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
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
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
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 ßÙßÇÂþ» 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: ßÙßÇÂþ» 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.
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 |
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| Working to address issues such as health promotion, disease prevention, population health and public health research practice. | Any Harpur BA, BS or BFA | Regina Alfieri-Squier | ||
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Working in higher-education in any number of student- |
Master of Science in Higher Education and Student Affairs (MS SAA) |
Any Harpur BA (excluding fine arts) BS in Human Development |
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| Careers in teaching, learning, and educational leadership (TLEL) |
BS in Human Development |
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| TLEL (cont.) | Master of Arts in TESOL |
Any Harpur major (except some fine arts majors) |
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| TLEL (cont.) |
BA in compatible MAT fields |
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| 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 |
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| 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 |