Joint Degree and Bachelor-Master Programs

Joint Degree Programs

3 + 3 Program with Albany Law School of Union University *

3–2 Engineering Programs *

In these programs, students complete three years at the University at Albany and then transfer to one of the participating Schools of Engineering. Two years of carefully planned study complete the requirements for the bachelor’s program at Albany in physics and the B.S. degree with a major in engineering at the engineering school. Students must apply to the engineering school after their fifth semester of study at Albany. Participating Schools of Engineering are Binghamton University, SUNY New Paltz, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and Clarkson University. Further information may be obtained by contacting the Advisement Services Center, LI-36, (518) 442-3960.

Early Assurance of Admission to Albany Medical College

The Early Assurance Program is a cooperative program developed between the University at Albany and the Albany Medical College. This program provides an opportunity to submit an early application for admission to Albany Medical College. Applicants must have completed three semesters of course work at the University at Albany; receive the Pre-Health Committee Evaluation and approval during the spring semester of the sophomore year; and complete a full two years of undergraduate study in order to apply to Albany Medical College at the end of the sophomore year. Students in this program must maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.5 and achieve grades no lower than a B in each prerequisite science course.

Students selected for admission will matriculate at Albany Medical College after completion of their undergraduate degree and four years of study at the University at Albany. Students pursuing this program should contact the Pre-Health Advisor during their freshman year. For details regarding criteria for admission and program requirements, contact the Advisement Services Center, LI-36, (518) 442-3960.

Joint Seven-Year Biology/Optometry Program *

The Joint Biology/Optometry Program is a cooperative program developed between the University at Albany and SUNY State College of Optometry. In this program, students complete three years at the University at Albany and then attend the SUNY State College of Optometry for four years. Credits from the first year at SUNY State College of Optometry will transfer back to the University at Albany for completion of the B.S. degree in Biology. After completion of the fourth year at SUNY State College of Optometry, students may earn the O.D. degree in Optometry. Students apply for this program in the spring semester of their freshman year. Any students pursuing this program should see the Pre-Health Advisor during their freshman year. Further information may be obtained by contacting the Advisement Services Center, LI-36, (518) 442-3960

Joint Seven-Year Biology/Dental Program *

The Joint Biology/Dental Program is a cooperative program developed between the University at Albany and Boston University Goldman School of Dental Medicine. In this program, students complete three years at the University at Albany and then attend Boston University Goldman School of Dental Medicine for four years. Credits from the first year at Boston University Goldman School of Dental Medicine will transfer back to the University at Albany for completion of the B.S. degree in Biology. After completion of the fourth year at Boston University Goldman School of Dental Medicine, students may earn the D.M.D. Students apply for this program in the spring of the sophomore year. Any students pursuing this program should contact the Pre- Health Advisor during the freshman year. Further information may be obtained by contacting the Advisement Services Center, LI-36, (518) 442-3960.

Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy Programs/Collaborative Agreement between University at Albany and Sage Graduate School 

This Collaborative Agreement allows University at Albany graduates to transition into health professions programs at Sage Graduate School.  This Collaborative Agreement provides for:

• Automatic acceptance into the Occupational Therapy Master’s and the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree programs at the Sage Graduate School for students who have a) completed a Sage application and program-specific prerequisite courses, b) completed an acceptable series of courses at University at Albany leading to a baccalaureate degree, and c) obtained a satisfactory recommendation from University at Albany faculty;
• Waiver of the Sage Graduate School  application fee; 
• Early acceptance;   
• Opportunity to cross-register through the Consortium in courses during the senior year (no fees in addition to University at Albany registration); 
• Access to Sage advisers to coordinate undergraduate electives and coursework to satisfy prerequisites for the graduate program (contact appropriate individuals as indicated below); 
• Opportunity to apply early for Graduate Assistantships at Sage Graduate School.

* NOTE: For the joint degree programs marked with an asterisk (*) the following policies apply:

1. Only students with an admissions status of “FRESHMAN” (not transfer students) are eligible to participate. Students following joint degree programs shall be held to the same requirements that apply to students completing their entire degree on campus. This means that students need to complete 30 of their last 69 credits on this campus (residency requirement).

