Network Engineering Accelerated Master's Program
Join the next generation of leaders in Internet, cloud and Intranet networking at a lower cost in less time.
TheÌýBachelor’s–Accelerated Master’s (BAM) ProgramÌýoffers currently enrolled CU Boulder undergraduates the opportunity to receive a bachelor’s degree and ³¾²¹²õ³Ù±ð°ù’s degree in a shorter time. Students who are accepted can complete graduate-level coursework as an undergraduate and later apply these credits to satisfy ³¾²¹²õ³Ù±ð°ù’s degree requirements. Once students complete their bachelor’s degree, they will seamlessly transition into their ³¾²¹²õ³Ù±ð°ù’s program.
ÌýBAM Options
- Computer Science students can apply for the BAM program for the Professional MS in Network Engineering (course-based) graduate program. Computer Science students interested in the MS in Computer Science graduate program can choose the research-based MSCS option or the Professional MSCS (course-based) option.
- Computer Science students interested in the MS in Computer Science graduate program should review the CS BAM website.
Graduate Degree Requirements
Advantages of the BAM Program
- Complete a Master’s degree program faster
BAM students may take up to and includingÌý(12) credit hours of graduate-level (5000 numbered) classes while you pursue your bachelor’s degree in computer science which can later be used toward the ³¾²¹²õ³Ù±ð°ù’s degree. Of the (12) credit hours,Ìý(6) credit hours may be double counted towardÌýboth the bachelor’s degree and the ³¾²¹²õ³Ù±ð°ù’s degree. In cases where one of the BAM courses taken as an undergraduate student is 4-credit hours, a student can count no more than (13) credit hours to the master's degree, as the use of one (4) credit hour course may increaseÌýeitherÌýthe double-counting limitÌýorÌýthe number of remaining credits taken to be used toward only the ³¾²¹²õ³Ù±ð°ù’s degree (see below). - Pay less overall tuition
Graduate programs are typically more expensive per credit than undergraduate programs. BAM offers students an opportunity to complete graduate level coursework at undergraduate tuition rates before formally transitioning to the graduate program. - Continue working with faculty mentors
Staying at CU Boulder to pursue a BAM program will allow you to continue working with your established faculty mentors. - Easy application with no fees
Stand-alone ³¾²¹²õ³Ù±ð°ù’s programs require a more extensive application process including letters of recommendations and fees.
Admissions RequirementsÌý
- To gain admission to the BAM program, you must meet the following criteria:
- You must have at least junior class standing (60-89.9 earned credit hours). (BS/BA Students)
- Undergraduates are not allowed to applyÌýto be admitted to the NE BAM in the term (semester) they are graduating from their undergraduate degree.
- Students may not begin the BAM program the semester they are completing their undergraduate degree.
- For example, if a student is graduating with their BA or BS degree in spring, they may not begin the BAM program in spring semester.
- Undergraduates must apply to BAM with at least two semesters of coursework remaining in the Bachelor’s degree (excluding the semester they submit the BAM application).
- An undergraduate student receives the best value from a BAM program in both time and money if they are able to take all four graduate classes that the BAM program allows before they graduate with their undergraduate degree.
- You must have at least a 3.3 cumulative GPA.
- If you do not have at least a 3.3 cumulative GPA, you must have one letter of reference from a faculty member or your academic advisor outlining why you should be considered. Your letter-writer should send their letter directly to gradadms@colorado.edu.
- Complete all prerequisite courses with a minimum grade of B or higher. All prerequisite courses must be completedÌýbefore you apply to the BAM program.
- You must have at least junior class standing (60-89.9 earned credit hours). (BS/BA Students)
- Prerequisite classes for applicants:
- CSCI/CSPB 1300 Computer Science 1: Starting Computing
- CSCI/CSPB 2270 Computer Science 2: Data Structures
- CSCI/CSPB 2400 Computer Systems
- CSCI/CSPB 3308 Software Development Methods and Tools
- CSCI/CSPB 3753 Design and Analysis of Operating Systems
Applying to the BAM ProgramÌý
- Step 1-ÌýCheck your eligibility, including the prerequisite courses. If you have questions on eligibility, please contact your current undergraduate academic advisor.
- Step 2-ÌýRead information onÌývarious MS degree options very carefully before submitting the application.
- Step 3-ÌýCheck the Application deadlines. Applications are only accepted during the BAM Application cycle. Any applications submitted after the deadlines will not be considered.
