Questions about BAM?

Check out the 2023 Prospective BAM Student Info Session PDF

Fast-track your graduate studies in aerospace engineering while obtaining your degree at a lower cost.

The Bachelor’s–Accelerated Master’s (BAM) Program offers currently enrolled CU Boulder undergraduates the opportunity to receive a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in a shorter period of time. Students who are accepted can complete graduate-level coursework as an undergraduate and later apply these credits to satisfy master’s degree requirements. Once students complete their bachelor’s degree, they will seamlessly transition into their master’s program.

There are two different BAM program options available to aerospace students. You can choose between an MS or Professional MS in Aerospace Engineering Sciences or a Professional ME in Engineering Management. Information on the aerospace BAM program is below. For details on the engineering management BAM program, visit the Lockheed Martin Engineering Management Program website. Note that only one master's degree option can be selected.

Advantages of the BAM Program

  • Complete a Master’s degree program faster
    BAM students may take up to and including (12) credit hours of graduate-level classes while you pursue your bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering sciences which can later be used toward the master’s degree. Of the (12) credit hours, (6) credit hours may be double-counted toward both the bachelor’s degree and the master’s degree.
  • Pay less overall tuition
    Graduate programs are typically more expensive per credit than undergraduate programs. BAM offers students an opportunity to complete graduate level coursework at undergraduate tuition rates before formally transitioning to the graduate program.
  • Continue working with faculty mentors
    Staying at CU Boulder to pursue a bachelor’s–accelerated master’s program will allow you to continue working with your established faculty mentors.
  • Easy application with no fees
    Standalone master’s programs require a more extensive application process including letters of recommendations and fees. The BAM application is an easy, straightforward form with no supplemental documents required. See below for more information on applying.

Admission Requirements

In order to gain admission to the Smead Aerospace BAM program, you must meet the following criteria:

  • Be a current Aerospace Engineering undergraduate student in the spring semester of your Junior year (enrolling in Senor Projects I).
    • Note: if pursuing an additional/double degree, you must apply in the spring before your final year when both degrees will be completed
  • Have a cumulative GPA of 3.50 or higher, including spring semester of your junior year.
  • Have a GPA of 3.50 or higher in ASEN coursework, including spring semester of your junior year.
    • ASEN coursework is any ASEN 2000-level course and above (excluding ASEN 3036 & ASEN 3046)
    • Note: If you took your first ASEN 2000-level course in summer 2020 or earlier, the GPA requirements are a 3.25 for both the cumulative GPA and ASEN 2000-level and higher coursework. Please email the BAM Program Advisor if this is your situation prior to submitting your application.
  • Have no MAPS deficiencies

Applying to the BAM Program

  • Applications are only accepted during the BAM Application window (April 30 - June 30). Any applications submitted before or after this time will not be considered.
    • April 30: Application opens
    • June 30: Application closes
  • Remember, you should only apply in the semester you are enrolling in ASEN 4018 – Senior Projects 1: Design Synthesis (typically spring of Junior year).
    • Note: if pursuing an additional/double degree, you must apply in the spring before your final year when both degrees will be completed

Apply to the BAM Program

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:

In preparation to apply, please visit these resources:

Students indicate on their BAM application the semester they will formally begin the master’s program. You have up to (3) semesters including the summer after completing your bachelor’s to start your master’s. If you experience a change of plans, you must update your starting semester with the Office of the Registrar by completing a BAM Program Change/Discontinuation Form.

The following forms must be submitted in the final semester of your undergraduate degree prior to February 1:

  • Master’s Continuation Form
    • Complete in early January at the beginning of spring semester. This form indicates to the University that while you are completing your bachelor’s degree, you will remain an active student at the graduate level.
  • BAM Program Supplement Form
    • Complete in early January at the beginning of spring semester. This form indicates to the Graduate School how you would like to distribute your qualifying graduate-level coursework completed during your undergraduate career between the BS and MS – i.e., what you would like to double-count and/or have applied to only the master’s degree.
      • Reminder: BAM students may take up to and including (12) credit hours of graduate-level classes while you pursue your bachelor’s degree which can later be used toward the master’s degree. Of the (12) credit hours, (6) credit hours may be double-counted toward both the bachelor’s degree and the master’s degree.

