4+1 Programs

Get Admitted to a Master's Program When Applying for College

You may think that it's too early to start thinking about a master's degree during your senior year in high school. After all, you will have four years of college to decide what to do after commencement.

But what if you could get admitted to your master's program of choice before you even enter college? For highly qualified college applicants, it's possible through our 4+1 programs.

Within these programs, you can gain admission for a related master's degree at IUP that will accelerate your studies and allow you to increase your qualifications for a future career. Basically, you can start taking master's-level courses in your senior undergraduate year.

Why Enroll in a 4+1 Program?

You've got big goals for your future, and this will help get you there sooner—and save you money. Most undergraduate degrees take four years to complete, and most master's degrees take two years to complete. In a 4+1 program, you're on a path to complete both degrees in just five years.

You won't just save time, you'll save on tuition, too. In addition to a quicker finish, you'll be able to take some of your master's coursework billed as an undergraduate, which adds up to approximately $6,100* in savings.

As part of the 4+1 program, you'll also save your spot in the master's program as a freshman. If you maintain your minimum requirements, you'll transition seamlessly from an undergraduate to a graduate student.

Don't just take our word for it

  • Professionals with a master's degree earn $12,000 more per year, on average, than those with only bachelor's degree, according to the Council of Graduate Schools.
  • The unemployment rate drops 3.4 percent for professionals with a master's degree, as reported by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.
  • Employment in occupations that typically require a master's degree is projected to increase 22 percent by 2020 according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.

*based on 2018-19 tuition rates

Participating 4+1 Programs


Criminology and Criminal Justice, Master of Arts

BA in Criminology
BA in Criminology Pre-Law


English, Master of Arts

BSEd in English Education
BA in English, Literature Culture Track
BA in English, Pre-Law
BA in English, Writing Studies Track


Health Services Administration, MS

Public Health, BS


Literacy/Reading Specialist, Master of Education

BSEd in Early Childhood Education
BSEd in Special Education


Mathematics Education /Secondary Track, Master of Education

BSEd in Mathematics Education


Applied Mathematics, Master of Science

BS in Mathematics
BS in Mathematics/Actuarial Track
BS in Mathematics/Applied Track


Master of Business Administration

BS in Accounting
BS in Finance
BS in Human Resource Management
BS in International Business
BS in Management Information Systems/Information Systems
BS in Management Information Systems/Information Technology
BS in Management, Entrepreneurship and Small Business
BS in Management, General
BS in Management/Energy Management
BS in Management/Supply Chain Management
BS in Marketing
Exploratory Business


Safety Sciences, Master of Science

Safety, Health, and Environmental Applied Sciences, BS


Sport Science (three tracks: Sport Studies, Sport Management, or Exercise Science), Master of Science

BSEd in Health and Physical Education / Community Health Education
BSEd in Health and Physical Education / K-12 Teacher Education
BS in Kinesiology, Health, and Sport Science / Exercise Science
BS in Kinesiology, Health, and Sport Science / Sport Administration