Programs Toward Graduate or Professional Degrees

Acceleration Toward Professional Degrees

NOTE: The policies and procedures related to integrated undergraduate and professional degrees described below apply to students who have been admitted to these programs before the 2023-2024 academic year.  These policies and procedures are under review and may be different for students who were not already admitted before the 2023-2024 academic year.

Senior Year in Professional Studies at Case Western Reserve University

Students of outstanding ability and attainment who are candidates for the BA and who are admitted to professional studies at Case Western Reserve University by the end of the junior year may shorten their entire course of studies by one year through the Senior Year in Professional Studies privilege.  Application should be made during the second semester of the junior year through the Undergraduate Advising Support Office.  This privilege is extended to students who are candidates for the BA and who attend the School of Dental Medicine; the School of Law; the Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing; or the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences of Case Western Reserve University.

A student granted the senior year in professional studies privilege is permitted to substitute the work of the first year in a professional school for that required during the last year as an undergraduate.  Upon the satisfactory completion of the first year’s work in the professional school, the student will be granted the bachelor’s degree from the College of Arts and Sciences. 

To be eligible for the senior year in professional studies privilege, a student must:

  1. Be accepted for admission to professional studies at Case Western Reserve University.

  2. Meet the following degree requirements:

    1. Completion of the SAGES requirements, the General Education Requirements of the College of Arts and Sciences, and the physical education requirement.

    2. Completion of three-fourths of the courses required for the major, including three-fourths of the courses required in the major department.  [If the student has not completed major requirements at the time of receiving the BA, the degree will be awarded without a major.]

    3. Completion of 84 credit hours of arts and sciences courses.  These credit hours may be drawn from those offered by the College of Arts and Sciences, as well as those in biochemistry, computer science, economics, neuroscience, or nutrition.

    4. Completion of at least 90 credit hours of academic work, of which the final 60 credit hours must have been in residence.  A student may include in that final 60 credit hours no more than six credit hours earned in courses completed in other institutions either by cross-registration or by approved off-campus study.

Upon admission to the program, students register in the professional school to which they have been admitted and are subject to the policies, rules and regulations of the professional school.  They may, however, continue to receive CWRU undergraduate scholarships and may continue to reside in undergraduate housing during what would normally be their senior year of undergraduate work.  They will be considered professional school students with respect to the awarding of need-based aid.

For information, contact the Undergraduate Advising Support Office.

Senior Year in Absentia Privilege for Students of Medicine and Dentistry

Students of outstanding ability and attainment who are candidates for the BA degree and are offered admission to a medical or dental school other than those at Case Western Reserve University at the end of the junior year are eligible to shorten their entire course of studies by one year through the Senior Year in absentia privilege.  Application for this privilege should be made during the second semester of the junior year through the Undergraduate Advising Support Office.

A student granted the Senior Year in absentia privilege is permitted to substitute the work of the first year in a professional school for that required during the last year in the undergraduate college.  Upon the satisfactory completion of the first year’s work in the professional school, the student will be granted the BA from the College of Arts and Sciences.  The privilege is extended to qualified students who attend medical schools in the United States or Canada approved by the Association of American Medical Colleges or dental schools in the United States approved by the American Association of Dental Schools.

To be eligible for the Senior Year in absentia privilege, a student must:

  1. Be accepted for admission to professional studies.

  2. Attain a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.200 in all courses attempted from the date of admission as an undergraduate.

  3. Meet the following degree requirements:

    1. Completion of the SAGES requirements, the General Education Requirements of the College of Arts and Sciences, and the physical education requirement.

    2. Completion of three-fourths of the courses required for the major, including three-fourths of the courses required in the major department.  [If the student has not completed major requirements at the time of receiving the BA, the degree will be awarded without a major.]

    3. Completion of 84 credit hours of arts and sciences courses.  These credits may be drawn from those offered by the College of Arts and Sciences, as well as those in biochemistry, computer science, economics, neuroscience, or nutrition.

    4. Completion of at least 90 credit hours of academic credit, of which the final 60 credit hours must have been in residence.  A student may include in that final 60 credit hours no more than six credit hours earned in courses completed in other institutions either by cross-registration or by approved off-campus study.

For information, contact the Undergraduate Advising Support Office.

