Purdue Engineering offers select Combined Degree 4+1 programs that allow high-achieving undergraduate students to earn both a Bachelor of Science (BS) and a Master of Science (MS) degree in an accelerated timeline. These combined programs provide a streamlined path to deepen technical expertise, strengthen research and professional skills, and become more competitive in industry and academic careers.

Programs

Purdue Engineering Combined BS/MS Degree programs each have their own eligibility rules, timeline, and application process — click a discipline provided in the menu below to learn about the program offerings, along with how to apply.

*Opportunities in West Lafayette

The combined BSAAE/MSAA program offers qualified applicants the opportunity to earn the BSAAE and MSAA degree in as little as five years. The program provides a seamless transition from undergraduate to graduate studies and allows for courses to be dual counted towards both degrees, thereby reducing the overall time required for the MS degree. This program is only available to students in the BSAAE program.

Learn more: Combined BSAAE/MSAA Program

*Opportunities in West Lafayette and Indianapolis

The Combined BS/MS degree in Biomedical Engineering offers opportunities for Purdue undergraduates to integrate advanced coursework and research preparation for careers at the intersection of engineering and health. Students may choose from thesis and coursework only tracks.

Learn more: Fifth-Year Combined BS/MS in Biomedical Engineering with thesis Learn more: Fifth-Year Combined BS/MS Professional Master's coursework only

*Opportunities in West Lafayette and coming soon in Indianapolis

The Combined BS+MSCE Degree program is an integrated program that can be completed in as little as five years. This program will allow a student to dual count up to two graduate level courses between the BS and MSCE coursework requirements, thereby reducing the overall time required for the MSCE degree.

Learn more: 4+1 BS/MSCE Program

*Opportunities in West Lafayette and Indianapolis

The 4+1 BS/MS in ECE is an exclusive program for current Purdue ECE undergraduates that allows students to earn both a BS and MSECE in as few as five years. This program leverages the outstanding characteristics of the Purdue ECE undergraduate experience to accelerate completion of a Master's degree.

Learn more: 4+1 BS/MSECE Program

*Opportunities in West Lafayette

Undergraduates who intend to continue their studies in the Graduate School at Purdue may wish to begin their graduate coursework in their senior year, while they are still completing their undergraduate requirements. Getting an early start on the graduate program often leads to greater choice of graduate courses, and earlier completion of the graduate degree. Students can apply for this their Junior year via an annual survey sent Fall semester to identify interested students.

Learn more: Combining Undergraduate and Graduate Studies

*Opportunities in West Lafayette and Indianapolis

The Combined BSME/MSME Program is an integrated five-year degree program in which qualified students can earn a BS and an MS in Mechanical Engineering. The program provides a seamless transition from the BS to MS programs for Purdue students where graduate courses taken as undergraduate electives are counted toward both the BS and MS degrees, thereby reducing the overall time required for the MS degree. Students can choose to go to the Thesis track or the Professional Master’s track.

Learn more: Combined BSME/MSME: The 5-Year Plan

*Opportunities in West Lafayette

The 4+1 BSNE/MSNE is an exclusive program for current Purdue NE undergraduates that allows students to earn both a BS and MS in as few as five years. This program leverages the outstanding characteristics of the Purdue NE undergraduate experience to accelerate completion of a Master's degree.

Learn more: 4+1 BSNE/MSNE Program

*Opportunities in West Lafayette

Sustainability Engineering and Environmental Engineering (SEE), in collaboration with other Purdue departments, schools, and programs offers a Combined Degree Program in which a Purdue student can receive a BS degree, and with an additional year of study, a Master’s of Science in Environmental and Ecological Engineering (MSEEE) degree. This is accomplished by dual-counting up to 12 appropriate course credits at the 500 level on the BS and MSEEE Plans-of-Study.

Learn more: EEE Combined Degree Program

If you are not eligible for a BS/MS Degree (4+1) Program

Additional options for continuing graduate study in Purdue Engineering are available to you:

  • Apply to a separate Master's program. Many students complete the Master's in 1–2 years of graduate study. Programs may offer different types of master's degrees, which may include master's with thesis or professional master's. 
  • Consider a variety of formats for working professionals including part-time, online, or professional master's.
  • Pursue Graduate Certificate offerings that let you gain advanced skills without committing to a full degree.
  • Start out taking Non-degree Graduate Coursework: complete individual graduate courses to build credentials or test the fit of graduate study.

Schedule a meeting with your undergraduate advisor or the graduate office in your school of interest to learn more about graduate study at Purdue!

Learn more here: www.engr.purdue.edu/gradprograms

 

FAQs

Eligibility varies by school but commonly includes: Purdue junior standing at the time of application, a minimum cumulative GPA (often 3.0 or higher), completion of specific prerequisite coursework, and faculty/graduate-admissions approval. See your school’s program page for exact criteria.

Most programs accept applications in the spring of your junior or early senior year. Some schools require an internal 4+1 application and a separate graduate school application. Check the discipline page for exact deadlines and required materials.

Policies differ by program. Many 4+1 pathways allow a limited number of graduate credits (commonly 6–12) taken while an undergraduate to count toward the MS. Consult your department’s 4+1 policy for the transfer limit and grade requirements.

Options depend on the MS program. Some schools offer both thesis (research) and non-thesis (coursework or project) tracks. Decide early and discuss with your faculty advisor, since the track can affect course selection and funding opportunities.

Tuition rules and billing practices vary. In many cases, you remain classified as an undergraduate for billing and financial aid until you are formally admitted to the graduate program; contact Student Financial Aid and your school for specifics.

Funding for 4+1 students depends on the program and availability. Guaranteed funding for the additional year is not universal. Ask your school about typical funding packages for 4+1 Combined Degree students.

A 4+1 can make you more competitive for technical and leadership roles and often leads to faster career advancement. Many students also use the extra year to specialize in technical areas that align with industry needs.

If you decide not to continue to the MS, the coursework you completed as an undergraduate still counts toward your BS (per undergraduate policies). Speak with your advisor to confirm transcript and degree implications. Please note: The BS/MS program is a continuous program. Should a student leave the program and need to be re-admitted as a Master’s student, "dual-counted course status" is no longer applicable.

  1. Review the discipline program page.
  2. Meet with your undergraduate advisor and the school’s graduate program coordinator.
  3. Prepare application materials: transcript, statement of purpose, letters of recommendation (if required), and any program-specific forms.
  4. Submit school-specific and graduate school applications by posted deadlines.