The Master of Arts in International Studies at Chapman University’s Wilkinson College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences offers an integrated program option for undergraduates that enable students to begin taking MA coursework in their senior year and receive a Master of Arts degree within one year of finishing their undergraduate studies. The program is open to all undergraduate majors that have satisfied the prerequisites for the program and meet the admissions requirements.
- Follow
» Integrated BA/MA in International Studies
Academic Requirements
- Must be an undergraduate student with 90+ units of undergraduate coursework completed.
- Have a cumulative GPA of 3.3+.
Admission Requirements
Students apply to the MA during their junior year or first semester senior year. If accepted into the integrated graduate program, undergraduate students may take, and share, up to 15 credits, between the undergraduate and graduate degree. Students in the integrated bachelor’s plus master’s programs will matriculate into the graduate program after the completion of their bachelor’s degree.
Submit the Online Application. (Despite what the How to Apply page says, you won’t need to pay the application fee or submit your Chapman transcripts since you are already a Chapman student!)
- As a current Chapman student applying to an integrated master’s degree program, the department has agreed to waive the recommendation letter requirement for your application. In the online application, please enter the name, email and phone number for two faculty members at Chapman who support you as a candidate for this program.
- A 1,000-word essay addressing your background and interest in the field of international studies.
- Your resume or curriculum vitae.
- GRE scores are waived for integrated applicants.
- Successful completion of an interview with the MA International Studies Program Director.
Curriculum
Any 500-level course that is approved for MA credit is eligible to count toward the integrated program.
Students complete the remaining credits of the MA degree, including all required courses, by the end of the graduate program.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the advantages of the Integrated program?
You’ll save money. During your senior year, you will continue paying the set amount for undergraduate tuition without any additional charge for taking graduate classes.
You’ll save time. You’ll finish your graduate degree in as little as one year and enter the workforce that much sooner.
You’ll continue your education at a place you know. You won’t have to start over at a new school. You’ll already know what resources are available to you. You might even already know some of your professors in the graduate program.
How does sharing credits work?
If accepted into a graduate program, undergraduate students may take up to 15 graduate credits. These 15 credits can be used to satisfy the undergraduate graduation requirements and count toward the MA program.
Students should check with their advisor, program director, and/or department chair, as well as the office of financial aid regarding sharing credits.
How do I register for classes as an integrated student?
Undergraduate students, including students currently admitted in the integrated program, must register for graduate courses using the Undergraduate Request to Register for Graduate Course form. One form should be submitted for each class in which the student would like to enroll. In Wilkinson College, the Graduate Programs Coordinator can sign for the Instructor and Department Chair.
Please note, forms cannot be submitted to the office of the registrar prior to a student’s enrollment appointment.
- Sample Senior Year Course Schedule
Fall (6 units)
- IS 502: Peace, Conflict and Human Rights
- IS 680: Cultural Diversity/Ethnic Identities in a Globalized World
Spring (9 units)
- IS 503: Challenges of Development
- IS 505: Research Design
- Elective
Contact Us
Crystal Murphy, Ph.D.
Director, MA in International Studies
crmurphy@chapman.edu
David Krausman
Graduate Programs Coordinator
(714) 516-7116
krausman@chapman.edu
Shannon Morris Alvarez
Graduate Admission Counselor
(714) 628-2884
shmorris@chapman.edu
For additional admission information, please contact:
Office of Graduate Admission
888-CU-APPLY or (714) 997-6711
gradadmit@chapman.edu
Application Deadlines
Apply now using the Online Application.
Students apply to the integrated program during their junior year or first semester senior year. Integrated program students must have either already earned 90 credits or be enrolled in and anticipate earning 90 credits earned before the first day of the graduate course(s) in which they wish to enroll.