Blended Programs

Introduction

Blended Programs, also known as 4+1 programs, allow students to move seamlessly between the undergraduate and graduate degree with the goal of earning both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in five years. Please view University Policy Statement (UPS) 410.400 for additional information.

Eligibility

Students are eligible to enter the blended program if they meet the following conditions:

• Completed a minimum of 60 units but not more than 120 units.
• Not currently enrolled in the semester in which they will complete the bachelor’s degree requirements.
• Completed a minimum 12 upper-division units in residence.
• A minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA.

Programs may determine admission requirements that are more stringent than these university standards.

Transfer students and international students are eligible, provided they meet eligibility criteria, including having completed 12 upper-division course units in residence.

Application Process

Students can apply for admission into a blended program during the semester they are completing the eligibility requirements. Students will not be required to apply formally for graduate admission, as they will transition to graduate student status when they complete 120 units. The blended program adviser is responsible for initiating and approving the transition from undergraduate to graduate status. Application deadlines are at the discretion of the department.

Degree Requirements

A minimum of 138 units are required for the blended program, which includes 120 units minimum for the undergraduate degree, 30 units for the graduate degree and 12 units double counted between the two degrees.

Blended students will be required to maintain continuous enrollment as outlined in the graduate policy (UPS 410.106).

Academic Standing

Students placed on Academic Notice while in undergraduate status will be automatically transitioned back into the undergraduate major. The student may later apply to the program’s graduate degree, but double-counting units will no longer be possible.

Students placed on Academic Notice while in graduate status must clear their status through the same policies that apply to graduate students from UPS 410.106.

Students who do not successfully meet the requirements to transition from undergraduate to graduate status will be moved back into the appropriate undergraduate degree major. A student may request a change of major through the normal process if they decide not to continue in the blended program. Students who exit the blended program and return to the undergraduate major may apply for admission to the graduate program, but double-counting units will no longer be possible. 

Time Limit

Students will adhere to the time limit boundaries of the undergraduate degree while in undergraduate status.

Students must complete all graduate study plan courses within five years (10 consecutive semesters), starting with the earliest course on the graduate study plan.

Tuition

A student pays undergraduate tuition when they are in undergraduate status and graduate tuition when they are in graduate status (even if they have not yet graduated with their undergraduate degree). If a student in a blended program opts not to complete the master’s program, there shall be no refund of previous graduate fees paid.

Financial Aid

Students in the blended program will have different funding eligibility when their degree objective is changed to “graduate” because their financial aid will be adjusted to reflect graduate level funding. Students should reach out to the Financial Aid Office with any questions.

Blended Program Advising

Students should direct questions to the specific blended program adviser responsible for overseeing the program.