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Saving Time and Money on Your Master’s Degree with a 4+1 Program

Quick Highlights:

  • Accelerated 4+1 programs combine bachelor’s and master’s degrees to save time and money on education.
  • Completing both degrees in five years reduces tuition costs and speeds up career entry.
  • Students also save on associated college costs such as student service fees, technology fees, and other institutional costs that can add up over time.
  • Programs require high academic performance since students will take graduate courses during undergraduate studies.

Table of contents

While going to graduate school is an exciting decision, it can quickly become expensive. If you know that you want to get an advanced degree after your bachelor’s, you can save money on master’s degree programs by enrolling in 4+1 degree programs.

These accelerated master’s programs essentially involve pursuing combined bachelor’s and master’s degrees. You incorporate some of your graduate courses into your bachelor’s degree, so your master’s degree is largely completed by the time you finish your bachelor’s program. By enrolling in fast-track graduate programs, you can save a significant amount of time and money on going to college.  

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What are 4+1 Programs?

The basic concept behind 4+1 degree programs is fairly simple. Instead of completing a bachelor’s degree before you start your master’s degree, you pursue combined bachelor’s and master’s degrees. 

Normally, schools design these fast-track graduate programs so that your final year in your bachelor’s degree includes graduate degree classes. By doing this, you can save money on master’s degree programs and reduce the amount of time you have to spend in college. 

Because taking graduate classes during a bachelor’s degree can be challenging, you may need to qualify to take part in the program. For example, many schools require students to get a certain GPA to remain in accelerated BA/MA programs. 

Benefits of 4+1 Programs

If you want to save time and money on school, it is important to learn about the benefits of 4+1 programs. Most master’s degrees take two or three years to complete, so you could end up saving a significant amount of time and money by enrolling in 5-year combined degree programs. 

Time Savings 

With accelerated master’s programs, you will generally spend a single year pursuing your master’s degree. Many of the courses are taken during your bachelor’s degree, so you only have to complete a few classes to graduate. Typically, 4+1 degree programs only take five years to complete. 

Plus, these programs will still give you a bachelor’s degree after four years. If something happens that stops you from attending the fifth year of school, you will at least have a bachelor’s degree to show for all of your hard work.

Cost Savings 

The average cost of a master’s degree is $59,684 in the United States according to the Education Data Initiative. By enrolling in cost-effective master’s degrees, you can reduce this expense significantly. One of the top financial benefits of combined degrees is that it reduces the amount you are in school by one to two years. This means you can easily reduce your tuition costs by $10,000 to $40,000. 

Career Advancement 

Another one of the benefits of 4+1 programs is that you will be able to advance your career earlier. There is an opportunity cost involved in going to school for additional years. Other than the direct cost of tuition, an extra year of school means you are losing out on the salary you would earn. 

Additionally, you are basically reducing your career length by one to two years. Because you are working less, you will naturally have fewer career advancement opportunities during the duration of your career. By learning how to earn your master’s faster, you can start earning a salary and advancing in your career right away. 

Considerations When Choosing a 4+1 Program

While you can enjoy 4+1 program savings at any school, it’s important to pick the right university. You have specific career goals in mind, so you need to find 4+1 university programs that have the right coursework, faculty members, and opportunities. Before you pick dual degree programs, make sure to consider the following factors. 

Program Quality and Accreditation 

The most important factor when looking at accelerated education options is accreditation. If the school isn’t accredited, the degree isn’t worth the money you are going to spend on it. In addition, the type of accreditation matters. Regionally accredited schools are considered of higher quality than nationally accredited schools. 

Additionally, you need to find a program that is well-regarded in your field. Your future employers will likely be familiar with the best schools in your industry, so you need to find time-saving degrees that have a solid reputation.

Eligibility and Requirements 

Another important thing to consider about fast-track graduate programs is your own eligibility. Many programs have prerequisites you must complete before you can be officially accepted into the program. In addition to taking the prerequisites, you also have to get high enough grades to qualify. 

Once you are accepted into the accelerated degree program, you have to continue taking the appropriate courses. After the program gives you a bachelor’s degree, you will still need to meet its eligibility requirements to transition into the graduate degree program. Because these requirements vary from school to school, it’s important to research them before you start going to 5-year combined degree programs.   

How to Apply for 4+1 Programs

If you’ve decided to take the quick path to a master’s degree, you’re ready to get started on the application process. Because you may need to go through a few extra steps to enroll in 4+1 degree programs, it is a good idea to begin this process early. 

First, you need to determine which 4+1 university programs you want to apply to. Each school has different application requirements, so you need to find out what the application requirements are before you get started. 

Next, you should fill out the college application. Make sure that there aren’t any typos in your application because you want to seem as professional as possible. If there are additional application materials for the fast-track graduate programs, you should work on filling them out now. 

Most programs require references from your current teachers or employers. If you have a specific recommendation from the college, print multiple copies. Then, go to your favorite teachers and ask if they will provide you with a reference. You want to do this step as early as possible so that they have plenty of time to return the reference to the school.

Finally, you should spend some time completing your admissions essay. You should tailor your essay to the specific school and degree program. Afterward, use an online spell-checking program to look for grammar issues before carefully proofreading it. If everything looks correct, you can submit your essays and application to the university. 

Potential Drawbacks

If you want to save money on master’s degree programs, getting combined bachelor’s and master’s degrees is generally a good choice. However, this option isn’t for everyone. When you take a quick path to a master’s degree, you will typically have to take more classes to complete both programs in just five years. Because of this, it can be challenging for students to finish all of their academic requirements and still get good grades. 

Other than a challenging workload, you may also dislike the course flexibility. Normally, you can choose a lot of electives during your college degree and explore different topics. Because many of these electives are devoted to graduate classes, you won’t have a lot of flexibility in selecting your coursework. 

Comparing 4+1 Programs to Traditional Pathways

While there are many advantages to choosing combined bachelor’s and master’s degrees, there are also a few drawbacks. When considering this type of program, it is important to compare it to a traditional pathway. For some students, it is worth spending an extra year or two in school to slow down the curriculum and get more flexibility. 

When you choose fast-track graduate programs, you are able to complete your degree faster and spend less on school. You also have to take graduate courses during your bachelor’s degree, which can be challenging for students. If you aren’t accustomed to academically rigorous programs, this adjustment can be difficult. 

Additionally, accelerated education options involve fewer customization choices and less scheduling flexibility. You have to take specific courses at set times in your degree program. Otherwise, you won’t be able to complete both of your degrees in just five years. 

However, finishing a degree early means you can immediately start your career. This means you will be ready for a promotion and a higher salary earlier with accelerated master’s programs. Because you spend less time in school, you can also save money on master’s degree programs. 

Find out More Information About Accelerated Degree Programs 

While 4+1 degree programs aren’t for everyone, they can potentially help you save money on master’s degree costs. However, you have to meet certain eligibility requirements to take part in a combined bachelor’s and master’s degree. If you don’t complete the prerequisites with a high enough grade level, you may not be allowed to remain in the program. 

Because of this, it is important to consider your personal and career goals carefully before you enroll in fast-track graduate programs. While there are many advantages to accelerated master’s programs, these degrees can be academically rigorous. If you do enroll in a 4+1 program, you can enjoy having lower tuition costs and a much faster degree process than you would in a typical program.