Most college students don't start the first day of their freshman year thinking about their plans for graduate school. For some, however, a Master's program is part of their schedule from day one, part of combined degree programs that mix undergraduate and graduate work.
In these combined programs, three years of undergraduate studies are followed by two years of graduate studies, and students can finish college with an undergraduate degree and a Master's degree in just five years. UB has 30 such programs.
Because the time is allocated in this way, the combined degree program is frequently referred to as the 3/2 program.
"With the 3/2 program, I saved a year of time that I would have spent in classes," said Nathanael Anderson, a graduate student currently enrolled in the MBA program. "I also saved a year's worth of tuition."
Anderson is pursuing his combined degree and will graduate with a BS in industrial engineering and an MBA concentrating in finance.
An additional appeal of this program is simultaneously receiving two diplomas. This year students will no longer receive one dual diploma as they have in the past. Instead, students will receive two separate diplomas, one for their undergraduate study and one for their graduate study.
Although the results are the same for students, having both pieces of paper to frame their accomplishments seems much more rewarding.
"This seemed to be an important factor for 3/2 students," Jaimie Taylor, associate director of MBA recruitment, said. "So beginning this graduating year we will hand out both diplomas during graduation."
For students considering applying to the program, it is important to stay on schedule with undergraduate course work. Students can keep their options open by visiting once a semester with an academic advisor.
"As long as students are on the right academic track with their general education requirements they shouldn't have any problem with the application process," Taylor said.
Students are required to take the GRE or the GMAT depending upon their choice of graduate study and accepted students in most cases, are expected to have a GPA higher than 3.0 and a competitive standardized test score.
The high scoring requirements are meant to make up for the lack of post-Bachelor work experience.
"Most traditional 3/2 students do have full-time work experience but it's not post-bachelor," Taylor said.
Since all 3/2 students are mixed with full time MBA students who have post-Bachelor full-time work experience, the higher GPA and standardized test score is meant to level out the playing field.
"Sometimes it's better for students to gain about 18 months outside work experience first, then come back and apply to the MBA program," said Ray Orrange, an adjunct assistant professor in management science and systems.
Most students may be heeding this advice since only 25 percent of all the students who meet with Taylor to express interest in the program actually apply.
"It would have been hard for me to graduate from undergrad, work for a couple years, and then try to come back for my MBA," Anderson said. "Since I wanted to do one right after the other, I figured the 3/2 program was my best option."
Because the MBA program requires complete dedication, focus and maturity are the golden standard for recruitment. In essence, 3/2 is mixing undergraduate students with outside professionals, so it is important not to add younger students who lack the ability to commit.
"I do not recommend students to apply to the 3/2 program just because they want to stay in school a few more years," said Taylor. "This program is designed for students who know where they are going in life and are interested in seeking out the resources to help them get there."
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