Integrated BA/BS and Master of Accountancy

Undergraduate students at Case Western Reserve University have the opportunity to pursue both the Bachelor of Arts (BA) or Bachelor of Science (BS) degree and the Master of Accountancy (MAcc) degree through the BA/BS and Master of Accountancy Integrated Study Program. The integrated program is open to students pursuing any undergraduate major, though students majoring in or with a secondary major in accounting are able to complete both degrees in the shortest amount of time, typically nine semesters. CWRU students must apply and be admitted to the MAcc program, though certain requirements are waived. Because the integrated program requires proper planning of coursework, undergraduate students are strongly encouraged to meet with a Weatherhead academic advisor as early as possible. A select number of exceptionally well-qualified high school seniors who plan to study accounting are offered places in the Early Admission to the Integrated Study Program in Accounting.

Based upon the student's professional interests, they will choose between two tracks, the Professional Track and the STEM Track, that are specifically tailored to develop the ability to prepare, interpret, and communicate accounting information as required by the profession. The integrated study program is strongly recommended for those students planning to obtain professional certification as a certified public accountant (CPA). Upon completion of the MAcc program, graduates will have satisfied the accounting educational requirements to sit for the CPA examination in the state of Ohio. including the required 150 credit hours of study at the university level. Depending on a student’s previous studies, they may or may not satisfy the general business educational requirements. If students wish to sit for the examination in a state other than Ohio, they are encouraged to review the educational requirements before beginning their studies in order to plan accordingly.

Integrated BA/BS and Master's Programs in Business Analytics and Intelligence, Finance, and Supply Chain Management

The Integrated Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science and Master of Business Analytics and Intelligence, Master of Finance, or Master of Supply Chain Management program allows qualified CWRU undergraduates to work towards the completion of a specialty master's degree from the Weatherhead School of Management during their undergraduate studies, thereby enabling completion of both degrees in a shorter period of time.  Students admitted to the program may count up to nine credit hours of graduate level courses taken while an undergraduate towards both the undergraduate degree (as appropriate to the student's undergraduate degree program) and the relevant master's degree.  After completion of the BA or BS, the student enrolls as a graduate student in the Weatherhead School of Management to complete any additional coursework required for the master's degree.

Admission to Weatherhead's integrated programs (BA/BS and Master of Business Analytics and Intelligence; BA/BS and Master of Finance; BA/BS and Master of Supply Chain Management) is based on academic preparation and achievement (undergraduate coursework and GPA), GMAT/GRE or SAT scores, and genuine interest in business analytics, finance, or operations research/supply chain management (determined by application essays, letters of recommendation, and interview).

Acceleration Toward Graduate Study

NOTE: The policies and procedures related to integrated undergraduate and graduate degrees described below apply to students who have been admitted to these programs before the 2023-2024 academic year.  These policies and procedures are under review and may be different for students who were not already admitted before the 2023-2024 academic year.

Integrated Graduate Studies Program

The Integrated Graduate Studies Program (IGS) is intended for highly motivated undergraduate students who are candidates for the BA degree and whose objective is a degree at the master’s or doctoral level.  Qualified students may apply in the junior year to be admitted to graduate study for their senior year and pursue the simultaneous completion of requirements for both the master’s and bachelor’s degrees.  The baccalaureate will normally be awarded upon completion of the requirements for both degrees, unless a student satisfies all BA requirements prior to completing the master’s degree requirements.  Students in the IGS Program are exempted from the 42-hour limit imposed on BA candidates for work above the 100-level in a single department.  However, the exemption is granted only upon completion of the master’s degree requirements.

Eligibility requirements for participation in the Integrated Graduate Studies Program are:

  1. 90 credit hours earned of which the last 60 credit hours must have been in residence at Case Western Reserve University.
  2. Completion of the SAGES requirements (including the SAGES Writing Portfolio), the General Education Requirements of the College of Arts and Sciences, and the physical education requirement; students who have fulfilled all SAGES requirements except the Senior Capstone will be required to complete the capstone during their first year in the IGS program.
  3. Completion of three-fourths of the requirements for the major, including three-fourths of the courses required in the major department.
  4. Admission to a master’s or doctoral program offered through the School of Graduate Studies.

