UChicago Advanced Scholars "4+1" Master's Programs

A master’s degree from the University of Chicago is an incredible opportunity to enhance your future—empowering you professionally, academically, and personally. As a UChicago Advanced Scholar (UAS), you will enhance your skills to complement your bachelor’s degree and in just a year gain advanced skills and expertise that leads to higher salaries and fast-tracked opportunities. The value of a UChicago degree is unmatched in the breadth of opportunities available, where you will gain a deeper understanding of your chosen field and gain expertise that provides real-world returns.

Take your career to the next level with UChicago’s 4+1 graduate programs! These special programs allow you to continue your intellectual journey right here in Hyde Park and graduate with both a bachelor’s and master’s degree, typically within 5 years.

These programs are a great option for students who want to:

  • Boost their earning potential
  • Build specialized skills
  • Enhance their competitiveness in the job market
  • Pivot to a new career field

Eligible Graduate Programs

Students can take advantage of the following 4+1 graduate programs:

Physical Sciences Division

Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering

Social Sciences Division

Humanities Division

The Division of the Humanities Master of Arts Program in Humanities (MAPH) is typically a one-year program, however students can also apply to the MAPH Two-year Language Option (TLO). The MAPH TLO was designed for students who require extensive language skills that exceed the Master of Arts Program in the Humanities' (MAPH) traditional one-year curriculum. This language component is ideal for students who are interested in translation studies, need advanced proficiency for admission to a PhD program, or would like to pursue language study to enhance their academic work. TLO students must begin language study at the intermediate level or higher in at least one language.

TLO students take 9 language courses at the intermediate and advanced levels—in addition to the regular MAPH curriculum of 1 Core course, 7 electives, and 1 thesis—over two academic years. Students also have the opportunity to use the three summers of the program for language study on campus or abroad.

The minimum requirement is a 3.3 GPA for admission into the MAPH TLO program via the 4+1 program. Students should indicate which MAPH Program they’re interested in – the one-year program or the two-year TLO program.

How to Apply

There are two ways students can apply for a 4+1 program.

Second Year and Third Year

At the beginning of their second or third year in the College, students can apply for a special accelerated admission program into one of the eligible master’s programs. Participating students can lock in their spot with their preferred master’s program and receive a $20,000 scholarship for their 5th year and a $5,000 internship stipend.

Students selected through this application pathway will be required to make a one-time deposit of $500 to secure their spot in the program.

Applications may be considered after the deadline if space is available.

Fourth Year

Fourth-years are eligible for all 4+1 programs except the MS in Financial Mathematics program. The MS in Financial Mathematics program is currently only accepting UChicago Advanced Scholars applications from second and third years. Fourth-years who are interested in the MS in Financial Mathematics program should apply directly to the program through its normal application process. 

Graduating students who enroll in a 4+1 program are eligible to receive a $15,000 Rudolph Scholarship during the year after they graduate from the College, along with special career support.

Applications may be considered after the deadline if space is available.

Admissions Criteria for UChicago Advanced Scholars

After being accepted to the UChicago Advanced Scholars Program, students must meet the criteria below to maintain their eligibility for their graduate program.

Master of Engineering

  • Maintain 3.3 GPA in Molecular Engineering or related major during your time in the College
  • Complete the MATH 18300-18400-18500-18600 series (or equivalent) AND one (or both) of the following:
    • Completion of the PHYS 13100-13200-13300 series (or equivalent)
    • Completion of CHEM 11000-11200-11300 series (or equivalent)

MS in Analytics

  • Maintain 3.3 GPA during your time in the College
  • Complete an internship during undergraduate years (highly recommended)
  • Take at least four of the following eight courses maintaining B+ average or higher (equivalent advanced courses would also fulfill the requirement):
Course Number Course Name
CMSC 11800 Introduction to Data Science I
CMSC 12100 Computer Science with Applications I
CMSC 14100 or CMSC 15100 Introduction to Computer Science I
CMSC 14200 or CMSC 15200 Introduction to Computer Science II
CMSC 25300 Mathematical Foundations of Machine Learning
MATH 15200 Calculus II
MATH 19620 Linear Algebra
STAT 22200 Linear Models and Experimental Design
STAT 23400 Statistical Models and Methods

