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Highly motivated undergraduates majoring in Russian studies at CU-Boulder have the opportunity to enter a BAM (Bachelor’s–Accelerated Master’s) in Russian Studies program, thereby earning both the BA and the MA in five years. The concurrent degree program offers a unique academic credential designed to produce skilled graduates for a variety of occupations.

Russian BAM Application

To apply for the Russian BAM, first complete the Russian BAM Application form. Then upload that form and an unofficial transcript with the online BAM Intent Application.

In most cases, students must make written application no later than April 1 of the sophomore year. Applications to the program from students with junior standing will be also considered on a case-to-case basis. An overall 3.0 GPA and 3.25 or higher for all Russian studies courses is required, as well as names of two recommenders.  No GRE is required.  Students should have completed most of their MAPS/Core requirements by the end of the sophomore year. Only CU-Boulder students may apply.

For more information on the BAM in Russian, contact the Director of Russian Graduate Studiesor the Graduate Program Assistant.

Russian BAM Requirements

BA Degree

Students complete requirements for the Language and Culture Track of the Russian Studies Major. Students admitted to the BAM program can take a maximum of 12 credit hours toward the MA while they are still completing their BA. Up to  6 of these credits may be earned in upper-division undergraduate (3000/4000-level) courses, which may be counted toward both the Russian BA and the Russian MA;  the other 6 should be earned in graduate (5000-level) courses and will only count toward the MA.  Note: Students should ensure they don't try to take over 12 credit hours toward toward their MA while they are still completing their BA. It is not possible to apply only some of the credits from a course to the MA, so if a student takes courses worth 13 credit hours, they will lose one whole course, not just 1 credit hour. (For example, a student who takes one 4-credit course and three 3-credit courses in hopes of applying these credits to the MA will only be able to apply the 10 credits from the 4-credit course and two of the 3-credit courses; all credits from the third 3-credit course will remain unusable).  

Transition from BA to MA Degree

Students will need to apply to graduate for the BA the semester they will complete the BA degree.  In that same semester, they will also need to apply for admission/continuation to the MA degree using the.  Students must have a cumulative 3.0 GPA to continue to the MA degree, and  they must begin the MA program within one academic year of completing the BA. 

Upon successful admission to the MA degree, BAM students will be changed to graduate status and should follow all graduate school rules for MA students. From this point forward, they will be charged graduate tuition and will be eligible for TAships and graduate scholarships/fellowships. Note: Being changed to graduate status might affect a student's financial aid. .

MA Degree

Students complete requirements for the .

Note: As stated above under “BA Degree,” BAM students can apply up to 12 credits taken while in undergraduate status to the MA degree; up to 6 of these credits can come from upper-division undergraduate (3000/4000-level) courses that count toward both the BA and MA degrees.   

MA Language Proficiency Examination and Degree Options

In addition to completing required coursework, all students pursuing an MA in Russian must pass a Russian language proficiency examination. Students pursuing the non-thesis degree option must pass an MA Examination; students pursuing the thesis option must complete and defend an MA Thesis. See details and timelines for examinations and degree options in the Russian MA Handbook. 

For more information, see CU’s Office of the Registrar BAM webpage.