2. All Albany requirements need to be completed by the time the bachelor’s degree will be awarded. Therefore, students pursuing these degree programs can continue to take courses, on campus or off, that apply to the requirements they need to complete at Albany (in compliance with residency and transfer limit policies). For example, in the summers following the student’s third and fourth years, the student can return to Albany to take additional coursework. Additionally, requirements at Albany might be satisfied by particular coursework at the partnering institution.

Combined Bachelor’s/Master’s Degree Programs

Combined Bachelor’s/Master’s Degree Programs: Undergraduate students of recognized academic ability and educational maturity have the opportunity of fulfilling integrated requirements of bachelor’s and master’s degree programs within a rationally designed and effective framework at the beginning of their junior year. Combined programs require a minimum of 138 credits and up to 12 graduate credits may be applied simultaneously to the requirements for the baccalaureate.

Students may be admitted to these combined programs at the beginning of their junior year, or after the successful completion of 56 credits. A grade point average of 3.20 or higher and three supportive letters of recommendation from faculty are required.

As noted above, “Students are considered undergraduates until they have accumulated 120 credits, satisfied all degree requirements and been awarded the baccalaureate degree."

However, although students who have failed to satisfy “all degree requirements” will not be granted the baccalaureate degree until all undergraduate requirements are met, please be aware that for determining such matters as whether students pay undergraduate or graduate tuition, the following policy applies:

"Although admitted to an integrated degree program, students will be considered as undergraduate students for purposes of tuition, financial aid, and headcount identification until completion of 12 credits of graduate work or until qualified to receive the bachelor's degree. In the semester in which a student enrolls in the 13th credit of graduate course work, he or she will be considered a graduate student for purposes of tuition, headcount identification, and eligibility for graduate assistantships, fellowships, and loans whether or not the student has completed the bachelor's degree.

"Students' progress through the combined program will be reviewed in the Office of the Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education to ensure timely completion of the undergraduate degree. Academic advisors of bachelor's-master's programs and students themselves should also attend to course enrollment choices that lead to timely completion of undergraduate requirements." (Accepted by University Senate, March 9, 2009)

Students interested in further information regarding the combined programs should contact the appropriate program’s department chair or the Office of the Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education, LC 30 (518-442-3950).

College of Arts and Sciences: Africana Studies (General Program: B.A.), Anthropology (General Program: B.A.), Art (General and Departmental Programs: B.A.), Biology (General Program: B.A. degree only), Economics (General Program: B.A. degree only), English (General Program: B.A.), Geography (General Program: B.A.), Greek and Roman Civilization (General Program: B.A.), History (General Program: B.A.), Linguistics (General Program: B.A.), Mathematics (General Program: B.A.), Music (General and Departmental Programs: B.A.), Philosophy (General Program: B.A.), Psychology (General Program: B.A.), Rhetoric and Communication (General Program: B.A.), Sociology (General Program: B.A.), Theatre (General Program: B.A.)

School of Criminal Justice: Criminal Justice (General Program: B.A.)

Nelson A. Rockefeller College: Political Science (General Program: B.A.)

Students interested in this option are encouraged to contact the School of Business, BA-361, 442-4984 during their sophomore year.

Combined Bachelor’s/Master’s in Health Policy & Management
Economics/Health Policy & Management (General Program: B.A./M.S.), Economics/Health Policy & Management (General Program: B.S./M.S.), Psychology/Health Policy & Management (General Program: B.A./M.S.), Sociology/Health Policy & Management (General Program: B.A./M.S.)

Combined Bachelor’s in Political Science/Master’s in Public Administration and Policy
Department of Public Administration and Policy: Political Science /Public Administration (General Program: B.A./M.P.A.)

Combined Bachelor’s/Master’s in Public Administration and Policy
Department of Public Administration and Policy: Public Policy/Public Administration (General Program: B.A./M.P.A.)