Earn your joint BS and MS in Statistics

Iowa U2G—undergrad to grad in five years

The joint Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Statistics is for eligible students who seek to complete both the BS degree and the MS degree at the University of Iowa in five years. Students in the U2G program must complete all requirements for each degree. A traditional MS in statistics requires completion of 32 semester hours of graduate-level course work. The BS/MS program permits students to count 12 semester hours of credit (four 3-hour courses) toward the requirements for both degrees during their fourth year. To complete the MS, an additional 20 semester hours of course work is required.

If a student withdraws from the U2G program before completing their bachelor's degree, credit earned in the four planned cross-credited courses is counted only toward the undergraduate degree.

Undergraduate students typically apply to the U2G program in the spring of their third year. Once admitted, they begin the U2G program in fall of their fourth year, when they are enrolled as both an undergraduate and a graduate student. Students are granted the BS when they complete all requirements for the undergraduate degree. Their straight graduate session begins in the fall of their fifth year. They are expected to earn their BS in the spring of their fourth year and their MS in the spring of their fifth year.

BS coursework MS coursework

Model BS/MS student schedule flowcharts

Application process

Students interested in the program must submit the BS/MS dual degree program application to the Department of Statistics and Actuarial Science. Application to the department should be submitted during the spring semester of the third year by April 15.

Each applicant must:

  • Submit the BS/MS U2G program application to the department
  • After being recommended by the department (via the above application) complete the University of Iowa Graduate College application:
    • Submit a statement of purpose including professional goals
    • Note: GRE is not required

Who can apply?

In order to be eligible for admission, candidates

  • Must already be enrolled as a statistics major at the University of Iowa
  • Must be classified as a third-year student by the student's primary undergraduate college
  • Must have a cumulative University of Iowa GPA of at least 3.25
  • Must have discussed the program with the undergraduate advisor for statistics majors and have the advisor's support for being admitted to the program

Tuition

Students enrolled in the joint degree program will pay undergraduate tuition and fees through their fourth year. Starting with their fifth year, students will be assessed tuition and fees at the graduate rate and thereafter.

Please note: If award of the bachelor’s degree is delayed beyond the first two semesters of the program, students will continue to pay graduate tuition. However, students in the combined program will be eligible to hold graduate assistantships starting their fifth year. Any student holding an assistantship of 25% or grader will be eligible for a full tuition waiver and other benefits as mandated by the graduate student collective bargaining agreement.

Questions?

For more information please email your questions and concerns to statistics@uiowa.edu or see Olivia Tobin in 241 Schaeffer Hall (SH).