Accelerated Master’s Degrees
The Cronkite School’s Accelerated Master’s Program (formerly referred to as 4+1 programs) allows high-performing undergraduate students to earn a master’s degree in just two semesters. Students begin taking graduate courses while they are still undergrads, and they can count up to 12 credits toward both undergraduate and graduate degrees. Students can complete both degrees in four years (for students completing the bachelor’s degree in three years) or five years (for students completing the bachelor’s degree in four years).
Streamline your educational journey, save time and expense, and supercharge your career growth with the Cronkite accelerated master’s program.
Available accelerated pathways
Options for Journalism and Mass Communication, BA students
Students in this program can complete:
Option for Sports Journalism, BA
students
Students in this program can complete:
Program requirements
Students must have at least a 3.25 GPA in the BA-Sports Journalism program or the BA-Journalism and Mass Communication program.
Benefits of an Accelerated Master’s Program
By beginning graduate coursework while they are still completing an undergraduate degree, students can complete a master’s degree in two semesters rather than the typical three. This saves the cost of one semester and the stress of applying for graduate programs after leaving the Cronkite School.
Accelerated master’s students come to the program with a range of goals, including:
- Building or deepening skills in a particular area
- Expanding professional portfolios to accelerate their career trajectory
- Launching a product, business or project with the support and mentorship of Cronkite faculty
- Taking courses they just couldn’t fit into their undergraduate experience
- Setting themselves apart from other candidates in the job market
- Preparing for a teaching role
The ability to graduate with a master’s degree in just five years was both personal and financial benefit to my long term career goals. I feel more prepared and supported because of my experience within the accelerated master’s program.
Accelerate your career trajectory
Deepen your skills, grow your portfolio, develop leadership experience and launch special projects to set yourself apart in the job market. Take advantage of the Cronkite School’s master’s mentorship program to supercharge your professional network and career trajectory.
Faculty you know and trust
The accelerated master’s program gives students more time for mentorship and immersive learning with faculty they know and trust.
Program details
- The program consists of 144 credits, and students complete their 120-credit bachelor’s degree prior to entering the graduate program. Only admitted Journalism and Mass Communication or Sports Journalism major students may be accepted into the Cronkite School Accelerated Master’s Program.
- The Master’s degree requires a total of 36 credit hours of graduate-level coursework, 12 of which are shared with the B.A. degree. At least six of these shared credits must be at the 500-level or above, and a maximum of six can be at the 400-level. The remaining 24 credits must be at least 500-level.
- Students pay undergraduate tuition for the first 120 credits, which apply to their bachelor’s degrees. Students become eligible for assistantships and other forms of graduate financial aid once they complete their bachelor’s degrees, begin the master’s phase of the program and are assessed graduate tuition. Undergraduate scholarships should continue to apply to tuition through 8 semesters even if the student is able to complete the BA and start the one year graduate program in less than 8 semesters. Students should consult with the office of financial aid to discuss their unique situation.
- Students may submit a Declaration of Intent as soon as they decide to pursue this program. Students must apply to the Graduate College during the semester they begin taking courses that are to be shared between the bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Student accepted for admission to the accelerated program must submit a formal online application to the Graduate College but are not required to take the Graduate Record Exam or submit additional application materials.
Getting started
First-year students
Students should begin to discuss the accelerated program with their adviser in their first year at the Cronkite School to ensure they are on track to complete required courses on time. Students apply to the Graduate College at the beginning of their last undergraduate year, when they begin taking courses that are to be shared between the bachelor’s and master’s degrees.
Non first-year students
Students can still be on track to complete the accelerated program. It is highly encouraged to meet with their advisor as soon as possible to ensure they are on track to complete required courses on time. Students will still apply to the Graduate College.
Next steps
Let your adviser know you are interested in the program or reach out to Advising Coordinator Brad Longwell (brad.longwell@asu.edu). The advising team can talk through specific requirements of each degree program, the expedited graduate admissions process and other considerations. You will complete a Declaration of Intent to enter the accelerated master’s program, and you will begin meeting with your adviser each semester to make sure you are on track to complete the requirements on time.
I’m excited to be a Cronkite graduate with both my bachelor and master degrees under my belt in the time it would take to get one. I know I saved money, time and energy in participating in the Cronkite accelerated program.