Combined Option for UF Undergraduates
January, June, and August start dates available.
Current University of Florida students can apply to the Combined MSM option and, if accepted, they can begin MSM coursework in their undergraduate Senior year. Students can apply 12 credits of graduate coursework to both their undergraduate and graduate degrees, saving time and tuition money. In addition to the 12 credits counting towards both degrees, students may take an additional 9 credit hours to count only to their M.S. while still an undergraduate. The MSM program is then pursued full-time after the Bachelor's degree is earned.
If you choose to apply, you are encouraged to meet with an MSM advisor to understand how the Combined option would work best for your particular needs.
Benefits
There are both time and financial benefits to doing the Combined option. A student taking MSM courses while still an undergraduate can 'double count' up to 12 credits toward both the Bachelor's degree and the Master's degree.
Cost Benefits
If you receive Florida Bright Futures, Florida Prepaid or most other undergraduate scholarships, these scholarships will cover a portion of your graduate tuition while you are still an undergraduate. The scholarship will pay the graduate tuition at the undergraduate rate, and you must compensate for the difference between the undergraduate and graduate rates.
For example, if a student "double counts" 12 credits between Bachelor's & Master's degrees and takes an additional 9 credits that only count toward Master's degree, a student can save up to $4,664!
- $2,017 savings for 12 undergraduate credits (based on Fall 2010 tuition fees) that he or she did not need to take because they were substituted with grad business courses
- $2,646 savings if the student is receiving FL Bright Futures and takes 21 graduate business credits ($126 X 21) still an undergraduate.
Time Benefits
Depending on how many credits you earn during your senior year, you could potentially earn your Master's degree in the semester following your Bachelor's graduation. If students complete the maximum of 21 credits while they are undergraduate students, they would only need to complete 11 additional credits to earn their M.S. degree! That could be done in one semester.
Admission & Application
The Combined option is considered to be a type of "honors" path for high-performing University of Florida students, thus we are more selective for this option than we are for non-Combined MSM admission. Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission. Thus, it is important for you to fully apply to the Combined option several months in advance of your desired start date. Most students apply in the final semester of their Junior year.
Combined students are permitted to begin MSM courses in the Summer B, Fall or Spring terms, and we allow overlap of the Bachelor and Master phases for just one semester, for two semesters, or for a full year if a summer term is completed.
Combined Specific Requirements
- 3.2 cumulative GPA and an above average score on the GMAT or GRE.
- Students must have completed 90 credit hours, including AP, IB and dual enrollment, before beginning the program.
- Students must receive a grade of B or better on all graduate courses taken before the Bachelor's degree is earned.
- Admission to the MSM Combined option does not constitute admission to the UF Graduate School. To continue with the MSM program after earning the Bachelor’s degree, combined students must meet the Graduate School’s admissions requirements (see below).
Deadlines
We allow admitted Combined MSM students to start MSM courses in any of the terms below.
| Start term | Deadline | Applicant can expect response by: | Admitted applicants must reply and submit professional development fee by: |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (January) | |||
| Combined Deadline | Nov 1 | Nov 15 | Dec 1 |
| Summer B (late June) | |||
| Combined Deadline | May 1 | Jun 1 | Jun 15 |
| Fall (late August) | |||
| Deadline | Jun 15 | Jul 1 | Jul 15 |
Application Requirements
The minimum materials required to apply for the program are as follows:
-
Combined Application Notice
Please complete the Combined Application Notice form online.
-
Statement of Purpose Essay
The essay should be emailed (msm at warrington.ufl.edu) to us. Please emphasize:
- Your motivations for applying to the MSM program
- Why you think you are a good candidate for MSM
- How you would contribute to the program
Use the essay as an opportunity to highlight what you think we cannot assess from the other application materials. This is also the place you may wish to clarify or elaborate on something specific within your application package.
-
Resume or Curriculum Vitae (C.V.)
A typical business resume is kept to one page, however, for admissions purposes we encourage applicants to not limit their resume to one page. Since we rarely interview applicants, it is important for us to get a complete picture of each individual to determine if MSM is a good match for them. Please elaborate on duties and responsibilities, as well as leadership activities and time commitments outside of the classroom.