Upon admission to the program, IGS students register as students in the School of Graduate Studies and are subject to the policies, rules and regulations of the School of Graduate Studies.  They may, however, continue to receive CWRU undergraduate scholarships and may continue to reside in undergraduate housing during what would normally be their senior year of undergraduate work.  They will be considered graduate students with respect to the awarding of need-based aid.

For information, contact the Undergraduate Advising Support Office.

Integrated BS/MS in Nutrition

Admission to the Integrated BS/MS in Nutrition program is subject to the same process and requirements as admission to the Integrated Graduate Studies Program described above.  Upon successful completion of the program, students earn the BS in Nutrition and the MS in Nutrition.

BS/MS Program for Candidates for the BS in Engineering, Computer Science, Mathematics, Natural Sciences, and Statistics

The Integrated BS/MS Program is intended for highly motivated candidates for the BS in engineering, computer science, mathematics, natural sciences, or statistics who wish to pursue an advanced degree. Application to the BS/MS program must be made in the junior year and prior to attaining senior status (completion of 90 credit hours). Generally, this means that a student will submit the application during their sixth semester of undergraduate course enrollment and will have no fewer than two semesters of remaining BS requirements to complete.

A student admitted to the program may, in the senior year, take up to nine credit hours of graduate courses (400-level and above) that will count towards both BS and MS requirements. The courses to be double-counted must be specified at the time of application. Courses taken prior to admission to the program cannot count towards the MS unless they are in excess of BS degree requirements and permission to use them towards the MS has been granted by the dean of graduate studies and the dean of undergraduate studies.

To be considered for the BS/MS Program, a student must:

  1. submit to the School of Graduate Studies an application for admission to the program, and
  2. submit to the Undergraduate Advising Support Office a Planned Program of Study form showing the courses to be double-counted.

Students for whom the master’s project or thesis is a continuation and development of the senior project should register for Exxx 651 Thesis (or the appropriate project course) during the senior year and are expected to complete all other courses for the BS before enrolling in further MS course work and thesis (continuing the senior project).  Students for whom the master’s thesis or project is distinct from the senior project will be expected to complete the BS degree before taking further graduate courses for the master’s degree.

Applicants in engineering or computer science should consult their departmental BS/MS advisor in the Case School of Engineering.  Applicants in mathematics, natural sciences, and statistics should consult the Undergraduate Advising Support Office.

Pre-Professional Scholars Programs

Conditionally Guaranteed Admission to the University's Professional Schools

The Pre-Professional Scholars Programs in Medicine and Dentistry grant to a few outstanding entering first-year undergraduates conditional commitments of admission to the corresponding professional school at Case Western Reserve University. These commitments are honored upon successful completion of the requirements established by each professional school.  Students admitted to these programs are relieved of much of the anxiety and uncertainty associated with pre-professional studies. Consequently, they feel free to undertake challenging courses of study and pursue a variety of interests as they prepare for professional studies. Pre-Professional Scholars in Medicine are free to choose any of the bachelor’s degrees available in the university.  Pre-Professional Scholars in Dentistry are not required to complete a bachelor's degree, but may elect to do so in any of the bachelor's degree programs available. Participants who wish to change their career goals or apply for admission to other professional schools are free to do so.

Information for students seeking admission to Case Western Reserve University as part of the Pre-Professional Scholars Program in Medicine or Dentistry is available from the Office of Undergraduate Admission.

Pre-Professional Scholars Program in Dentistry

Each year, approximately 10 exceptionally well-qualified high school seniors who plan to pursue careers in dentistry are offered places in the Pre-Professional Scholars Program in Dentistry.  This program requires seven years: three years of successful undergraduate study and four years at the School of Dental Medicine.

Pre-Professional Scholars in Dentistry are not required to complete a major, but if they elect to earn a bachelor's degree they are free to choose a major in an area of interest.  Students who elect to complete a bachelor's degree must either complete all degree requirements by the end of their third year or switch to the Senior Year in Professional Studies program, which permits them to substitute the work of the first year in dental school for that required during the last year as an undergraduate pursuing a Bachelor of Arts.  Students who switch to the Senior Year in Professional Studies program in order to complete their bachelor's degree will not lose their conditional admission to the School of Dental Medicine, but they are expected to complete all requirements for the Pre-Professional Scholars Program.

