The 3+2 pathway

Preparation and application

Apply after two years of satisfactory undergraduate work and completion of the four prerequisites, with a faculty recommendation and personal statement.

• Calculus I
• Introduction to Programming in Python
• Probability I (one module)
• Linear Algebra

Sample pathways by undergraduate subject

Explore complete course plans, independent study projects and thesis milestones adapted from our student guides.

These are sample schedules. Work with your area-of-concentration sponsor to confirm course prerequisites, actual offerings, remaining BA requirements and the fall thesis deadline. Graduate courses do not automatically replace undergraduate requirements.

Thesis, BACC and independent study

Plan three January Independent Study Projects (ISPs) during Years 1–3, including the projects required by your area of concentration. Use this work to prepare for your senior thesis.

Develop the thesis with your sponsor during Year 3. The original 3+2 plan calls for completing the thesis, Baccalaureate Exam (BACC) and all remaining BA requirements in Year 4 fall, before formal graduate entry in spring.

If thesis timing changes, discuss a revised course and graduation plan with the program director. The original plan places formal graduate admission in the first spring after all BA requirements are complete.

Graduate course sequence

The MS requires 36 graduate credits, including the four graduate courses taken during the BA. Year 5 spring is a full semester of supervised applied work.

For help planning your pathway, contact graduateDS@ncf.edu.

References: NCF 3+2 pathway; original program proposal (PDF).