Blended and Joint Programs - Basic Requirements

All MS engineering degrees require 45 quarter units of study. In the case of the blended BS+MS and joint degree programs, some units are double-counted. This permits two degrees to be earned with fewer units that if the degrees are earned separately. The amount and nature of double-counting in the blended programs vary based on BS degree requirements, as summarized below:

Engineering Degree Program Units Saved by Linking Thesis/Senior Project Max. Units Saved by Double-Counting Other Classes
BS Aerospace 5 (optional) 4 (9 if doing senior project)
BS Biomedical 4 8
BS Civil/Environmental - 9
BS Computer Engineering 5 -
BS Computer Science 5 -
BS Electrical 6 -
BS General Engineering 4 8
BS Industrial/Manufacturing 5 8
BS Materials 5 9
BS Mechanical - 8
BS Software Engineering 5 -
MS/MCRP Technology Mgt. - 15
MS/MCRP Transportation 9 18

Most blended programs require you to complete a 9-unit design project or thesis. The two interdisciplinary joint programs also have project/thesis requirements. Project/thesis work is typically distributed over a minimum of two or three quarters of enrollment.
Picture of Holly Huynh
Holly
Huynh
Electrical Engineering
2007
“My path to Cal Poly is a little unusual. I was born in a refugee camp in Thailand.”

When I was two, we moved to Rosemead. Since I was so young, I don't remember the challenges my parents faced, but it was very tough. I've always been interested in electronics. I remember my father was trying to fix a microwave oven and I was amazed by all of the wires. Later in high school, I took an aptitude test and the result was 'electrical engineer.' That, lucky for me, sparked my interest in Cal Poly.