Please email (msm at warrington.ufl.edu) your resume as an attachment.
-
Two Letters of Recommendation
A minimum of two written recommendations highlighting your talents and personality based on your academics, volunteer work, campus and community involvement, research background, or work/internship history. We prefer to receive recommendation letters via email, but we also happily accept paper-based recommendations if your recommender prefers that method. Recommendation letters should be from supervisors (e.g. professors, employers, advisors, volunteer coordinators, etc.).
-
Official Transcripts
Official undergraduate transcripts from all institutions attended are required. Students who have received or will receive a Bachelor's degree from the University of Florida (UF) do not need to send transcripts since the MSM Office has access to UF transcripts.
-
Official GRE/GMAT score
The MSM program accepts either Educational Testing Service (GRE) or Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) test scores. We have no preference as to what test applicants choose to take. Given the diverse applicant pool, this flexibility allows students to select a test that best fits their testing strengths and future academic goals. For example, applicants who plan to attend an MBA program in the next 5 years may select the GMAT while those who plan to pursue further graduate education can take the GRE.
Review the Frequently Asked Questions about the GRE Revised General Test for more information on this delay.
It is in the applicant's best interest to plan ahead in order to prepare for and schedule a test. The test scores are good for five years, so don't hesitate and take it long before you plan to apply. When scheduling the test, keep in mind that you have to wait 30 days before retaking the test. You may want to take the test early enough so that you have the opportunity to retake it if you do not do well.
GRE: UF does not mandate minimum GRE scores. GRE test scores will be used in the context of a holistic credential review process. Below are the test score ranges which are considered good (verbal and quantitative sections). Scores below or above this range are considered weak or excellent, respectively.
- GRE (score before August 1, 2011) = 1100 - 1200
- GRE (score after August 1, 2011) = 302- 308”
Use code: UF: 5812
For currently enrolled UF students, the UF Teaching Center and Reading & Writing Center offer GRE preparation workshops each semester. Past workshops have included an overview of the test, best practices, and practice tests. Students with workbooks can also contact them for more information on walk-in or individual tutoring. Please visit their websites for more information: Teaching Center and Reading & Writing Center.
GMAT: There is a minimum required score for the GMAT, and that is a 465 total (verbal + quantitative). A score between 550- 620 is considered good for the GRE; anything below or above would be considered either weak or excellent respectively.
Use code: J7Z-5J-64
Upon receiving application materials, the MSM office will send one email regarding the status of your application. Further correspondence must be initiated by the applicant.
Graduate Admission Requirements
(To be completed in your bachelor’s degree graduating term with your MSM advisor)
Admission to the MSM Combined Option does not constitute admission to the UF Graduate School. To continue with the MSM program after earning the Bachelor’s degree, combined students must meet the Graduate School’s admissions requirements. To be eligible for graduate admission, students must:
- Earn a Bachelor’s degree with a grade point average of 3.0 or above
- Complete the online graduate admission application and pay the application fee by posted deadline
- The graduate admission application should be completed AFTER the bachelor’s degree application has been submitted.
- Have no conduct flags that disqualify them from graduate admission
- Submit valid test scores that meet the MSM program and Graduate School’s minimum requirement (note: test scores are only valid for 5 years)
- Submit all required combined degree paperwork by posted deadlines
- Earn at least a “B” or better in any graduate course in order for it to count toward their Master’s degree.
Timeline & Planning Ahead
We only permit undergraduate students to begin our MSM coursework after they have completed at least 90 credit hours, including AP, IB and dual enrollment credits in pursuit of the Bachelor's degree. Furthermore, you must have fully applied to the MSM program and received an offer of admission. To plan ahead, the ideal time to apply to the MSM Combined option is in the middle of or late in your Junior year if you wish to maximize the experience with all 12 graduate credits permitted.
It is also strongly recommended that ALL general education and writing and math requirement (Gordon Rule) requirements have been completed as well so you can fully focus on completing your major requirements and being successful in the MSM courses.
