Sustainability-Geography BAM

What is the GEO-SUST BAM degree?

It is a combined Bachelor’s and Master’s (BAM ) Pathway — students who complete the program will earn a BA in Interdisciplinary Studies: Sustainability and a MA in Geography and Environment. A collaboration between the Institute for Sustainability and Resilience, the Interdisciplinary Studies Program and Department of Geography and Environment allows students to earn both degrees in five years.

What is the advantage of doing a GEO-SUST BAM degree as opposed to doing a traditional MA degree?

The advantage of doing this degree is that it can be faster and cheaper than doing a straight MA. The program allows up to 9 credits to “double count” between the BA and MA programs. For those 9 credits, students will be paying the BA price for the credits they earn but can apply them towards a MA. In addition, double-counting these 9 credits means the students have to take fewer classes than they would if they did a traditional BA and MA.

What are the minimum credit requirements to get this degree?

The combined BA+MA program in Interdisciplinary Studies: Sustainability / Geography and Environment (GEO-SUST BAM) will require students to take a minimum of 141 credits. Of this, nine will be double counted toward both degrees. With the double-counted courses, students will earn 150 credits, reflecting 120 credits for the BA and 30 credits for the MA.

How does double counting credits work on the GEO-SUST BAM program?

Nine (9) credits may be double counted across the two programs:

• GEO 695 Concepts and Theories in Geography (3 credits) will be counted within the SUST major as an Upper-Division Major Core Course (3 credits)
• GEO 696 Research Design / Methods in Geography (3 credits) will be substituted for the SUST 495 Sustainability Capstone (3 credits)
• One course numbered 400+ that fits the student’s SUST major area of concentration as well as the Master’s in Geography and Environment:
  • GEO 411 / SUST 413 Past Global Change and the Human Era (3 credits)
  • GEO 426 / SUST 426 Environment, Resources, and Society (3 credits)
  • GEO 422 / SUST 423 Agriculture, Food and Society (3 credits)
  • SUST 427 / ERTH 420 Beaches, Reefs, and Climate Change (3 credits)
  • SUST 420 / NREM 420 Community and Natural Resource Management (3 credits)
• If an incoming student would like to try and substitute a course for double-counting that is not included in this list, they will need to contact the Geography Graduate Chair and make arrangements cmora@hawaii.edu PRIOR to the March 15 application deadline.

How can I apply for a GEO-SUST BAM degree?

Step 1: Take the Gateway Course
While in the process of completing their BA, students must complete a gateway class GEO 325 / SUST 326 (Geography, Environment and Society – 3 credits)–offered each Fall semester– with a B or better grade to be eligible for the program. This course is part of the Upper-Division Major Core Courses for the SUST BA degree.

Step 2: Application
Students submit the Graduate Admissions Application and fee as well as all required program admission materials by March 15 to be considered for the Fall admission of the same year. To request an application, please contact the Geography Graduate Chair cmora@hawaii.edu

Step 3: Admission
Accepted students will receive notice of “admission,” typically in the Spring of the junior year (6th semester). The following semester (considered year 1 of the BAM program and generally starting the fall of senior year (7th semester)), pathway students begin the double-counted coursework at the undergraduate tuition rate. Pathway students are considered dual program students.

NOTE: Admittance to the BAM is conditional. An overall cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher (upon graduation with the baccalaureate degree) is required to apply for and continue in the graduate program.

What if I want to apply for the GEO-SUST BAM but do not have a clear Geography background?

Students should first look at the MA requirements, and then seek an appointment with the GEO Graduate Chair to evaluate whether other classes can be counted towards the degree. Students determined to have a sufficient breadth of exposure in classes related to human geography, environmental geography, geo-spacial technology, statistics or equivalent quantitative topics may apply.

What if I want to apply for the GEO-SUST BAM but I am already a Senior?

If you are already a Senior, we recommend you apply directly to the Geography and Environment MA program.

Can I substitute another class for the 325 Core class?

 This core class is necessary since it is the only one required. The Geography and Environment department offers this course every Fall semester, so it is easy to access.

How can I substitute another class as a double dipping class?

If an incoming student would like to try and substitute a course for double-counting that is not included in this list, they will need to contact the Geography Graduate Chair and make arrangements (please email cmora@hawaii.edu ) prior to the March 15 application deadline. Please note that the Graduate Division guidelines are clear that double dipping classes are only allowed in the first year of the BAM .

When are the foundational GEO-SUST BAM classes taught?

• The gateway GEO 325 / SUST 326 (Geography, Environment and Society – 3 credits) is taught each Fall Semester.
•  GEO 692 and 695 are taught in the Fall and GEO 696 is in the Spring.

Is there a limit to the number of credits accepted for the BAM?

Up to 14 “excess credits” can be transferred into the graduate program, including 9 credits allotted as double counting credits (these must be recorded as double dipping credits in the first year of the BAM program).

What if I received below a B on the Core class?

If a student receives lower than B on a core class required for BAM entry, we advise not to apply for the BAM. If a student is accepted into the BAM but earned below a B grade for the core class, conditional entry into the BAM program will be revoked.

What if I am accepted to the GEO-SUST BAM degree, but the program does not work out for me?

Students can always stop at the end of the BA program and graduate with a full-fledged BA. If a student decides to come back after they graduate with a BA, they will have to apply to be readmitted into the regular MA program. At the time of re-application, students should contact the Geography and Environment Graduate advisor to see if classes taken in the BA can apply to the MA program.

Where can I find an academic advisor for the GEO-SUST BAM Degree?

• For questions about applying to the program, and for general GEO SUST BAM advising questions, please contact sustain@hawaii.edu
• For course substitution requests and questions related to when classes will be listed, please contact the Geography Graduate Chair cmora@hawaii.edu