Accelerate your education

5 years, 2 degrees

Several programs in CCPA give you a chance to earn two degrees in five years.  You take undergraduate coursework for your first three years.  Your coursework taken in your fourth year allows you to get a head start on your master's degree. In your fifth year, you take all graduate-level classes and complete your master's degree.

What students say about accelerated degrees

Kack Collins

Jack Collins

Undergraduate major: Biological Sciences
Graduate major: Public Health

Q: How does the 4+1 accelerated degree program help you prepare for this career path?

A: There are so many branches within the field of public health in which I am interested, which gives me great faith I will find a career I love. The accelerated program also allows me to join the workforce earlier than I anticipated, eager to contribute to easing the burden of disease around the world.

caroline-sandleitner

Caroline Sandleitner

Undergraduate major: History and Philosophy, Politics and Law with a minor in Human Rights
Graduate major: Public Administration, certificate in Genocide and Mass Atrocity Prevention

Q: What advice do you have for students unsure about 4+1 accelerated degree programs?

A: Step outside your comfort zone and try things you've never done before. If you find a topic interesting, talk to your faculty advisor about it and ask them how you can get more involved in a certain area of study. The 4+1 program is flexible and will allow you to discover new interests, while also developing your professional skills for the "real world."

leah tompkins

Leah Tompkins

Undergraduate major: Human Development, Education Minor
Graduate major: Higher Education and Student Affairs

Q: What attracted you to take advantage of the 4+1 accelerated programs?

A: I loved my time at 91ÉçÇø as an undergrad and I was happy to have an opportunity to stay an extra year. Beginning graduate classes my senior year of undergrad was also a plus, as I got the experience of being "new" without having to completely start over somewhere. I also heard great things about the program and faculty, and the transition between undergraduate and graduate was made easy because of the support I received.

What are the program benefits?

  • Save time: Earn master’s degree in one year instead of two.
  • Save money: Pay graduate tuition for only one year.
  • Take advantage of the value: 91ÉçÇø offers an Ivy-caliber education at a state university tuition.
  • Strengthen marketability: Graduate degrees hone job-related skills in communications, research methods, data analysis, teamwork and big-picture thinking — skills sought out by employers worldwide.
  • Increase earning potential: Salaries for people holding master’s degrees are on average $10,000 higher than for those with bachelor’s degrees.

Even if you're a first-year or second-year student, it's never too soon to start thinking about pursuing a 4+1 degree. Fill out this brief form and we will be in touch.

 

When should I apply?

For all options except social work, you must inquire about pre-admission to a 4+1 program by junior year so you can enroll in master's classes your senior year. If you are pursuing your BSW, you can apply to the one-year program in your senior year.

What program is right for me?

For: Choose a program Eligible undergraduate majors Contact  
Careers in local government, public policy or community-based nonprofits. Master of Public Administration

Any Harpur BA (excluding fine arts); BS in Human Development

Brianna King Richetti

  
Working to address issues such as health promotion, disease prevention, population health and public health research practice.

Harpur + Master of Public Health (MPH)

 Any Harpur BA, BS or BFA Regina Alfieri-Squier  

Working in higher-education in any number of student-
support areas, including residential life, admissions, advising, financial aid and
multicultural affairs. 

 Master of Science in Higher Education and Student Affairs (MS SAA)

Any Harpur BA (excluding fine arts); BS in Human Development

Regina Alfieri-Squier

  
Careers in teaching, learning, and educational leadership (TLEL)

BS in Human Development

Regina Alfieri-Squier

  
TLEL (cont.) Master of Arts in TESOL

BS in Human Development; Any Harpur major (except some fine arts majors)

Regina Alfieri-Squier

  
TLEL (cont.)

BA in compatible MAT fields

Regina Alfieri-Squier

  
TLEL (cont.)

BA/BS in Mathematics;
BA/BS in Data Science and
Statistics; BS in Actuarial Science

Regina Alfieri-Squier

  
TLEL (cont.)

BA in History

Regina Alfieri-Squier

  
TLEL (cont.)

BA in English

Regina Alfieri-Squier

  
TLEL (cont.)

BA in Spanish

Regina Alfieri-Squier

  
Working to set priorities and making policy for a world with a healthy environment, where people enjoy safe housing, uncontaminated food and accessible public service. Master in Sustainable Communities (MA or MS)

Any Harpur BA (excluding fine arts); BS or BA in Environmental Studies

Regina Alfieri-Squier

  
Working in an array of human rights fields ranging from international advocacy to local community organizing. Master of Human Rights BA in English; Environmental Studies; French; History; Human Development; Italian; Latin American and Caribbean Area Studies; Philosophy, Politics and Law; or Spanish Suzy Lee  
Careers promoting a social justice, person-in-environment perspective so that individuals, families, group, organizations and communities can thrive. Advanced Standing Master of Social Work (earn an MSW with 1 additional year of study instead of 2) Undergraduates who have earned their BSW within the past 7 years. John Vassello