Bachelor’s–Accelerated Master’s

The Bachelor’s–Accelerated Master’s (BAM) Program offers currently enrolled CU Boulder undergraduate students 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 student and later apply these credits to satisfy master’s degree requirements with the guidance of an assigned faculty advisor. Once students complete their bachelor’s degree, they seamlessly transition into their master’s degree program.

Advantages of the BAM Program

• Complete a Master’s degree program faster
  BAM students can complete up to 12 graduate level credits while in their undergraduate program and later apply these toward master's degree requirements. Of these credits, 6 can be double counted between the bachelor's and master's degrees. Students who take full advantage of the BAM program can typically complete their master's degree within one year after formally entering the graduate program. 
• Pay less overall tuition
  Graduate tuition rates are typically higher than undergraduate rates. BAM offers students the opportunity to complete coursework for the master's degree at undergraduate tuition rates before formally transitioning to the graduate program.
• Continue working with faculty mentors
  Students have the option to continue working with their established faculty mentors from their bachelor’s degree who are already familiar with your goals and interests. These connections can offer you greater support during your academic career and potentially more opportunities.
• Easy application with no fees
  Standalone master’s programs require a more extensive application process including letters of recommendation and fees. The BAM application is an easy, straightforward form and only requires your unofficial transcript and a statement of purpose (see 'Applying to the BAM Program' below for more details).

Our Programs

CEAE offers BAM pathways that allow current undergraduate students in the following bachelor's degree programs to pursue a traditional or professional master's in Civil Engineering or Architectural Engineering depending on their desired graduate major and area of emphasis under that degree. Visit the CEAE Graduate Studies webpage to learn more the subplans and area of emphasis of each of our degrees has to offer.

Admission Requirements

In order to gain admission to the BAM programs named above, you must meet the following criteria upon submitting an application:

• Must be a current CEAE / EVEN undergraduate student
• Have at least junior class standing (based on taking junior-level courses in your program)
• Have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher

Applying to the BAM Program

Eligible students may apply to the BAM program by completing the BAM Intent Form.

The following Supporting Documents must be submitted with your BAM Intent Form (please upload under “Upload supporting documents required by the Department” when completing the BAM Intent Form):​

• A one-page Statement of Purpose describing your academic/career goals and interests in pursuing a BAM program.
• A copy of your current unofficial transcript (available on the Buff Portal)

Deadline to Apply: While we welcome applications year round, we encourage students to apply according to the dates below in their junior year to plan coursework appropriately: ​

• November 1 to be accepted for the following spring semester
• April 1 to be accepted for the following fall semester

Admitted Students - During Undergraduate

Students admitted to the BAM program are assigned a graduate faculty advisor based on the degree and subplan and/or area of emphasis identified in their Statement of Purpose. Students are encouraged to work with their advisors to plan their graduate coursework in accordance with their degree's curriculum requirements. 

BAM students can take up to 12 credits of qualifying graduate level coursework (5000+) while they are in their undergraduate program to apply toward the master's. Of these credits, 6 can double-count between the bachelor's and master's degrees.

The CEAE Graduate Advising Team is also available to provide administrative support to BAM students throughout their program.

Transitioning from the Bachelor’s to the Master’s

In the final semester of their undergraduate program, BAM students must submit the following forms according to the deadlines described below: 

The following forms must be submitted in the final semester of your undergraduate degree according to the deadlines described below:

• The Master’s Continuation Form
  • This form lets the program and Graduate School know that you are graduating from the bachelor’s degree and when you plan to officially start the master’s program. Students must begin their graduate program within three semesters of graduating from their undergraduate program (e.g. If you graduate in the spring semester, you have until the following spring semester to begin the master’s).
• The BAM Supplement Form
  • Students complete this form to indicate how they would like to apply their eligible completed graduate coursework between their bachelor’s and master’s degrees.

Deadlines to complete these forms are as follows:

• February 1 for spring semester graduates
• March 1 for summer semester graduates
• October 1 for fall semester graduates

Questions?

Students are welcome to contact the Graduate Advising Team (ceaegrad.advising@colorado.edu) to learn more about our master’s program and their eligibility for admission to the BAM program.

More information about the BAM program, policies, and forms may be found on the Registrar’s Office website.