To qualify for the place reserved in the School of Dental Medicine, a Pre-Professional Scholar in Dentistry must achieve the following:

  1. A cumulative grade point average of 3.500 or higher for all coursework, as well as for all science coursework taken, including, but not exclusively, biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics.
  2. A Perceptual Ability score of 18 or higher and an Academic Average score of 19 or higher on the Dental Admission Test (DAT) of the American Dental Association.  The test must be taken no later than January of the third year.
  3. Successful completion of the following courses, with a minimum of 30 credit hours in biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics taken at Case Western Reserve University:

    Biology:

    BIOL 214
    & 214L    		Genes, Evolution and Ecology
    and Genes, Evolution and Ecology Lab    		4
    BIOL 215
    & 215L    		Cells and Proteins
    and Cells and Proteins Laboratory    		4
    BIOL 216
    & 216L    		Development and Physiology
    and Development and Physiology Lab    		4

    Chemistry:

    CHEM 105Principles of Chemistry I3
    CHEM 106Principles of Chemistry II3
    CHEM 113Principles of Chemistry Laboratory2
    CHEM 223Introductory Organic Chemistry I3
    CHEM 224Introductory Organic Chemistry II3
    CHEM 233Introductory Organic Chemistry Laboratory I2
    CHEM 234Introductory Organic Chemistry Laboratory II2

    Physics:

    PHYS 115Introductory Physics I4
    PHYS 116Introductory Physics II4
  4. Successful completion at Case Western Reserve of an Academic Inquiry Seminar, two Communication-Intensive courses, a modified Experience Portfolio that includes work from the Academic Inquiry Seminar and the Communication-Intensive courses, at least one course in the arts and humanities, at least one course in the social sciences or management, and two semesters of Wellness.  [Students choosing to earn an undergraduate degree must complete the full set of Unified General Education Requirements.]
  5. A successful transition interview with faculty representing the School of Dental Medicine's admissions committee, usually scheduled after the receipt of grades from the fall semester of the third year.

Pre-Professional Scholars Program in Medicine

Each year, 15 to 20 exceptionally well-qualified high school seniors who plan to pursue careers in medicine are offered places in the Pre-Professional Scholars Program in Medicine. Pre-Professional Scholars receive a conditional commitment of admission to the University Program of the Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine to be honored upon successful progress toward and completion of the bachelor’s degree. The Pre-Professional Scholars Program in Medicine requires eight years: four years of successful undergraduate study leading to the bachelor’s degree followed by four years in the University Program of the School of Medicine. Pre-Professional Scholars in Medicine who complete their undergraduate degree requirements in fewer than four years are required to pursue other experiences intended to enhance their professional and personal development during the period following the receipt of their bachelor’s degree and until study at the School of Medicine begins.

Pre-Professional Scholars in Medicine are free to choose from among all of the degree and major programs offered in the university but must complete the courses in biochemistry, biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics/statistics, and behavioral sciences listed in the Conditions of Admission letter they received when accepted to the program. Pre-Professional Scholars are expected to demonstrate successful academic progress by meeting the following level of performance: A CWRU cumulative GPA of 3.65 and a cumulative American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS) GPA and AMCAS Biology, Chemistry, Physics and MATH (BCPM) GPA of 3.65 at the time of application and maintained on final graduation transcripts. They are also expected to continue to fulfill expectations for outstanding professional and personal development as outlined in the Conditions of Admission letter. These expectations include, but are not limited to, maintaining academic integrity and adhering to the University’s standards of conduct (all academic integrity and judicial offenses will be reported to the School of Medicine), clinical shadowing, and involvement in undergraduate activities and community programs.

Pre-Professional Scholars in Medicine are not required to take the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) for the program. However, if they do take the MCAT, they are expected to achieve a score that is above the 94th percentile in order to maintain their position in the Pre-Professional Scholars Program. Program participants who have an interest in applying to other medical schools or who wish to be considered for a dean’s merit scholarship at the Case Western Reserve School of Medicine should plan to take this test.

Progress is reviewed with each student at regular intervals in the program. At the end of the third year, Pre-Professional Scholars in Medicine who have met the required levels of performance go through the normal admission procedures for the University Program of the School of Medicine, including submitting an application through the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS) and an interview.

Successful completion of the Pre-Professional Scholars Program in Medicine guarantees admission only to the University Program of the School of Medicine. Students seeking admission to the College Program of the Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine must complete a separate application and will be considered in competition with all applicants for that program.