Blended Programs

What is a Blended Program?

• Joint (blended) Bachelor's and Master's degree
• No “formal” application made through Admissions; no application fee
• Under Title V, minimum of 225 total units required (BS 180 + MS 45)
• Blended matriculation is “Graduate”
• Only certain bachelor/master programs are paired as blended. (see above)

Academic Objectives

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is the difference between a Blended Program, BMS/BMA, or a 4+1 Program?

  Blended Program, BMS/BMA, and 4+1 are different names for the same degree objective. Toward the end of his/her undergraduate degree at Cal Poly, a student can apply to pursue a Blended Program (this is the correct name to use) in which the student seamlessly transitions from undergraduate (Bachelor’s) to graduate standing (Master’s) without having to apply through Cal State Apply. Once the student has completed all degree requirements for BOTH the undergraduate degree and the graduate degree, BOTH degrees are then conferred at the same time. PLEASE NOTE: Not all majors on campus are eligible to pursue a paired Bachelor’s and Master’s degree (see Graduate Education website for eligible degree pairings).

• Will I be able to complete all degree requirements for a Blended Program in 5 years?

  Not necessarily. There is no guaranteed 4+1 time-frame. Consult with your Graduate Coordinator and develop a Working Formal Study Plan. You will receive your Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees when you have completed all degree requirements for both degrees. This often takes longer than 5 years to accomplish, particularly if your program requires a thesis.

• I want to apply to a Blended Program: What should I do?

  If you are interested in applying for a Blended Program, there are three steps you will need to complete:

  1. Speak directly with the Graduate Coordinator of your program of interest. All Blended Program pairings have their own criteria for admittance and application processes. All Graduate Coordinator contact information can be found on Graduate Coordinators.
  2. File a Blended Programs Application Approval Form with the Graduate Education Office. You should only file your approval form once your program of interest has officially accepted you as a Blended student. PLEASE NOTE: You must also file a Blended Pathway Postbaccalaureate Change of Objective to transition to graduate standing. The Blended Programs Application Approval Form does not replace the Blended Pathway Postbaccalaureate Change of Objective.
  3. File a Blended Pathway Postbaccalaureate Change of Objective (E-Form) with the Graduate Education Office the quarter BEFORE you would like to transition to graduate standing. For instance, if you would like to transition to graduate standing in the Spring quarter, you will need to submit your Postbac. Change of Objective to the Graduate Education Office by the fourth week of the Winter quarter. PLEASE NOTE: You can only transition to graduate standing once you have completed 91% of your undergraduate degree, successfully completed the Graduation Writing Requirement, and submitted a Blended Programs Application Approval Form to the Graduate Education Office.

• Can I apply for any Blended Program on campus?

  No. Only certain majors on campus are eligible to pursue a paired Bachelor’s and Master’s degree. To determine if your undergraduate program is paired with a corresponding approved Master’s degree, view the Blended Program Pairings PDF.

• Can I be conditionally admitted into a Blended Program?

  No. There are no conditional admittances into any Blended Programs. Students who are accepted into Blended Programs should not be required to complete any additional courses other than those identified as required for the Bachelor’s and/or Master’s degrees in the Cal Poly catalog.

• If I am accepted into a Blended Program, do I still need to complete my senior project?

  Yes. All Blended Program students must also complete all senior project requirements identified in the Cal Poly catalog for their respective undergraduate program.

• I have completed more than 180 undergraduate degree-applicable units; can I still apply for a Blended Program?

  You must apply to a Blended Program BEFORE you have completed all undergraduate degree-applicable units required for your specific major. Check with the Cal Poly Catalog to be sure.

  Also keep in mind that you must be matriculated at graduate standing for a minimum of two academic quarters before you graduate. If you are matriculated at graduate standing for less than two academic quarters, the Office of the Registrar will be unable to grant your Master’s degree.

• Do I need to complete the Graduation Writing Requirement before I apply for a Blended Program?

  Completion of the Graduation Writing Requirement (GWR) is required to submit the BLENDED PATHWAY Postbaccalaureate Change of Objective. Some graduate programs will accept applications to the program with this requirement pending, however, you will not be able to transition to graduate standing until the requirement has been satisfied and is reflected on your Poly Profile.

• Will I still have access to Degree Planner and my Degree Progress Report once I transition to graduate standing?

  No. Unfortunately, you will lose access to Degree Planner and your Degree Progress Report once you transition to graduate standing. You must run your final Degree Progress Report before your Postbaccalaureate Change of Objective is processed.

• I want to apply to a Blended Program, and I have already completed most of my graduate-level courses. How many quarters must I be matriculated at graduate standing?

  Blended Degree students must be matriculated for at least two academic quarters at graduate standing before they can graduate. If you are matriculated at graduate standing for less than two academic quarters, the Office of the Registrar will be unable to grant your Master’s degree.

• Will transitioning to graduate standing impact my tuition rate?

  Yes. Transitioning to graduate status will increase your tuition. PLEASE NOTE: Transitioning to graduate standing may also impact your financial aid status. Speak directly with the Financial Aid Office for more information.

• As a Blended student, how many units do I need to complete to satisfy both my undergraduate and my graduate degree requirements?

  Under California Code of Regulations, Title V, a minimum of 225 total units are required (Bachelor’s 180 + Master’s 45) for receiving a Blended degree. A Blended Program can allow double counting equal to the number of units greater than 180, but not to exceed 9 units.

• I have been accepted to a Blended Program, but I want to participate in a Co-op or internship during the first quarter I will be matriculated at graduate status. What should I do?

  If you will be gone for a Co-op or internship during the first quarter of your Blended Program (the first quarter you are matriculated at graduate standing), you must either:

  1. Enroll in an approved Co-op course, or
  2. Apply for GS 597 through the Extended Education Office BY THE FIRST DAY OF THE QUARTER IN WHICH YOU WILL BE GONE. For instance, if you will be absent from Cal Poly in Fall, you must enroll in GS 597 by the first day of the Fall quarter. All graduate students at Cal Poly must be actively enrolled the entire time they are completing their degree requirements. To maintain Continuous Enrollment, you must enroll in a 1 unit, credit/no credit course run through the Extended Education Office (GS 597). For more information about Continuous Enrollment, visit Continuous Enrollment.

• I was accepted as a Blended student, but I had to leave Cal Poly and was discontinued as a student. I would like to return to Cal Poly to complete my degree. What should I do?

  Returning to Cal Poly as a Blended student can be extremely challenging. The first step is completing a "Former Student Evaluation Request" with the Office of the Registrar.

  Once you have received a response from the Office of the Registrar, contact the Graduate Education Office directly before re-applying to Cal Poly. Our office will be able to assist you with this complicated process.