5-year Combined Bachelor’s & Master’s Degree (BAM) Pathways in Anthropology

The Department of Anthropology offers three BAM opportunities:

1. BA in Anthropology and MA in Anthropology, Biological Anthropology Track (Plan B)
2. BA in Anthropology and MA in Anthropology, Cultural Anthropology Track (Plan B)
3. BA in Anthropology and MA in Anthropology, Applied Cultural Anthropology in Hawaiʻi, the Pacific, and Asia

Notes:

• BAM tracks in the archaeology subfield are not currently available but may be offered in the future.
• Interested students should familiarize themselves with the BA program, the MA Program, and the Applied Cultural program as applicable.

• Students must be a declared BA Anthropology major at UH Mānoa.
• Minimum 3.0 GPA.
• Students must earn a grade of B (not B-) or higher in ANTH 300: Contemporary Social Issues during the fall semester of their junior year (junior = 60 - 89.9 earned credits, does not include in-progress credits).
• Students must apply no later than their junior year (see FAQ section).

Students submit the Graduate Admissions Application and fee as well as all required anthropology program admission materials by the deadline below to be considered for the Fall admission of the same year.

• Interested students must schedule an advising appointment with the Anthropology Major Advisor anthadv@hawaii.edu.
• Students must submit applications by January 15.
• To apply, follow the application procedures as provided by UHM Anthropology. Application materials are required by both UH Mānoa Graduate Division and the Department of Anthropology.

Is there an archaeology or applied archaeology BAM track?

No. The Department of Anthropology does not currently offer a BAM track in archaeology but may offer it in the future.

Why can’t I apply to the BAM program later than my junior year?

The BAM program offers the opportunity to complete a BA and MA degree in 5 years, but you should not conceptualize this as completing the master’s degree in one year. Instead, you are completing the master’s degree requirements in both your senior year and the year after you earn your BA. The benefit of this is that you pay undergraduate tuition for one year of the MA program and get an early start on your graduate degree. Thus, your senior year is the first year of your master’s program. Applying later than your junior year would mean that you would not have time to complete the first year of your master’s degree requirements within the timeline. This does not mean you cannot apply to the MA program. It just means you will not have the opportunity to complete your MA requirements in your senior year.

Can I complete a master’s thesis (Plan A) through this program?

No. The anthropology master’s program generally has two options, a ‘Plan A’ (thesis) and a ‘Plan B’ (non-thesis). Both options require research, however, the ‘Plan B’ option is more flexible. Thus, BAM students will complete a ‘Plan B’ project rather than a ‘Plan A’ thesis, given the constraints of completing BA and MA requirements in their senior year.

If I complete ANTH 300 or equivalent at another university, am I still eligible to apply for the ANTH BAM program?

No. Students interested in applying to the ANTH BAM program must have completed ANTH 300 at UHM with a grade of B or higher. Since the UHM Department of Anthropology designed ANTH 300 specifically to serve as the “gateway” course for entrance into the ANTH BAM program, students must take ANTH 300 at the UHM if they’re interested in applying. Students who have taken ANTH 300 (or equivalent) elsewhere and are interested in applying to the BAM program must retake ANTH 300 at UHM.

Do I need to submit GRE scores with my application?

No. UHM Anthropology majors who apply for the ANTH BAM program are not required to include GRE scores. However, prospective students who apply to the traditional (non-BAM) UHM Anthropology Graduate Program must include GRE scores.

Are ANTH BAM participants eligible to take a Leave of Absence (LOA), if needed?

Yes, however, until the bachelor’s degree is conferred, pathway students should follow the undergraduate procedures to request a leave of absence (LOA), if needed. Graduate students, once classified, must be enrolled for at least one semester before becoming eligible for a LOA.

Minimum Credits: The combined BA+MA program in Anthropology will require students to take a minimum of 141 credits. Of this, nine will be double-counted toward both degrees. With the double-counted courses, students will receive 150 credits, reflecting 120 credits for the BA and 30 credits for the MA.

Double Counting: Up to nine (9) credits of UHM coursework may be double-counted for both the bachelor’s and master’s degree, including two (2) 600-level courses and one (1) 400-level course. These courses must be taken at UHM and cannot be transferred in from another university. Students must earn a grade of ‘B’ or better. The following courses are approved for ‘double counting’:

• ANTH 490 - History of Anthropology
• ANTH 601 - Ethnology (core)
• ANTH 603 - Archaeology (core)
• ANTH 604 - Biological Anthropology (core)
• ANTH 611 - Contemporary Anthropological Theory (core)
• ANTH 681 - Applied Cultural Anthropology

Gateway Course: ANTH 300 (Contemporary Social Issues - 3 credits), offered fall semesters only. Undergraduate majors must complete this course at UHM with a minimum grade of B or higher in order to be considered for the pathway. Typically, students will take this course in the fall semester of their junior year.

Admission Notice: Accepted students will receive notice of “admission,” typically in the spring of the junior year (6th semester). The following semester, which would generally be the fall of senior year (7th semester), pathway students begin the double-counted coursework at the undergraduate tuition rate. Pathway students are considered dual program students. An overall cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher (upon graduation with the baccalaureate degree) is required to apply for and continue in the graduate program.

Bachelor’s Degree: The bachelor’s degree is conferred after successful completion of all required coursework, including meeting the minimum upper division credit requirement (currently 45 credits) for the undergraduate degree. Anthropology BA requires that a minimum of 37 credits come from ANTH courses.

Graduate Enrollment: Pathway students begin their 9th semester as “graduate students,” and continue the master’s degree program at the graduate tuition rate. Continuous enrollment after conferral of the bachelor’s degree is required (unless on approved leave of absence after the first semester as a graduate student). If the baccalaureate degree is not conferred, graduate status will be inactivated and the student may not continue to take courses applicable to the graduate program.