Fall Cycle Spring Cycle October 1st Application opens
October 15th Application deadline
February 14th Application opens
February 28th Application deadline
- Step 4-ÌýComplete theÌý:
- CS BSÌýstudents select COMPUTER SCIENCE BS (CSEN-BS)
- CS BA students select COMPUTER SCIENCE BA (CSEN-BA)
- POST-BACCÌýstudents select APPLIED COMPUTER SCIENCE POST-BACC (CSAP-BSACS)
- Step 5-ÌýSubmit theÌý.
- Your BAM Intent form and CS Department App must have the same program listed
- ALL of your materials including BAM application, BAM Intent form and letters of support must be submitted by the deadline to be considered
CS Department BAM Application DeadlinesÌý
- For Fall admission: Feb. 28 (all materials due)
- For Spring admission:ÌýOct. 15 (all materials due)
Recommended BAM Undergraduate Courses
- Students in the BAM are typically recommended to take 2 Fundamental courses and 2 Core courses as part of their undergraduate BAM coursework. Students interested in alternative selections should contact the program and their undergraduate advisor to verify if/how they can count for their undergraduate program.
- Up to four (4) courses from the following:
- Up to two (2)ÌýFundamentals courses
- CSCI 5010 Fundamentals of Data Communication
- *CSCI 5030 Fundamentals of System Administration and Virtualization
- Students who take CSCI 4113 as part of their CU undergraduate program, are instead recommended to take CSCI 5020 Fundamentals of Network Programming.
- Up to two (2)ÌýCore courses
- CSCI 5160 Introduction to Enterprise Networks
- CSCI 5170 IP Routing Protocols and Policies
- CSCI 5180 Network Management and Automation
- Up to two (2)ÌýAdvanced Electives courses
- Up to two (2)ÌýFundamentals courses
Transitioning from the Bachelor’s to the Master’s
- Students indicate on their BAM application the semester they will formally begin the ³¾²¹²õ³Ù±ð°ù’s program. You have up to (3) semesters, including the summer, after completing your bachelor’s degree to start your ³¾²¹²õ³Ù±ð°ù’s program. If you experience a change of plans, you must update your starting semester with the Office of the Registrar by completing aÌý.
- The following forms must be submitted in the final semester of your undergraduate degree by the deadline posted below. Students should contact their undergraduate advisor with any questions before submitting these forms.
- This form indicates to the ³Ô¹ÏÍø that while you are completing your bachelor’s degree, you will remain an active student at the graduate level.
- This form indicates to the Graduate School how you would like to distribute your qualifying graduate-level coursework completed during your undergraduate career – i.e., what you would like toÌýdouble-countÌýand/or have applied to only the³¾²¹²õ³Ù±ð°ù’s degree.
- Important: BAM students may take up to and including (12) credit hours of graduate-level classes while you pursue your bachelor’s degree which can later be used toward the ³¾²¹²õ³Ù±ð°ù’s degree. Of the (12) credit hours, (6) credit hours may be double-counted toward both the bachelor’s degree and the ³¾²¹²õ³Ù±ð°ù’s degree. In cases where one (4) credit hour course is an academically advisable and appropriate substitute for a different (3) credit hour course, (13) total hours may be taken as an undergraduate. Any credit hours taken as an undergraduate in excess of (12/13) hours will not be allowed to count toward the accelerated master's degree. The use of one (4) credit hour course may increase either the double-counting limit or the number of remaining credits taken to be used toward only the ³¾²¹²õ³Ù±ð°ù’s degree; it does not increase the limit for both, and (13) is the total number of credits allowed in this case. Students should contact their current undergraduate academic advisor before submitting this form to ensure their undergraduate requirements will be sufficiently met.
- Reminder: Double-counted courses may not be used toward a subsequent doctoral program (or additional ³¾²¹²õ³Ù±ð°ù’s program) at CU Boulder.Ìý
- This form indicates to the Graduate School how you would like to distribute your qualifying graduate-level coursework completed during your undergraduate career – i.e., what you would like toÌýdouble-countÌýand/or have applied to only the³¾²¹²õ³Ù±ð°ù’s degree.
BAM Master’s Continuation & BAM Supplement Forms Submission Deadlines
- Feb. 1 - Students graduating in May
- Mar. 1 - Students graduating in August
- Oct. 1 - Students graduating in December