Graduate Studies
Integrated Baccalaureate and Master's Degree Programs
2024-2025
Western Illinois University offers integrated baccalaureate and master’s degree programs in:
Bachelor of Business in Accountancy/Master of Accountancy
Applied Statistics and Decision Analytics
Bachelor of Business in Business Analytics/Master of Science in Applied Statistics and Decision Analytics
Bachelor of Business in Accountancy/Master of Business Administration (Brochure)
Bachelor of Business in Economics/Master of Business Administration (Brochure)
Bachelor of Business in Finance/Master of Business Administration (Brochure)
Bachelor of Business in Human Resource Management/Master of Business Administration (Brochure)
Bachelor of Business in Management/Master of Business Administration (Brochure)
Bachelor of Business in Marketing/Master of Business Administration (Brochure)
Bachelor of Business in Supply Chain Management/Master of Business Administration (Brochure)
Bachelor of Science in Agriculture/Master of Business Administration (Brochure)
Bachelor of Science in Computer Science/Master of Business Administration (Brochure)
Bachelor of Science in Health Services Management/Master of Business Administration (Brochure)
Bachelor of Science in Law Enforcement and Justice Administration/Master of Business Administration (Brochure)
Bachelor of Science in Chemistry/Master of Science in Chemistry (Brochure)
Bachelor of Science in Forensic Chemistry/Master of Science in Chemistry (Brochure)
Bachelor of Arts in Communication/Master of Arts in Communication
Bachelor of Science in Computer Science/Master of Science in Computer Science
Bachelor of Arts in General Studies/Master of Science in Education in Educational Studies: Language, Culture & Education Option
Bachelor of Science in Geographic Information Science/Master of Science in GIScience and Geoenvironment (Brochure)
Bachelor of Science in Meteorology/Master of Science in GIScience and Geoenvironment (Brochure)
Bachelor of Arts in History/Master of Arts in History
Instructional Design and Technology (Brochure)
Bachelor of Arts in General Studies/Master of Science in Instructional Design and Technology
Bachelor of Science in Mathematics/Master of Science in Mathematics
Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology/Master of Arts in Museum Studies (Brochure)
Bachelor of Arts in Art/Master of Arts in Museum Studies (Brochure)
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Art/Master of Arts in Museum Studies (Brochure)
Bachelor of Science in Recreation, Park and Tourism Administration/Master of Arts in Museum Studies (Brochure)
*St. Ambrose University Bachelor of Arts in Art History/WIU Master of Arts in Museum Studies
**Wartburg College Bachelor of Arts in History/WIU Master of Arts in Museum Studies
Bachelor of Science in Physics/Master of Science in Physics
Bachelor of Arts in Political Science/Master of Arts in Political Science
Bachelor of Arts in General Studies/Master of Arts in Public Safety Administration
Bachelor of Science in Emergency Management/Master of Arts in Public Safety Administration
Bachelor of Science in Fire Protection Services/Master of Arts in Public Safety Administration
Bachelor of Science in Law Enforcement and Justice Administration/Master of Arts in Public Safety Administration (Brochure)
Quantitative Economics (Brochure)
Bachelor of Arts in Economics/Master of Science in Quantitative Economics
Bachelor of Business in Economics/Master of Science in Quantitative Economics
Recreation, Park and Tourism Administration (Brochure)
Bachelor of Science in Recreation, Park and Tourism Administration/Master of Science in Recreation, Park and Tourism Administration
Bachelor of Arts in Sociology/Master of Arts in Sociology
Bachelor of Arts in Sports Broadcasting/Master of Science in Sport Management
Bachelor of Science in Recreation, Park and Tourism Administration/Master of Science in Sport Management
*Only available to St. Ambrose University current undergraduate students.
**Only available to Wartburg College current undergraduate students.
Integrated Baccalaureate and Master’s Degree Programs
An integrated baccalaureate and master’s degree program provides the opportunity for outstanding undergraduates to earn both degrees in five years. Typically, a baccalaureate degree requires four years to complete and a master’s degree requires an additional two years. However, the integrated degree programs are intended to be accomplished over a period of five years. In addition to earning both degrees a year early, the integrated programs may include additional opportunities to participate in a variety of experiential educational activities such as a master’s project or thesis.
