A master’s degree wasn’t in Bree Soma’s original plans at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. Soma, a senior and redshirt softball outfielder, was on track to graduate early with a bachelor’s degree in economics and initially planned to pursue law school. But when her academic advisor told her about the Bachelor’s and Master’s (BAM) degree pathway, the prospect of graduating on time with a bachelor’s and master’s degree felt like a great opportunity, even with the increased workload.
“Iʻve always known what it’s like to be a student-athlete,” said Soma. “Going home and doing homework and balancing that with softball practice and all my other responsibilities.”
BAM pathways are accelerated programs that encourage high-performing UH Mānoa undergraduate students to commit to a master’s program early and take graduate-level classes in their senior year. This gives them a head start on their graduate studies, which reduces the overall amount of time spent on their degrees. In most cases BAM students can graduate with both degrees in five years.
For students who have the drive to attain a bachelor’s and a master’s degree, this is a great opportunity. The College’s current BAM pathways include:
- BA/MA Economics;
- BA Ethnic Studies/MEd in Educational Foundations;
- BA Ethnic Studies/MEd in Educational Administration;
- BS Global Environmental Science/Master of Urban & Regional Planning;
- BA/MA Political Science; and
- BA Psychology/MEd in Educational Psychology.
For Soma, who still plans to attend law school, it’s an unexpected, exciting opportunity. “It’s going to be tough,” she said, “but it’s definitely doable, and I’m excited!”
