Often referred to by such names as 4+1s, 3+2s, or dual degrees, Undergraduate-to-Graduate (U2G) programs are an important part of the UI landscape. These programs provide students with the opportunity to complete two degrees on an accelerated timeline. For example, a bachelor's degree and a master's degree in five years instead of six.

U2G Pathway

How does U2G work? Read on for a description of the timeline a student typically follows as they navigate the program from beginning to end.

Planning Ahead

Students are encouraged to begin considering how U2G might fit into their academic plan as early as possible. Students who are interested in applying to a U2G program need to be aware of the courses they are taking and in what sequence to stay on track and satisfy the requirements of both the bachelor's and the graduate degree in a reasonable amount of time.

Admission and Acceptance

UI student using laptop outdoors

The student submits an application to Graduate Admissions. Typically this occurs during their third or junior year.

Minimum eligibility requirements for all U2G programs:

  • Students who began undergraduate studies at the University of Iowa must complete at least 80 semester hours of undergraduate work (earned at the University of Iowa) prior to admission consideration
  • Students who began undergraduate studies at another institution and transferred to the University of Iowa must complete at least 30 semester hours of undergraduate work (earned at the University of Iowa) prior to admission consideration
  • UI cumulative GPA of 3.25 or greater at the time of admission consideration
  • UI cumulative GPA of 3.00 or greater at the time the student transitions to graduate student only status (after completion of the blended or U2G year)

Some programs have more stringent requirements, e.g., GRE requirements. Please use the links below to navigate to program-specific admissions requirements and application instructions.

Students who are accepted are notified by their specific U2G program. Official notices of acceptance are typically sent during the spring semester of the student's third or junior year.

UI students in graduation apparel take a selfie photo on the UI Pentacrest

Blended or U2G Year

Once admitted to the U2G program, the student will complete courses that are specifically designated to count towards both their bachelor’s and graduate degrees, typically during their fourth or senior year. The graduate degree program must approve the U2G credit designation for each course and will guide students through this process. For example, some students may complete 6 semester hours of courses in the fall semester and 6 semester hours in the spring semester, double counting 12 semester hours total.

Students are assessed undergraduate level tuition and fees during their blended or U2G year and until the bachelor's degree is conferred.

At the end of the blended or U2G year, students will have completed all of the requirements for their bachelor's degree and may participate in the commencement ceremony for conferral of their bachelor's degree. Students should follow published degree application deadlines.

Students must earn a UI cumulative GPA of 3.00 or greater after completion of the blended or U2G year to maintain eligibility to continue in the U2G program and transition to graduate student only status.

Sometimes plans change. If a student decides to discontinue U2G and not matriculate into the graduate year portion of the combined degree program, the double counting of credit earned during the blended or U2G year is revoked. U2G is designed as a continuous educational experience between undergraduate and graduate studies. Therefore only U2G students who continue into the program's graduate year are eligible to retain the double counted graduate credits. The completed coursework still counts for undergraduate-only credit after the double counted graduate credits are revoked.

Two UI students at a master's commencement ceremony

Graduate Year

After the bachelor's degree is conferred, eligible students enroll fully in their graduate degree program. Students are assessed graduate-level tuition and fees beginning in the semester after the bachelor’s degree is conferred and until the graduate degree is completed.

Students will continue with their program of study. In the semester of graduation students should follow published degree application deadlines. Once the graduate degree has been conferred, the U2G program is complete.

Some students may choose to continue their studies further by pursuing a doctoral degree after completion of the master's degree. If admitted to a UI doctoral degree program that grants its approval, the U2G double counted credit earned in a master's degree program may also count towards the doctorate. Interested students should discuss this with the doctoral degree program which determines whether the completed courses are eligible or ineligible to satisfy their curricular requirements.

U2G Programs

A current list of UI graduate degree programs that offer a U2G option is below. Some require that students are enrolled in a specific undergraduate major or degree objective to be eligible while others do not have this application requirement, as shown below. Click on the link to navigate to degree program details including program-specific admissions requirements.

Carver College of Medicine

College of Education

Contact College of Education admissions at ask-education@uiowa.edu for more information on any of their U2G programs.

College of Engineering

College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

College of Nursing

College of Public Health

Contact College of Public Health admissions at cph-admissions@uiowa.edu for more information on any of their U2G programs.

  • Biostatistics MPH (any undergraduate major/degree, accepts UI students and students from Coe College, Cornell College, Grinnell College, and Luther College)
  • Biostatistics MS (any UI undergraduate major/degree)
  • Community and Behavioral Health MPH (any undergraduate major/degree, accepts UI students and students from Coe College, Cornell College, Grinnell College, and Luther College)
  • Epidemiology MPH (any undergraduate major/degree, accepts UI students and students from Coe College, Cornell College, Grinnell College, and Luther College)
  • Epidemiology MS (any UI undergraduate major/degree)
  • Occupational and Environmental Health MPH (any undergraduate major/degree, accepts UI students and students from Coe College, Cornell College, Grinnell College, and Luther College)
  • Occupational and Environmental Health MS (any UI undergraduate major/degree)
  • Policy MPH (any undergraduate major/degree, accepts UI students and students from Coe College, Cornell College, Grinnell College, and Luther College)

Graduate College

U2G Handbook

Additional questions? Please refer to our U2G student handbook or feel free to reach out to Academic Affairs in the Graduate College at gradcoll@uiowa.edu.