  • 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.
  • AES Graduates website has information and links to Focus Areas, program requirements, forms for graduate students, etc. 
    • Visit the “MS and ProMS Advising” section for general MS/ProMS graduate program information. There is also a “Bachelor’s—Accelerated Master’s Advising” section for specific BAM-related information.
  • 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

The MS degree program allows you to specialize in a particular topic in the aerospace field. Traditional MS students are admitted into a specific focus area and are required to complete a focus area curriculum. In addition to meeting focus area curricular requirements, you will choose one of the options below to meet graduation requirements:

  • MS thesis
  • Graduate Projects I & II
  • Completing a certificate
  • Course-based option (for AUT and FSM only).

Funding is not guaranteed for master’s students. Although in rare cases you can be supported by faculty directly, the department does not guarantee that support.

The Professional MS degree (ProMS) offers a more flexible coursework-only program. As a ProMS student, you do not have to follow a specific focus area curriculum and can customize your degree based on your personal interests; however, 18 credits in ASEN, including a math course from the list of approved math courses is required. Note: ProMS students are ineligible for any university funding (TA/RA/fellowships) but may pursue hourly positions including Teaching Facilitator (TF) positions.

Both the MS and ProMS degrees require 30 total credit hours (10 courses).

Of the 30 total credit hours for both degrees:

  • 24 credit hours, equivalent to 8 courses must be at the 5000 level or above
  • 18 credit hours, equivalent to 6 courses must be ASEN courses (EMEN 5405 counts as ASEN)
  • 3 credit hours, equivalent to 1 course must meet the math requirement (see Appendix B in the Graduate Student Handbook)

All admissions notifications will be sent by July 31.

5000-level ASEN or other engineering, math, science, and/or computer science courses can count. Also, our graduate program allows up to (6) credit hours of select 4000-level courses from departments listed in section 6.1 in the Graduate Student Handbook.

Reminder: BAM students can complete up to (12) graduate-level credits while in their undergraduate career and later apply these to master’s degree requirements. Of these credits, (6) can be double-counted* between both the BS & MS. You will work with your undergraduate academic advisor to verify these courses.

*Double counted courses are courses used to meet any undergraduate career requirements. Undergraduate career is your bachelor’s degree and any minors.

BAM students are subject to the same requirements as normal master's students. MS students have four years from the semester they formally begin their graduate program to complete all degree requirements. Visit this page for more information on the MS Time Limit. 

Students must begin the MS program within one year of completing their bachelor’s degree (three semesters, including summer). For example, if a student finished their BS degree spring 2024, they must begin the MS program in either summer 2024, fall 2024, or spring 2025. The application asks students to indicate their planned starting semester for the MS. If a student decides to change the starting semester they indicated for the MS at any point during their program, they need to complete a BAM Program Change/Discontinuation Form to update the semester accordingly. 

If an undergraduate student decides to change the starting semester they indicated for the MS at any point before they complete their undergraduate degree, they need to complete a BAM Program Change/Discontinuation form to update the semester accordingly. If you are in your final semester and have already submitted a MS Continuation form, you will need to submit a new version with the updated semester as well.

Tuition & Fees

For all tuition and fee-related questions, please visit the Bursar’s Office page.

General

The MS is self-funded, meaning the department is unable to provide centralized, guaranteed support. There are some funding options you can apply to/seek out. Please see the links and information below.

Recommended ASEN Graduate Courses (by Focus Area)

Questions?

You are welcome to contact the Graduate Advisor for the BAM program to learn more about our master’s program and your eligibility for admission to the BAM program.

More information about BAM programs, policies, and forms may be found on the Registrar’s Office website as well as the Graduate School’s website.