4+1 Dual Degree Programs

The BDML 4+1 Dual Degree programs represent a multi-year curriculum development initiative to create accelerated BS+MS pathways for GSU undergraduates in Computer Science and Data Science. By enabling up to 12 credit hours of double-counting between undergraduate and graduate curricula, these programs reduce time-to-degree by a full semester while strengthening GSU's graduate pipeline from within its own undergraduate population.

Programs

BS in Data Science → BDML

Approved · Launched Fall 2026

Accelerated pathway for GSU Data Science undergraduates. Eligible students begin BDML graduate coursework in their senior year, double-counting up to 12 credit hours across both degrees.

GPA 3.5+ · Prerequisites: CSC 1301/L, CSC 1302, CSC 2720, MATH 3020 · Up to 12 double-counted credits

Full program details →

BS in Computer Science → BDML

Approved by CAP · Launch Spring 2027

Accelerated pathway for GSU Computer Science undergraduates. Mirrors the BS-DS pathway structure with CS-specific course substitutions negotiated across the department curriculum.

GPA 3.5+ · Prerequisites: CSC 1301/L, CSC 1302, CSC 2720, MATH 3020 · Up to 12 double-counted credits

Full program details →

Shared Program Features

Feature	BS-DS → BDML	BS-CS → BDML
Launch	Fall 2026	Spring 2027
Double-counted credits	Up to 12 graduate credit hours (3 courses × 4 cr)
Time savings	~1 semester vs. sequential degrees (~5 vs. ~5.5 years)
Minimum GPA	3.5 overall at time of application
Application process	CAS Dual Degree Application + BDML Program Director approval
Graduate funding eligibility	GTA/GRA eligibility begins after undergraduate degree conferred
Approval pathway	Fully approved	Approved by CAP; institutional process ongoing

Program Development

Both pathways were developed as an extension of the BDML concentration's direct-admit strategy — a deliberate effort to build a sustainable graduate pipeline from GSU's own undergraduate population. The curriculum design required sustained negotiation across the Department of Computer Science and the broader CAS curriculum governance structure to identify and formally approve the course substitution frameworks underlying each pathway.

2019–2020 BDML concentration established · created the graduate program infrastructure that the dual degree pathways extend

2024–2025 Dual degree development initiated · chaired taskforces for both BS-DS → BDML and BS-CS → BDML pathways; conducted cross-departmental curriculum negotiations to establish 12-credit double-count frameworks

2025–2026 BS-DS → BDML approved and launched · completed full institutional approval process; program launched Fall 2026

2025–2026 BS-CS → BDML approved by CAP · approved by University Senate Committee on Academic Programs; institutional process ongoing; launch planned Spring 2027

BDML Program Overview
4+1 Dual Degree: BS-DS → BDML — full details, eligibility, course substitutions
4+1 Dual Degree: BS-CS → BDML — full details, eligibility, course substitutions
Already a GSU Undergraduate? — direct admit and course substitution pathways

Rafal Angryk, Ph.D.