Combined Bachelor's/ Master's Degree Programs

Combined Bachelor's/Master's Degree Program 

Salve Regina University provides the opportunity for undergraduate students to begin a master’s degree program in their final undergraduate academic year providing that they meet certain criteria.

Who can apply for a combined bachelor’s/master’s degree program

Incoming first-year students may apply to the five-year or accelerated pathway for a number of programs. Students should select their desired combined program on the Common Application for admission to their undergraduate degree and conditional admission for their graduate degree. Students who have not already been conditionally admitted into a combined bachelor’s/master’s degree program as a first-year student may apply as a third-year junior for conditional acceptance. Students are expected to maintain a 3.30 GPA to begin this sequence in their final undergraduate academic year.

Admissions Criteria

Salve Regina University evaluates the total application package. An applicant to the combined bachelor’s/master’s program must:

1. Must have current junior standing with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.30.
2. Complete an online application.
3. Provide a personal statement that includes the following:
   1. Academic background, interests, accomplishments, and career goals as they relate to the program.
   2. Address why Salve is a good fit.
4. Current résumé.
5. Some programs may require an interview.

There are two options available for students wishing to start on their graduate degree in their final undergraduate academic year: a five-year pathway which allows for completion of the degree in one year after completing their undergraduate degree, and an accelerated pathway which provides the ability for students to begin their graduate program in their final undergraduate academic year but complete their graduate program at their own pace. More information about these programs including a full listing can be found at salve.edu/graduate-and-professional-studies/combined-bachelors-masters-programs.  

Five-year Pathway 

Designed for undergraduates to begin their graduate program while in their final undergraduate academic year and complete their master’s studies in one year post-graduation from their undergraduate program. The five-year pathway has a flat rate of tuition for the fifth year and students retain many of the services that they had as undergraduate students. Students in the five-year pathway require 126 credit hours to complete their undergraduate degree and must take four graduate courses in their senior (fourth) year. Of the four graduate courses, only two can count towards undergraduate credit requirements. Students in the five-year pathway will matriculate into the five-year program for the specified master’s program upon graduation from their undergraduate program. Five-year students MUST take four courses in the fall and four courses in the spring semesters of their fifth year to remain as five-year pathway students. If students opt to no longer follow the five-year pathway course plan, they will revert to traditional graduate students for the remainder of their enrollment. Only the following programs are designed to support the five-year pathway: 

• MBA  
• M.S. in criminal justice and cybersecurity  
• M.S. in healthcare administration 

These programs may also be taken in the accelerated pathway but there will be no continuation of undergraduate services and the students will be billed at the traditional graduate credit hour rate upon matriculation into the graduate program. Five-year students may also opt to transition into the accelerated program if they cannot complete four graduate courses in their final undergraduate academic year.

Accelerated Pathway

Designed for undergraduates to begin their graduate program while in their final undergraduate academic year. The accelerated pathway requires students to take 2, 3, or 4 graduate courses in their final undergraduate academic year. Students in the accelerated pathway will matriculate into the traditional graduate program upon graduation from the undergraduate program and will pay the graduate tuition rate for their specified degree. The following programs may be taken under the accelerated pathway model:  

• M.S. in behavioral analysis  
• M.A. in clinical counseling
• MFA in creative writing
• MBA  
• M.S. in criminal justice and cybersecurity 
• M.S. in healthcare administration
• M.A. in international relations

Once conditionally admitted, students will be advised on the courses to take in their final undergraduate academic year by their undergraduate faculty advisor and appropriate graduate program director. Conditionally admitted students must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.3 and earn a grade of B- or better in their graduate coursework to be eligible to matriculate into the graduate program after completion of the undergraduate degree. Students must take the number of courses required for the specified program (four courses in their final undergraduate academic year) for five-year pathway programs, and (2-4 courses in their final undergraduate academic year) for accelerated pathway programs.  

Course Plans

Behavior Analysis (M.S.)

Graduate Courses for Seniors Pursuing the Master of Science in Behavior Analysis

Plan of Study Grid

Fall		Credits
PSY-520	Concepts and Principles	3
PSY-523	Autism Spectrum and Other Developmental Disabilities	3
	Credits	6
Spring
PSY-511	Radical Behaviorism	3
	Credits	3
	Total Credits	9

*If substitutions are needed, please contact your advisor.

Clinical Counseling (M.A.)

