4+1 BS/MS Programs

Gleeson Library

The 4+1 program offers students an opportunity to earn both a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree within five years, at a lower cost compared to doing both degrees separately. Students can obtain one of two Master’s degrees:

Students graduate with the BS and officially matriculate into the MS program upon completion of College graduation requirements.

 

Program Learning Outcomes

Both graduate programs provide excellent training in applied economic research and data analysis that can be used in a variety of careers. Graduates of the MS Applied Economics program are particularly well-trained for roles in technology or consulting firms in the private sector or as policy analysts in the public sector. Graduates of the MS International and Development Economics pursue internationally-oriented careers working in public policy, NGOs, or business in developing countries. The BS/MS program also makes excellent preparation for a Ph.D. program in economics or in related fields such as business, public policy, or political science.

 

4 + 1 Program Offerings & Admissions

Economics/Applied Economics (4+1), BS/MS

Economics/International & Development Economics (4+1), BS/MS

Mathematics/Applied Economics (4+1), BS/MS

Physics/Applied Economics (4+1), BS/MS

 

4+1 Program Catalogs

Economics/Applied Economics (4+1), BS/MS (2024-2025)

Economics/International & Development Economics (4+1), BS/MS (2024-2025)

MATHEMATICS/APPLIED ECONOMICS (4+1), BS/MS (2024-2025)

PHYSICS/APPLIED ECONOMICS (2024-2025)

 

Next Steps

  1. ​If you have completed the undergraduate requirements, as indicated on the 4+1 Program Offerings and Admissions webpage, please email econ@usfca.edu (Applied Economics MS) or idec@usfca.edu (International and Development Economics MS). Indicate your interest in joining the 4+1 program and include the following information:
    • USF CWID
    • Program of interest
    • Current academic standing
    • Expected Bachelor's completion date
  2. Connect with the Program Director of your interested program to discuss your academic plans for the program.
    • MS in International and Development Economics:  Professor Elizabeth Katz: egkatz@usfca.edu
    • MS Applied Economics: Professor Andrew Hobbs: ahobbs@usfca.edu
  3. After completing Step 1 and Step 2, you will be asked to submit a Change of Academic Program form. (An official application to the MS program of choice will need to be submitted during your senior year).
  4. In the semester before you want to graduate with your Bachelor's, a graduate program application will be created for you. The application fee and other application requirements such as resume, and letters of recommendation will be waived. Applicants will be accepted as long as they are on track to complete all the undergraduate program requirements listed below.
  5. Students may begin to take graduate-level courses when they achieve junior-level standing at the university.
  6. Students graduate with the BS and officially matriculate into the MS program upon completion of college graduation requirements.
  7. If you are an international student on an F-1 visa, please contact the ISSS to request a new I-20 for your graduate study.

The rules around units enumerated above can be confusing. Here is how the arithmetic works, assuming you want to minimize your graduate tuition costs. While in undergraduate status, you take 44 units for the BS major, and 18 units for the MS.  Since up to 8 of those units can overlap (as long as they are grad-level economics classes), that means you might be able to take as few as 54 economics units (44+18-8=54).  After graduating with your BS, you complete the MS in one year by doing an additional 18 units of coursework (generally 8-12 per semester).

Contact

For general admission inquiries or questions, please email Michelle Huang (yhuang205@usfca.edu), Program Director in Graduate Programs in Economics. 

For questions about the BS/MS Program Curriculum, please contact Academic Program Directors:

  • MS in International and Development Economics:  Professor Elizabeth Katz: egkatz@usfca.edu
  • MS Applied Economics: Professor Andrew Hobbs: ahobbs@usfca.edu

Important note: The precise program requirements are subject to change from year to year. In case of a conflict or confusion, the University Catalog is always the authoritative source. In addition, be careful to refer to the Catalog year in which you entered a specific program. For instance, a student who started at USF in the fall of 2018, transferred to the 4+1 BS program in March of 2020, graduated with the BS in 2020, and entered the MS program in spring of 2021 would refer to the 2019-20 Catalog for 4+1  BS requirements and the 2020-2021 Catalog for MS requirements.

(revised 08/22/2023)