Staying A Fifth Year
A student earning an ScB in one field (for example, computer science) and an AB in another (for example, economics) is permitted to stay an extra year if needed to finish up concentration requirements. The student must pass a minimum of 38 courses and declare their intent to stay for a fifth year by their fifth semester. Another option (please see below) is to earn a Master's degree.
Earning A Fifth-Year Master's Degree
Brown has three programs under which an undergraduate can stay for a fifth year to earn a Master's degree:
- The Master of Science in Cybersecurity is the only program of its kind in the Ivy League, a fully online degree designed to bring together students from all over the world. Cybersecurity at Brown is rooted in the University’s interdisciplinary approach to learning and solving problems and participants will attend the same classes as in-person students, graduating with a sophisticated understanding of subjects like cryptography, network security, and cloud security. Click here to learn more and here to apply.
-
The Fifth-Year Master's Degree program allows students, after completing their Baccalaureate degree, to continue at Brown for a Master's degree and use courses taken while an undergrad to satisfy two of their Master's course requirements. Applications open in mid September. Students completing their undergraduate degree requirements in December or May must apply by May 1 of that academic year for entry into the program in September. In addition, students who complete their undergraduate degree requirements in December may opt to apply by October 15 for entry into the program the following January. To apply, go to https://apply.professional.brown.edu/apply and indicate on your application that you're a current Brown senior. [This last instruction will soon change.]
Of the eight courses used to satisfy the Master's degree requirements, two may be completed while the student is an undergraduate, even if they are also used to satisfy undergraduate concentration requirements. At least six semester courses must be taken while in residence as a master's student; the student should complete their graduate study in two semesters.
While a student must be enrolled as an active undergrad student at the time of application, admission to the master's program can be deferred for up to two years with approval of the department's director of graduate studies (master's).
- The Concurrent Baccalaureate/Master's Degree program (click here to apply) allows exceptionally capable students to combine their last year or two of undergrad study with grad study, resulting in the simultaneous completion of both a Baccalaureate degree and a Master's degree.
Students must apply for this program during their junior year. Their applications must be first approved by the Committee on Academic Standing, which will ascertain that the student's academic performance has been outstanding and that the student's undergrad program is sufficiently broad (normally meaning taking at least ten courses outside their fields of concentration). Applications then must be approved by the Graduate Council and the appropriate department, which may place additional requirements on admission to this special program.
The candidate must complete a minimum of thirty-six courses within eight or nine semesters and complete the requirements of both the Baccalaureate degree and the Master's degree. No more than two courses may be used to satisfy both Baccalaureate concentration requirements and Master's requirements. Brown CS permits only those students pursuing an ScB in any of its concentrations to obtain a concurrent Baccalaureate/Master's degree.
