Combined Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree (BAM) Pathways, also known as 4+1 programs, afford a way for highly motivated students to efficiently complete a Bachelor’s degree and Master’s degree in a shorter time frame by double counting course work (3 courses) at the undergraduate tuition rate. In most cases, pathway students graduate with the Bachelor’s degree and Master’s degree in five years.
BAM students enjoy many benefits, including:
- Saving Money – Depending on the program selected, students may be able to complete a Master’s degree in just one additional year of study after receiving a Bachelor’s degree. That’s just five years instead of the traditional six years – which could mean thousands of dollars in savings.
- Saving Time – BAM allows students to double-count three courses (9 credits) toward both their Bachelor’s and Master’s degree.
- Gaining a Competitive Advantage – In an increasingly competitive job market, having a Master’s degree on a resume may help attract the attention of potential employers when job hunting.
The College offers the following BAM pathways for interested students.
- Bachelor’s & Master’s Degrees in Anthropology – With three programs to choose from: BA in Anthropology and MA in Anthropology, Biological Anthropology Track (Plan B); BA in Anthropology and MA in Anthropology, Cultural Anthropology Track (Plan B); and BA in Anthropology and MA in Anthropology, Applied Cultural Anthropology in Hawaiʻi, the Pacific, and Asia.
- Bachelor’s & Master’s Degrees in Communicology – Prepares students for a wide range of careers that involve human communication, and emphasizes social and personal relationships, persuasion, understanding, and different cultural perspectives in communication.
- Bachelor’s & Master’s Degrees in Economics – Oriented toward current and prospective professionals seeking analytical skills in theoretical and quantitative methods.
- Bachelor’s Degree in Ethnic Studies & Master’s of Education Degree in Educational Foundations – For individuals who desire to make a positive impact on education policy, practice and research.
- Bachelor’s Degree in Ethnic Studies & Master’s of Education Degree in Educational Administration – Well suited for those interested in entry and mid-level administrative positions in higher education.
- Bachelor’s & Master’s Degrees in Geography and Environment – For students seeking to deepen their understanding of the theoretical and applied aspects of Geography in one of three interrelated themes of study: environmental, human or geospatial information science.
- Bachelor’s Degree in Global Environmental Science & Master’s of Urban and Regional Planning Degree – Geared toward students seeking to engage with and develop solutions to environmental problems utilizing planning tools, approaches and policies.
- Bachelor’s Degree in Hawaiian Studies & Master’s of Urban and Regional Planning Degree – Offers a cross-disciplinary study of Hawai‘i’s land-use, cultural and water resources planning.
- Bachelor’s Degree in Information and Computer Sciences & Master’s of Library and Information Science – For students interested in building a solid foundation in diverse computer science skills, grounded in the professional skills and reflective, ethical practices of information services in organizations.
- Bachelor’s Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies: Sustainability & Master’s Degree in Geography and Environment – Focusing on the social and environmental implications of sustainability through the lenses of local, regional and global challenges and impacts on humans and the environment.
- Bachelor’s Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies: Sustainability & Master’s Degree in Urban and Regional Planning (Coming Spring 2025) – For students seeking to understand human and natural systems, and integrate scientific knowledge of environmental systems into decision-making and planning to address the impacts of global climate change and urbanization.
- Bachelor’s & Master’s Degrees in Political Science – For students seeking to enhance their skills to think politically about the world and learn how to produce quality scholarship and analysis.
- Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology & Master’s of Education Degree in Educational Psychology – Ideal for students with personal/professional interests in the psychological bases of behavior in general, and specifically in human learning and development in the context of education.
- Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Sociology – For individuals interested in patterns and dynamics of social relations, particularly social justice, with an eye toward understanding social change and engaging in social innovation within and across local and global contexts.