MS in Financial Mathematics

  • Maintain 3.3 GPA during your time in the College
  • Take the following four courses and achieve a 3.5 GPA in them (equivalent courses would also fulfill the requirement):
    • Linear Algebra
    • Multivariable Calculus
    • Probability
    • Python Programming

Masters Program in Computational and Applied Mathematics

  • Maintain 3.3 GPA during your time in the College
  • Take the following courses and achieve a 3.5 GPA in them:
    • Multivariate Calculus (MATH 15300 or MATH 16300 or MATH 18400 or MATH 20500)
    • Linear Algebra (STAT 24300 or MATH 20250)
    • Coursework in elementary probability and/or statistics (STAT 25100 or STAT 24400)
  • Take at least one of the following courses/course sequences and achieve a grade of B+ or above:
    • STAT 24310 Numerical Linear Algebra: An Introduction to Computation
    • CAAM 28000 Optimization
    • CAAM 28200 Dynamical Systems with Applications
    • CAAM 31450 Applied Partial Differential Equations
    • MATH 23500 Markov Chains, Martingales, and Brownian Motion
    • ECON 21030 Econometrics - Honors
    • MATH 20700-20800-20900 Honors Analysis in RN I-II-III

MA Program in the Social Sciences

  • Maintain 3.3 GPA during your time in the College

MA Program in the Social Sciences – Economics Concentration

  • Maintain 3.6 GPA during your time in the College and 3.7 in ECON courses
  • Take the following four courses: 
    • ECON 20000 or ECON 20010
    • ECON 20100 or ECON 20110
    • ECON 20200 or ECON 20210
    • ECON 21020 or ECON 21030

MA in Computational Social Sciences

  • Maintain 3.3 GPA during your time in the College with grades of B- or better in pre-requisite courses. 
  • Take the following pre-requisite courses: 
    • The three-course Perspectives sequence: MACS 30000-30100-30200.
    • At least two from the computer programming sequence: MACS 30111-30112-30113, the more advanced MACS 30121-30122-30123, or equivalent coursework.
    • At least two social science electives.

MA in Computational Social Sciences – Economics Concentration

  • Maintain 3.6 GPA during your time in the College with 3.7 GPA in ECON courses
  • Take the following pre-requisite courses: 
    • ECON 20000/20010, ECON 20100/20110, ECON 20200/20210
    • ECON 21020/21030
    • The two-course MACSS-Econ Perspectives sequence: MACS 30000-30150.
    • At least two from the computer programming sequence: MACS 30111-30112, the more advanced MACS 30121-30122, or equivalent coursework.
    • One additional elective in Economics.

MA Program in Humanities

  • Maintain 3.3 GPA during your time in the College.

MA in Digital Studies of Language, Culture, History

  • Maintain 3.3 GPA during your time in the College.

MA Program in Middle Eastern Studies (Humanities focus for those interested in languages, literature, religion, and material culture)

  • Maintain 3.3 GPA during your time in the College.
  • Recommend Middle Eastern language study during your time in the College.

MA Program in Middle Eastern Studies (Social sciences focus for those interested in people, politics, international relations, and economics)

  • Maintain 3.3 GPA during your time in the College.
  • Recommend Middle Eastern language study during your time in the College.

Course Credit

Please note that Advanced Scholars are not allowed to count their undergraduate coursework towards their master's degree.

Questions?

Check our the Frequently Asked Questions page. Or, to learn more about UChicago Advanced Scholars, contact Ruthie Robinson at rrobinson5@uchicago.edu.