Advising

Accelerated Degrees in the New College of Interdisciplinary Arts & Sciences

New College offers a number of accelerated degree programs, often referred to as 4+1 programs.  4+1 programs provide top undergraduate students in select undergraduate New College majors the flexibility to begin taking classes (up to twelve credit hours) toward their master's degree during their senior year.

The 4+1 accelerated degree program is available in the following New College graduate programs:

• Communication Studies, MA
• Interdisciplinary Studies, MA
• Social Justice & Human Rights, MA

Cost Savings:

• Accelerated 4+1 students pay undergraduate tuition for graduate courses taken during their senior year.
• Accelerated 4+1 students take fewer total credits between their bachelor's and master's program and pay for fewer cumulative credits to complete both programs.

Time Savings:

• Typically, Accelerated 4+1 students complete their master's program one semester earlier than full-time non-Accelerated 4+1 students.

*Cost and time savings vary based on each individual student's plan of study.

Request information on 4+1

Eligibility Requirements

• Student is enrolled in an eligible New College major.  To see what undergraduate majors are eligible for the 4+1 Accelerated Programs please review the graduate program page in Degree Search.

• Student has completed 75 credit hours toward a bachelor's degree.  Transfer work can count toward this 75 hours; however, one full semester of coursework at ASU must be included.

• GPA and Pre-requisites:

         Communication Studies:
         3.33 GPA in last 75 hours of undergraduate coursework
         Undergraduate methods completed (preferred)

         Interdisciplinary Studies:
         3.25 GPA in last 75 hours of undergraduate coursework

        Social Justice and Human Rights:
        3.00 GPA in last 75 hours of undergraduate coursework

Application Procedure

Step One: It is strongly recommended that any student considering the 4+1 program in the New
College investigate one or all of the following:

• Attend a New College Graduate Studies information session
• Schedule an appointment with a graduate faculty member or director to learn more
• Enroll in a course within the same discipline of your accelerated degree program of interest
• Visit the ASU Career Center to learn more about the benefits of graduate school and career outcomes

Step Two: Contact your undergraduate advisor to determine and confirm eligibility for program

Step Three: Begin the Preliminary Plan of Study (PPOS) - with your undergraduate advisor

• This document will be required during the application process

Step Four: Meet with the graduate advisor to complete the PPOS

Step Five: Apply to the master's program. Accelerated 4+1 applicants must submit an online
application to ASU Graduate Admissions including all requirements outlined by ASU Degree
Search. The GRE is not required for any 4+1 applicants.

• Indicate your 4+1 status in the Specialization section as "Yes"
• Upload the initialed and dated PPOS
• New College Accelerated Degree Student Guide [PDF]

Admitted Students 

Students will be considered undergraduates until all bachelor's program requirements have been completed. In consultation with the faculty advisor, the student will develop an integrated plan of study (iPOS) leading to the dual degrees. After being admitted to the 4+1 program, a student must be registered for a minimum of one shared course during each remaining undergraduate semester. It is important for all students to acquaint themselves with all regulations, to be informed throughout their college careers, and to be responsible for completing all requirements.