The requirements for the baccalaureate and master’s components of the integrated program will remain the same as the existing baccalaureate and master’s programs. However, some advanced coursework (referred to as bridge courses and will carry a “B” designator following the course number) completed while the student is at the baccalaureate level will also be used to satisfy requirements for the master’s degree.
All policies/regulations related to undergraduate or graduate degree programs apply to the integrated degree programs except as specifically differentiated.
Admission to Integrated Baccalaureate and Master’s Degree Programs
GPA Requirements for WIU Undergraduate Students
Applicants must meet one of the following to be considered for admission into an integrated program:
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Minimum WIU cumulative GPA of 3.25 and a minimum GPA of 3.25 in the major, or
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Minimum WIU cumulative GPA of 3.0 and a minimum GPA of 3.3 in the last 30 s.h. from WIU.
WIU undergraduate students may apply for admission to an integrated baccalaureate and master’s degree program after completing 60 semester hours of undergraduate coursework, of which a minimum of 30 semester hours must be at WIU. Admission must be granted by the School of Graduate Studies before a student will be allowed to enroll in integrated baccalaureate and master’s bridge (“B”) courses. Students may begin taking bridge courses after the completion of 90 semester hours, or when beginning their final two semesters (fall and spring) as demonstrated by a written degree completion plan. Students must submit the undergraduate request to enroll in integrated (“B”) courses found at wiu.edu/grad/bridgecredit.
Second bachelor’s students, if eligible per all admission requirements, may apply to an integrated degree program. The coursework completed in the second bachelor’s degree at WIU will be included when calculating the cumulative undergraduate GPA for admission consideration.
GPA Requirements for Undergraduate Applicants from Other Institutions
Applicants must meet one of the following to be considered for admission into an integrated program:
- Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.25 or,
- Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 and a minimum GPA of 3.3 in the last 30 semester hours.
Undergraduate applicants from other institutions may apply for admission to integrated programs per the agreements with specific programs. Applicants may submit a WIU Graduate School application (wiu.edu/grad) after completion of 60 semester hours at the undergraduate institution. Admission must be granted by the School of Graduate Studies before a student will be allowed to enroll in integrated baccalaureate and master’s bridge (“B”) courses. Students may take up to three bridge courses during their senior year. Students who anticipate using financial aid for these courses should contact the WIU Financial Aid Office (309) 298-2446 prior to registering to confirm eligibility.
Academic Requirements
The work required for the integrated baccalaureate and master’s degree program must be completed within six consecutive calendar years from the time of first enrollment in courses which are part of the integrated program.
Upon completion of all requirements of the baccalaureate degree, such degree will be awarded. Subsequently, after completing the requirements of the master’s degree (including the bridge courses), such degree will be awarded to the student.
All grades of C or lower earned, including those taken for bridge (“B”) credit, count towards the Graduate School’s 6-hour C rule.
Students in this program are not eligible for assistantship positions until the baccalaureate degree has been conferred.
Students in an integrated program who do not complete the required bridge (“B”) courses prior to completion of their baccalaureate degree will be removed from the integrated program and must meet regular admission standards for the graduate program.
Registration for Bridge (“B”) Courses
Admission must be granted by the School of Graduate Studies before a student will be allowed to enroll in graduate level courses. Students may begin taking bridge courses after the completion of 90 semester hours, or when beginning their final two semesters (fall and spring) as demonstrated by a written degree completion plan.
Once students become eligible to enroll in bridge (“B”) courses, they must complete the form Undergraduate Request to Enroll in Integrated Baccalaureate and Master’s Degree Bridge Course (wiu.edu/grad/bridgecredit) in order to receive permission to enroll in those “B” courses.
The “B” designation cannot be used if 400-level courses are taken after the undergraduate degree has been completed, they must have the “G” designator to count for graduate credit.
Tuition Assessment for Integrated Students
WIU students accepted into an integrated bachelor’s/master’s degree program will be assessed undergraduate tuition rates based on current policies while an undergraduate student. After completing the bachelor’s degree, integrated students will be assessed one year at the graduate level of the tuition rate plan in which they were last assessed. After that, students will be assessed at the current rate plan.
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