Accelerated Dual Degree: BA/MA in Writing

Accelerated Dual Degree programs (formerly known as CADPs: Combined Advanced Degree Programs) combine a Rowan University undergraduate degree with a graduate-level degree. Students typically work on an accelerated track, and are also permitted to double-count up to 12 sh/credits toward both degrees, and pay the undergraduate rate for those 12 credits, saving students both time and money as they work toward their educational goals.

In their junior year, Rowan University undergraduates majoring in Writing Arts can apply to the Accelerated Dual Degree Program (informally known as the 4+1 program). This program will allow students to earn both the Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts degrees in five years total. 

The first step in knowing whether this program is right for you is to review the curriculum of the Master of Arts in Writing, including the array of courses offered and degree requirements. Additionally, the program guide shows required courses and electives.

Advantages of the Program

If you know that you want to obtain an MA in Writing at least by March in the spring semester of your junior year, and if you qualify, then there are two main advantages of this program:

• Time Saved: Students in the 4+1 program finish their masters a year earlier than students earning separate MA and BA degrees. The 4+1 program takes less time, because students have to take fewer classes. Instead of 150 credit hours to earn both a BA and an MA, students only have 138 credit hours total for both degrees.
• Financial Savings: Since students in the 4+1 program begin taking their graduate level classes in their senior year, they pay the undergraduate tuition rate, which is at least 37% less than the graduate tuition rate. In their +1 or fifth year, students pay the regular graduate tuition rate. Students also save money by taking 12 fewer credits overall.

ADD 4+1 Requirements

To apply and qualify for the 4+1 program, students must have a 3.5 GPA in the Writing Arts major (including both required courses and related electives) and a 3.0 GPA overall. They must also have completed:

• Introduction to Writing Arts (WA07200)
• 90 credits of coursework overall by the end of their junior year
• At least 3 courses offered by the department that are in the major
• At least 15 credits at Rowan University while matriculated in the BA in Writing Arts

Although Creative Writing I or Writing Children's Stories are not required for admission, you must complete one of these courses as a prerequisite for the graduate creative writing courses.

Application Process

Again, this is an ambitious program that only top students with strong organizational skills should attempt. If you meet the above-listed criteria, contact the Program Coordinator during your junior year to schedule an interview and program review. The Program Coordinator will provide you with an Application Form, and you will need to submit your application packet to the Writing Arts Department no later than March 15 of your junior year.

• The 4+1 Application Form (Program Coordinator will provide).
• Two letters of recommendation, with at least one from a Writing Arts professor (to be emailed directly from the recommender to the Program Coordinator).
• A writing sample of 8-10 pages that demonstrates writing ability in at least two genres of writing. Your sample may include: creative writing, journalism, nonfiction, composition studies, multimedia or multimodal composition, professional writing, or academic writing.
• A 500-1,000 word statement of purpose for attending the program, showing that you are familiar with the MA in Writing and have a clear direction and purpose.

This application packet must be submitted to the Program Coordinator via email. No action will be taken until the file is complete. Final admission decisions will be made by a committee from Writing Arts consisting of the Program Coordinator, Department Chair, and the Undergraduate Coordinator. Additional Writing Arts professors may also be consulted.

Progression through the 4+1 Program

Once you are admitted to the 4+1 program, the process for completing both degrees works like this:

• Writing Arts Majors complete their regular undergraduate course work through their junior year.
• In their senior year, students finish their undergraduate requirements while completing 12 hours of graduate course work, picking classes that can "replace" or double up undergraduate required classes. The Program Coordinator will advise you how best to do this. 
• In the spring of their senior year, students apply to graduate with their BA. Once the degree is conferred, students will complete paperwork to fully matriculate into the MA in Writing program as graduate students.
• During the +1 year, students complete the remaining 18 hours of their graduate work taking nine hours per semester.

Please note that the 4+1 program takes planning, organization, time management, as well as excellent writing skills. Students interested in the Accelerated Dual Degree program must meet with the Program Coordinator to develop a plan prior to applying.

Senior Privilege Instead of the 4+1 Program

If you are interested in the MA in Writing but the 4+1 doesn't work for you because of timing or the requirements, consider taking graduate classes using Senior Privilege, another way of having graduate courses apply for both undergraduate and graduate credit. If you qualify for senior privilege (with 90 earned credits, a GPA above 3.0, and completion of the Senior Privilege Registration Request Form) you can take up to two graduate classes. You don't have to be interested in the MA in Writing to use Senior Privilege, but if you do pursue a graduate degree, either at Rowan or elsewhere, you can apply to have these credits transferred in. Contact the Program Coordinator if this option interests you.