Watson College 4+1 Program | Thomas J. Watson College of Engineering and Applied Science

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Completing a master's degree can help push your career prospects to the next level. Save time and money by completing one of Binghamton University's 4+1 Program.

Benefits of an 4+1 degree

Less time to degree, five years total
Save money: Students in the 4+1 Program can take up to three graduate level courses at the cost of undergraduate courses.
Start off looking for more advanced careers at the MS level with only one additional year of study.
Have a greater potential for a higher starting salary from one of the best colleges for return on investment according to PayScale 2018.

The quality of coursework and the receptiveness of the faculty to new ideas provided me with fundamental knowledge, and the freedom to explore my passions in mechanical engineering. The 4+1 program allowed me to pursue a master's degree in a way that was affordable and efficient.

- Tyler J. Mehlman '16, MS '17
Mechanical Engineer at Keystone Tower Systems

Available Programs

Undergraduate Degree: Biomedical Engineering, BS
Graduate Degree: Biomedical Engineering, MS

Grade Requirements
GPA of 3.3 or higher based on Spring Junior or Fall Senior grades**
Course Requirements
Up to three graduate courses taken in the student’s senior year can count towards MS degree and senior technical elective requirements
Graduate Program Contact
Guy German (ggerman@binghamton.edu)

Undergraduate Degree: Computer Science, BS
Graduate Degree: Computer Science, MS

Grade Requirements
GPA of 3.3 or higher based on Spring Junior or Fall Senior grades**
Course Requirements
Up to three graduate courses taken in the student’s senior year can count towards MS degree and senior technical elective requirements
Graduate Program Contact
Leslie Lander (lander@binghamton.edu)

Undergraduate Degree: Computer Engineering, BS or Electrical Engineering, BS
Graduate Degree: Electrical & Computer Engineering, MS

Grade Requirements
GPA of 3.3 or higher based on Spring Junior or Fall Senior grades**
Course Requirements
Up to three graduate courses taken in the student’s senior year can count towards MS degree and senior technical elective requirements
Graduate Program Contact
Ning Zhou (ningzhou@binghamton.edu)

Undergraduate Degree: Industrial & Systems Engineering, BS
Graduate Degree: Industrial & Systems Engineering, MS or Systems Science, MS

Grade Requirements
GPA of 3.3 or higher based on Spring Junior or Fall Senior grades**
Course Requirements
Up to three graduate courses taken in the student’s senior year can count towards MS degree and senior technical elective requirements
Graduate Program Contact
Industrial and Systems Engineering Sarah Lam (sarahlam@binghamton.edu) or Systems Science Hiroki Sayama (sayama@binghamton.edu)

Undergraduate Degree: Mechanical Engineering, BS
Graduate Degree: Mechanical Engineering, MS

Grade Requirements
GPA of 3.3 or higher based on Spring Junior or Fall Senior grades**
Course Requirements
Up to two graduate courses taken in the student’s senior year can count towards MS degree and senior technical elective requirements
Graduate Program Contact
Sherry Towfighian (stowfigh@binghamton.edu)

Undergraduate Degree: Mechanical Engineering, BS
Graduate Degree: Materials Science and Engineering, MS

Grade Requirements
GPA of 3.3 or higher after five semesters***
Course Requirements
Up to two graduate-level courses taken in the senior year can double count for both BS and MS degrees
Graduate Program Contact
Guangwen Zhou (gzhou@binghamton.edu)

Undergraduate Degree: Computer Science, BS; Computer Engineering, BS; Electrical Engineering, BS; Industrial and Systems Engineering, BS; or Mechanical Engineering, BS
Graduate Degree: Master of Business Administration*

Grade Requirements
GPA of 3.0 or higher after five semesters (Fall semester, Junior year)
Course Requirements
Must take three core MBA courses during junior and/or senior year
Graduate Program Contact
Molly Pianella (mpianella@binghamton.edu)

*For ECE and BME students only: if GPA is less than 3.5. but at least 3.0, special consideration may be given with support from two department faculty. Their signatures are required on the department application form.

**BS+MBA open to all Watson majors, except Biomedical Engineering.

***For ME-MSE students: Applications that do not meet the 3.3 GPA requirement will be evaluated by the Materials Science and Engineering Admissions Committee

Watson/SOM 4+1 BS/MBA Program

Application Process

1. Complete the department application your junior year.

Complete the department application and and email it to the department contact (see chart in FAQ section) or deliver a hard-copy before the end of your junior year.

2. Complete the Graduate School application during senior year (second semester) via BU Brain.

During your senior year or when you have a minimum of 88 undergraduate credits and at least a 3.0 GPA, you will formally apply to the Graduate School. We recommend you complete the Graduate School application process in the final semester of your senior year. Submit all required application materials. GRE, letters of recommendation and $100 deposit are waived.

If you are an international student who holds or hopes to obtain an F-1 or J-1 visa, you must submit the International Student Financial Statement (ISFS) form and financial documentation. For more information, review the additional admission requirements for international students.

3. Access BU Brain via the myBinghamton Portal and complete the 4+1 degree program application.

Choose the "Accelerated Graduate Degree Application for Admission," which is located in the "Home" tab. Answer the presented questions, then submit the application.

4. Pay the application fee.

After the Graduate School receives your application, you will be able to pay the application fee. The Graduate School only reviews applications for which the $75 non-refundable accelerated / 4+1 degree program application fee was successfully paid.

Start by activating your account, then follow the instructions to reset your password, log into your new graduate application status page, and submit your application fee payment.

You can use a Visa, MasterCard, Discover or American Express credit card. Your credit-card bill serves as your receipt.

We are happy to be able to grant application fee waivers to certain populations. Please see the Can I get an application fee waiver? section within the FAQ to see if you qualify.

5. Receive your admission decision.

Once an admission decision has been made, you will receive an e-mail from Graduate Admissions. (Add "gradadmission@binghamton.edu" to your email address book or contact list. Don't forget to check your spam folder!) If you have been accepted, you will also receive an admission letter.

6. If accepted, confirm your intent to continue at Binghamton University.

Watson College students do not need to pay the $100 deposit fee to confirm enrollment.

Confirm your intent to continue as a graduate student by following the instructions in your admission email and letter. After you confirm your intent to continue, your student status will transition to graduate level after Binghamton University officially awards your bachelor's degree. Then, before the semester begins, take the steps outlined in your admission email and letter. See the New Student webpage for general information for new graduate students.