Bachelor’s–Accelerated Master’s

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 undergrad 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, they will seamlessly transition into their master’s 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 undergrad and later apply these to master’s degree requirements. Of these credits, (6) can be double-counted between both the BS & MS.
  • 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 undergrad tuition rates before formally transitioning to the master’s program.
  • Continue working with faculty mentors
    Students have the option to continue working with their established faculty mentors from their bachelor’s who are already familiar with your goals and interests. This can result in greater support and potentially more opportunities including research.
  • 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 minimal supplemental documents required. See below for more information on applying.

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: Students are encouraged to apply in their junior year in order to plan coursework appropriately.

  • November 1 to be accepted in the spring semester
  • April 1 to be accepted in the fall semester

If you miss the above deadlines, connect with the Graduate Program Specialist at ceaegrad.advising@colorado.edu to express interest.


Our Programs

Current undergraduate students have the option to apply for the following BAM programs depending on their undergrad major. Each program has subplans and/or areas of emphasis that can be explored here for CVEN/AREN students and here for EVEN students.

Also included below are the tracks available to each degree as of Fall 2024. A student's Graduate Faculty Advisor must agree to supervise an MS Thesis or MS Report before these tracks can be pursued. 

  • Civil Engineering Master's
    • MS: Coursework-Only, MS Report, & MS Thesis
    • Professional MS: Coursework-Only
  • Architectural Engineering Master's
    • MS: MS Report, & MS Thesis
    • Professional MS: Coursework-Only
  • Architectural Engineering Master's
    • MS: MS Report, & MS Thesis
    • Professional MS: Coursework-Only
  • Civil Engineering Master's
    • MS: Coursework-Only, MS Report, & MS Thesis
    • Professional MS: Coursework-Only

EVEN Students interested in the BAM Program may also visit the EVEN BAM Webpage

  • Civil Engineering Master's
    • MS: Coursework-Only, MS Report, & MS Thesis
    • Professional MS: Coursework-Only
  • Environmental Engineering Master's 
    • MS: MS Thesis*
    • Professional MS: Coursework-Only

*Students must have already secured a thesis advisor in order to apply directly to the research-based MS; otherwise, students can apply to the Professional MS and switch if/when a thesis advisor is secured.*

While in the Program

Students may take up to and including (12) credits of qualifying graduate level coursework while in their undergraduate program that can later be applied to the accelerated master’s. Of this pool of credits, (6) can be double-counted toward both the bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Your assigned graduate faculty advisor can help you plan your graduate-level coursework while completing the bachelor’s and master’s degrees. The Graduate Advising Team is also available to offer administrative support throughout your enrollment in the BAM program.

In the final semester of your bachelor’s degree, you will complete paperwork (described below) to continue with your master’s degree.


Transitioning from the Bachelor’s to the Master’s

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


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 indicates to the University that while you are completing your bachelor’s degree, you will remain an active student at the graduate level
  • The BAM Supplement Form
    • Indicates to the Graduate School how you would like to distribute your qualifying graduate level coursework completed during your undergrad between the BS and MS – i.e., what you would like to double-count or otherwise apply completely between the bachelor’s and master’s
      • Reminder: Students can dedicate up to (12) credits of qualifying graduate level coursework completed during their undergraduate to their master’s – of this pool, (6) can be double-counted between both 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.

 

BAM FAQ

Master’s programs are satisfied by completing a total of (30) credits which is broken down depending on your degree track. The tracks available for completing requirements will depend on your graduate program. Each track and its basic requirements are defined below:

  • Coursework-Only: Must complete a total of (30) coursework credits that satisfy all program requirements for your subplan/area of emphasis.
  • MS Report: Must complete a total of (27) coursework credits and (3) MS Report credits. This is a project supervised by your faculty advisor whose final presentation will act as your master’s final exam. The faculty advisor must agree to supervise your MS Report before this track can be pursued. 
  • MS Thesis: Must complete a total of (24) coursework credits and (6) MS Thesis credits. This is a research project supervised by your faculty advisor where the thesis defense acts as your master’s final exam. The faculty advisor must agree to supervise your thesis before this track can be pursued.

The difference between a 'standard' MS and the Professional MS has to do with the tracks available for completing each degree, their curriculum, and any additional requirements set forth by the program. 

Generally speaking, the 'standard' MS is typically research-based where students can pursue an MS Thesis or Report under the supervision of a faculty advisor while the Professional MS is coursework-only. However, the tracks available will depend on the specific program. Visit the webpage for the group you are interested in pursuing to learn more about their unique curriculums, requirements, and tracks. 

The review process varies depending on the degree and area of emphasis you applied to but students can generally expect to hear back within 3-5 weeks. It may take longer to hear back over regular school breaks. The Grad Advising Team will reach out via email to share the admission decision for your application. 

Connect with your Graduate Faculty Advisor to inquire what coursework can be applied to MS requirements and academic planning. Your assigned advisor's information is included in your BAM Admission Letter. 

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 master's program within one year of completing their baccalaureate degree (three semesters, including summer). 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 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 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.