Undergraduate students who see grad school in their future have the unique opportunity to participate in a combined degree program that creates a seamless transition into graduate school. The WRD Department offers two combined degree programs that can help students earn their degrees more quickly and affordably. Some students who have participated in the BA/MA program shared their perspectives on some of the best advantages of a combined degree.
Combined Degree Program Logistics
The WRD Department offers two Combined Degree options: Writing and Rhetoric (BA) + Writing, Rhetoric, and Discourse (MA) and Writing and Rhetoric (BA) + Secondary Education English (MEd). Students with any undergraduate major can pursue the BA/MA program, combining their undergraduate degree with an MA in WRD.
The Combined Degree program allows undergraduate students to take up to three MA courses (12 credit hours) during their senior year. These graduate courses count as open electives toward their undergraduate degrees. When students finish their degrees and become graduate students, the courses count toward their MA degree.
The MA in WRD requires 12 courses, so these three courses count as 25% progress toward the graduate degree. Then, students take nine additional courses to fulfil the degree requirements. The remaining courses qualify for the Double Demon scholarship, which discounts tuition by 25%. Graduate students can also apply for tuition waivers and graduate assistantships.
The specific progression of the program can look different for everyone since students can begin the Combined Degree Program in any quarter. Many students, like Maddy Crozier and Delaney Morrison, begin in Autumn Quarter so they can take WRD 500: Proseminar as their first graduate class. Many other students might begin in Winter or Spring Quarter if they plan to graduate early, like Kate Fabsik.
“It looks different for everyone who does the program. Don’t compare yourself to other people,” said Delaney.
Saving Time, Saving Money
For undergrads who know they want to earn a master’s degree, the Combined Degree Program can help save time and money. DePaul University estimates that students often complete these kinds of programs in about five-and-a-half years as opposed to the traditional six or more years.
“I went into the Combined BA/MA program because I was already here at DePaul, so it was convenient for time and cost. Since WRD was my undergraduate major, I already was interested in it, so I thought I might as well,” said Kate.
Students can also save money through the program, especially since the three graduate classes they take as undergraduates are billed at the undergraduate rate. Then, the remaining graduate classes qualify for the Double Demon discount. These two factors combine to save students about 40% on tuition for the master’s degree, according to the university. WRD students can also apply for financial assistance.
Rigorous Coursework
Through the combined degree program, undergraduate students can challenge themselves intellectually by taking upper-division classes before they graduate. Many students feel that these classes create a new level of academic rigor in their coursework.
“It’s a higher workload, but also a bigger payoff,” said Kate.
As a BA/MA student, Kate took both undergraduate and graduate sections of technical communication classes. Taking similar classes at both levels helped her understand how undergraduate and graduate classes can differ.
“The graduate classes tend to introduce more knowledge of the industry. For technical writing, the undergraduate class provided plenty of examples of what technical writing was. But in the graduate class, I gained more understanding of what being a technical writer actually means and what they do,” explained Kate.
The graduate classes also give students a space to explore topics, questions, and themes in a more in-depth way.
“You’re asked to bring things together that others have not done before,” said Kate. “You question things more. You’re not just questioning what things are, but you’re questioning what they mean to you.”
Career Opportunities
By graduating with two degrees and expanding their knowledge through additional coursework, students can enhance their career opportunities. With thorough educational credentials, students with Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees can stand out in the job market. Particularly for students with both degrees through the WRD Department, a strong foundation in writing studies can help students find careers in higher education, teaching, and research positions, among other possibilities.
“Coming into the program, I didn’t have much of an idea of what I wanted to do. Now, I know that I want to teach. There’s no way I would have landed on teaching without this program,” said Delaney Morrison.
While the MA degree may help with career development after graduation, the coursework itself can help students understand the types of careers they want to seek.
“The graduate classes expanded my idea of what writing I could do for a career,” said Kate. “Now, I can seriously see myself doing different types of jobs.”
Wondering if a Combined Degree program is right for you? Check out these frequently asked questions, make an appointment with your WRD advisor, or reach out to WRD Department Chair Dr. Julie Bokser.