Joint Degree and Bachelor's-Master's Programs

Joint Degree Programs

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

This program offers a six-year bachelor’s and law degree program. A limited number of freshmen are selected for this program based primarily on high school record and SAT scores. Students who are selected for this program and maintain the required GPA and LSAT standards are guaranteed a seat in the first-year class at Albany Law after completing three years on this campus. The bachelor’s degree is conferred upon successful completion of the first year of study at Albany Law School. Students are admitted to this program either prior to beginning their freshman year or at the end of their freshman year. Further information regarding criteria for admission and program requirements can be obtained from the Pre-Law Advisor, 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 coursework 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 3.50 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 sophomore 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.

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 guaranteed acceptance into the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree program and preferred admission to the Occupational Therapy Master's degree program. Any students pursuing this program should contact the Pre-Health Advisor for additional details. Further information may be obtained by contacting the Advisement Services Center, LI 36, (518) 442-3960.

* 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. For a chart of available Bachelor's/Master's Degree Programs, go to https://www.albany.edu/undergraduate_bulletin/majors.html.

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.

“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, a student will be considered as an undergraduate student for purposes of tuition billing, financial aid, and enrollment identification until qualified to receive the bachelor's degree or until enrolled in the 13^th credit of graduate coursework. Once a student is qualified to receive the bachelor's degree or enrolls in the 13^th credit of graduate coursework, the student will be considered a graduate student for tuition billing, financial aid and enrollment identification, and will be eligible for graduate assistantships, fellowships, and loans.

"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, revised by the Undergraduate Academic Council, November, 2015.)

Students interested in further information regarding the combined programs should contact the appropriate program’s department chair.

Combined Bachelor's/Master's in Information Science

Any undergraduate B.A. Major (except Art History, East Asian Studies, Japanese Studies, Journalism)/Department of Information Studies: Major/Master's of Science in Information Science (General Program: B.A./M.S.I.S.)

Any undergraduate B.S. Major (except Accounting, Bio-instrumentation, Digital Forensics, Informatics)/Department of Information Studies: Major/Master's of Science in Information Science (General Program: B.S./M.S.I.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.)

Combined Bachelor's in Psychology/Master's in Mental Health Counseling

Department of Psychology/Division of Counseling Psychology: Psychology/Mental Health Counseling (General Program: B.A./M.S.)