Graduate Courses for Seniors Pursuing the MA in Clinical Counseling

Plan of Study Grid

Fall		Credits
COU-500	Professional Orientation and Ethics *	3
COU-501	Human Growth and Development	3
	Credits	6
Spring
The following courses are recommended for Spring if students have completed 120 credits including two graduate courses:
COU-502	Cultural Equity in Counseling	3
COU-503	Theories of Counseling	3
	Credits	6
	Total Credits	12

*It is important for students to take COU-500 first in their sequence. Courses are offered both in the fall and the spring. If substitutions need to be made, students must reach out to their advisors.

Criminal Justice and Cybersecurity (M.S.)

Graduate Courses for Seniors Pursuing the M.S. in Criminal Justice and Cybersecurity

Plan of Study Grid

Fall		Credits
CJC-520	Effective Communication and Perspective Taking	3
CJC-563	Criminal Justice Research Methods	3
	Credits	6
Spring
CJC-532	Cyberterrorism	3
CJC-576	High Technology Crime	3
	Credits	6
	Total Credits	12

Criminal Justice and Cybersecurity (M.S.) with Concentration in Cyberthreat Management and Response

Graduate Courses for Seniors Pursuing the M.S. in Criminal Justice and Cybersecurity Concentration in Cyberthreat Management and Response

Plan of Study Grid

Fall		Credits
CJC-534	Cyber Fundamentals	3
CJC-576	High Technology Crime	3
	Credits	6
Spring
CJC-532	Cyberterrorism	3
CJC-543	Cyber Intelligence	3
	Credits	6
	Total Credits	12

Criminal Justice and Cybersecurity (M.S.) with Concentration in Intelligence

Graduate Courses for Seniors Pursuing the M.S. in Criminal Justice and Cybersecurity Concentration in Intelligence

Plan of Study Grid

Fall		Credits
CJC-514	Psychological Concepts for Justice Professionals	3
CJC-532	Cyberterrorism	3
	Credits	6
Spring
CJC-520	Effective Communication and Perspective Taking	3
CJC-563	Criminal Justice Research Methods	3
	Credits	6
	Total Credits	12

Criminal Justice and Cybersecurity (M.S.) with Concentration in Leadership

Graduate Courses for Seniors Pursuing the M.S. in Criminal Justice and Cybersecurity Concentration in Leadership

Plan of Study Grid

Fall		Credits
CJC-506	Theories of Justice	3
CJC-520	Effective Communication and Perspective Taking	3
	Credits	6
Spring
CJC-518	Domestic & Global Challenges Shaping Public Policy	3
CJC-524	Emergency Management & Critical Incident Response	3
	Credits	6
	Total Credits	12

Master of Business Administration (MBA)

Graduate Courses for Seniors Pursuing the Master of Business Administration**

Plan of Study Grid

Fall		Credits
MGT-503	Business Law	3
MGT-542	Business Ethics & Sustainable Management	3
	Credits	6
Spring
The following courses are recommended for Spring if students have completed 120 credits including two graduate courses:
MGT-507	Organizational Behavior & Leading People	3
MGT-510	Managing Business Operations	3
	Credits	6
	Total Credits	12

*If substitutions are needed, please contact your advisor.

** This proposed schedule is suited best for business majors/minors. Other program majors must contact the advisor to work out a plan.

Healthcare Administration (M.S.)

Graduate Courses for Seniors Pursuing the M.S. in Health Care Administration Combined Programs

Plan of Study Grid

Fall		Credits
HCA-533	Health Law	3
HCA-525	Ethics for Health Professionals	3
	Credits	6
Spring
HCA-519	Healthcare Finance	3
HCA-528	Health Policy	3
	Credits	6
	Total Credits	12

International Relations (M.A.)

Graduate Courses for Seniors Pursuing the MA in International Relations

Plan of Study Grid

Fall		Credits
INR-516	Identity, Harmony, and Conflict	3
INR-531	Just and Unjust Wars	3
	Credits	6
Spring
INR-508	Writing Strategies for Academic Success	3
INR-562	International Organizations and Law	3
	Credits	6
	Total Credits	12

*If substitutions are needed, please contact your advisor.

Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.) in Creative Writing

Graduate Courses for Seniors Pursuing the Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing

Plan of Study Grid

Winter		Credits
ENG-600	Residency in Creative Writing I	6
	Credits	6
Spring
ENG-601	Residency in Creative Writing II	6
	Credits	6
	Total Credits	12