAM supplement form.
- Choose “Changing from Undergraduate to Graduate Status”
- Select point 2, “Submit a master’s continuation form” for the MS continuation form
- Select point 3, “Submit a BAM supplement form” to choose the courses to double-count and to use towards the MS
- Aerospace Engineering Sciences Graduate Student Handbook: we expect all BAM and graduate students to be fully familiarized will the content of the handbook and their degree and focus area requirements
- Smead Aerospace Engineering Focus Areas and Graduate Students Pages
- The Graduate School Rules provide detailed information on credit enrollment limits, academic probation, credit transfer rules, and other subjects
- To change your graduation term, change MS entry term, or to discontinue the progression to the MS go to this page on the Registrar's website.
- Choose “Updating Your BAM Program Status”
- Complete the “BAM program change/discontinuation form”