4+1 Accelerated Programs

Harpur/Master of Science in Genocide and Mass Atrocity Prevention
4+1 Program Proposal

Designed exclusively for students in the Harpur College of Arts and Sciences, the Harpur/Master of Science in Genocide and Mass Atrocity Prevention (M.S. in GMAP) 4+1 program is compatible with any Harpur College undergraduate major. This program allows students to take the first year of M.S. in GMAP coursework in their senior year with at least some of those credit hours double counting towards fulfilling their Harpur upper-level electives. Students in this program earn an undergraduate degree and a M.S. in GMAP degree from in only five years, saving one year of graduate tuition. No prerequisite coursework is required to enter this 4+1 program.

Admissions

The Harpur/M.S. in GMAP 4+1 program requires a two-step admissions process: admission to the M.S. in GMAP 4+1 program when a student has second semester junior standing, and admission to the Graduate School when the student has second semester senior standing.

Admission to 4+1 Program

To be eligible to apply to the M.S. in GMAP 4+1 program, students must have enough room in their senior year schedule to complete their undergraduate degree AND make sufficient progress toward their M.S. in GMAP degree. Prior to applying, the M.S. in GMAP program as well as the student’s Harpur and major advisor(s) must have approved their degree plan.

When applying, students must submit the following materials to the M.S. in GMAP program in the Graduate School:

  • Personal statement between 1,000 and 1,500 words that answers the question, "How does a degree in Genocide and Mass Atrocity Prevention relate to your professional aspirations?” As part of your statement, students should describe relevant aspects of their personal, academic and/or professional background, what atrocity prevention means to them, their special interests within the field, why they are interested in enrolling in the 4+1 program, and other considerations that may be of interest to the GMAP admissions committee. When evaluating the personal statement, the GMAP admissions committee assesses commitment to atrocity prevention as well as well as effectiveness in written communication.
  • Current resume

  • Two (2) letters of recommendation from individuals who know you in a
    professional capacity. This may include professors, work supervisors, and
    professionals from organizations where you have served as a volunteer or in
    another capacity. When evaluating the letters of recommendation, the GMAP
    admissions committee looks for evidence of academic achievement, community involvement, and personal characteristics that suggests the capacity to promote a culture of atrocity prevention and resilience.

Admission to the Graduate School

Students apply to the Graduate School through the graduate program application process (https://gograd.binghamton.edu) when they have second semester senior standing. In order to be accepted into the Graduate School as a graduate student in the M.S. in GMAP program, a student must have made sufficient progress toward their M.S. in GMAP degree in their senior year. This means they will have successfully completed GMAP 500, GMAP 501, GMAP 502 (12 credits) as well as successfully completed at least 9 additional graduate credits towards their M.S. in GMAP degree.

The additional credits may be in the form of additional core GMAP courses (GMAP 503 or 504), GMAP electives (GMAP 518x, 528x, or 538x), advanced methodologies, or GMAP research projects (GMAP 550); students are not eligible to enroll in the Field Placement (GMAP 580) as undergraduates.

Harpur College Undergraduate Academic Requirements

Students can begin preparing for the Harpur/M.S. in GMAP 4+1 program as early as their freshman year by planning to take their required undergraduate coursework as soon as possible. All Harpur College students must complete all components of their bachelor’s degree by the end of their fourth year, which includes 94 liberal arts and sciences credits, 126 total credits, general education requirements, Harpur College requirements (writing, upper-level, and residency) and major requirements.

To be eligible for this Harpur/M.S. in GMAP 4+1 Program, by the second semester of their junior year, students must be able to create a degree plan that shows they will complete the following coursework by the end of their senior year:

  • General Education requirements
  • Major requirements
  • Harpur College requirements (upper-level, writing and residency requirements)
  • 126 total credits
  • 94 liberal arts and sciences credits

It is important to note for planning that at least some of the courses taken towards the Harpur/M.S. in GMAP 4+1 program in a student’s senior year can double count towards the Harpur upper-level requirement and the 126 total credits required for graduation.

4th Year (Senior/Transition Year)

Students take the first year of M.S. in GMAP coursework, including GMAP 500, GMAP 501, and GMAP 502. During their senior year, they also must successfully complete 6 additional credits for a total of 18 graduate credits towards their M.S. in GMAP degree. The additional credits may be in the form of additional core GMAP courses (GMAP 503, 504), GMAP electives (GMAP 518x, 528x, 538x), advanced methodologies, or GMAP research projects (GMAP 550); students are not eligible to enroll in the Field Placement (GMAP 580) as undergraduates. Students may not exceed 18 credits of graduate coursework in this year.

5th Year (Graduate Status)

Students finish their M.S. in GMAP coursework. Students who complete 18 credits as an undergraduate will have 27 credits remaining at graduate status.