Portland-State-University 2023-2024 Bulletin

BA or BS Plus MA

Program Specific Admission requirements

Undergraduates interested in the B+M program must meet the following admission requirements at the time of the application deadline, 1 May.

  • Requirements for admission into the B+M program:

    • minimum 3.3 GPA in all classes

    • minimum 3.5 GPA in History courses

    • completion of no less than 120 credits credits by 1 May

    • Completion of HST 300 and at least one HST 400-level course by 1 May

  • Strongly Recommend for admission into the B+M program:

    • Completion of MA second language competency requirement or a clear plan to do so as part of their program

Program Specific Continuation Requirements:

Once admitted into the B+M program students must meet the following requirements in order to transition directly from the Bachelor’s to the Master’s program:

  • completion of at least three 500 level courses in the student’s final year of the Bachelor’s degree, one of which must be HST 500 in fall term. 

  • students must maintain an institutional undergraduate GPA of 3.30 or higher throughout their bachelor’s program and earn a B grade or higher in all graduate courses. 

  • resolve incompletes within one term.

  • while being admitted into the B+M program and completing the BA degree guarantees admission into the MA program, students must still formally apply to the MA program via Slate by the regular 1 February deadline.

  • students must complete their Bachelor’s degree by 31 August in the year after they are admitted to the B+M program in order to matriculate into the MA program.

Program Application Procedures

  • By 1 May students must submit the following materials via the application form:

    • Statement of Purpose (approximately 500 words) describing your specific area(s) of interest in history, your preparation for advanced study in the chosen field(s), and your reasons for pursuing a Master’s degree. Your statement should also address your language preparation, especially if you intend to pursue a field where a specific language is necessary. 

    • writing samples totaling 10 pages, ideally from a 400 level class

    • the names of two PSU History faculty members who will write recommendation letters for you. 

    • your transcripts