BA/MA programs
BA/MA program options in the Humanities
Current University of Chicago undergraduate students have the opportunity to add a Master of Arts degree in the Division of the Humanities to their current course of study through one of the College's joint BA/MA offerings. BA/MA students complete two degrees in four or five years, and up to 300 units of credit may count towards both degrees. Students are eligible to apply college aid towards MA tuition in their fourth year.
Program Options
BA/MAPH - Master of Arts Program in the Humanities
Enables students to do one year of rigorous research in a field of their choice or to pursue interdisciplinary work. Students can also pursue two years of in-depth language study. The main contact for MAPH is Associate Director of MAPH Maren Robinson (marenr@uchicago.edu).
Enables students to do one year of rigorous research in a field of their choice or to pursue interdisciplinary work. Students can also pursue two years of in-depth language study. The main contact for MAPH is Associate Director of MAPH Maren Robinson (marenr@uchicago.edu).
BA/MA Program in Middle Eastern Studies
Designed for students who wish to obtain a broad knowledge of the Middle East through two years of language and area studies. The main contact for the MA Program in Middle Eastern Studies is Director of the MA program Dr. Paul Walker (pwalker@uchicago.edu).
Designed for students who wish to obtain a broad knowledge of the Middle East through two years of language and area studies. The main contact for the MA Program in Middle Eastern Studies is Director of the MA program Dr. Paul Walker (pwalker@uchicago.edu).
Combines technical and humanistic courses. Students explore areas such as textual analysis, computational linguistics, historical or cultural studies, and digital arts and media. The main contact for the MA Program in Digital Studies is Director David Schloen (d-schloen@uchicago.edu).
Student Experience
Elle Nurmi (BA/MAPH class of ’13) – “MAPH was an excellent choice for me-- I felt prepared to handle the rigors of the coursework and the MA thesis thanks to my three years of undergraduate study, and, moreover, I was ready to take on new challenges in my last year at the University.” Elle works at Lola Travel, where she’s responsible for what she knows (and loves) best – playing with data, creating strategies for measuring success, and building new tools.
Sample Timeline
Year 1 | Begin coursework at the College.
Year 2 | Speak with your adviser in Spring Quarter to discuss your progress regarding general education and major requirements and options for BA/MA study. If an MA program is aligned with your goals, speak to the MA program staff to learn more.
Year 3 | Apply online to the MA program during Autumn Quarter: https://apply-humanities.uchicago.edu/apply/. BA/MA students may apply for free and do not need to submit GRE scores to apply. If your major requires a thesis, talk to your department and your College Adviser about whether completing it in your third year is feasible.
Year 4 | Begin taking graduate coursework. Finish your undergraduate BA, if applicable. Your adviser will be the point person for course mapping. If you are in the four year BA/MAPH, graduate with your BA and MA degree at the end of year four.
Year 5 (If applicable) | Complete your graduate coursework in the two year MA program. Graduate with your master’s degree.
Year 2 | Speak with your adviser in Spring Quarter to discuss your progress regarding general education and major requirements and options for BA/MA study. If an MA program is aligned with your goals, speak to the MA program staff to learn more.
Year 3 | Apply online to the MA program during Autumn Quarter: https://apply-humanities.uchicago.edu/apply/. BA/MA students may apply for free and do not need to submit GRE scores to apply. If your major requires a thesis, talk to your department and your College Adviser about whether completing it in your third year is feasible.
Year 4 | Begin taking graduate coursework. Finish your undergraduate BA, if applicable. Your adviser will be the point person for course mapping. If you are in the four year BA/MAPH, graduate with your BA and MA degree at the end of year four.
Year 5 (If applicable) | Complete your graduate coursework in the two year MA program. Graduate with your master’s degree.
Application Deadline
In order to notify individuals of their admissions decision before the end of Winter Quarter, BA/MA applications are due by February 3, 2025.
No applications for BA/MA will be accepted after August 31, 2025.