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The Reed College of Media and College of Creative Arts will merge to form the new WVU College of Creative Arts and Media as of July 1, 2024. Get details.

Accelerated Degree Paths

If your intended path leads to graduate school, get a head start with an accelerated program. The College of Media offers three different options for earning your bachelor's degree in conjunction with either a master's or Juris Doctorate in less time than traditional degree programs.

Ask Your Advisor

ACCELERATED PROGRAMS

IMC student working at laptop

B.S. + M.S. IMC

This 4+1 program allows you to earn a B.S. in Journalism or Advertising and Public Relations from with an M.S. in Integrated Marketing Communications in five years.

More on the IMC 4+1
Journalist on the Street

B.S. + M.S. Journalism

This 4+1 program allows you to earn a B.S. in Journalism or Advertising and Public Relations with an M.S. in Journalism in five years.

More on the MSJ 4+1
Law students

B.S. + J.D.

This 3+3 program allows you to earn a B.S. in Journalism or Advertising and Public Relations with a Juris Doctorate law degree in six years.

More on the JD 3+3

How does it work?

Students begin coursework in the M.S. or J.D. program in what would be their senior year while completing undergraduate coursework at WVU. In order to do this, you must declare your major by the fall semester of your sophomore year. You must also complete a minimum of 90 credits in your baccalaureate (undergraduate) program by the end of your Junior year (including required general education and major courses).

There are also GPA requirements, graduate application deadlines and test requirements specific to each program. View the respective program pages for details. You will earn both your B.S. and M.S. or J.D. degrees at the conclusion of the graduate program.

Students who are dismissed (e.g. for poor grades), or who choose to withdraw, during the first calendar year of graduate coursework, may apply all or some of their successfully completed coursework toward their bachelor's degree. If you have completed all of the BSJ requirements, you can apply to be awarded the BSJ in any semester per the Registrar’s guidelines.

Talk to Your Advisor

As a WVU Reed College of Media undergraduate student, the first step is to discuss your interest in a 4+1 with your advisor. For advising information, visit mediacollege.wvu.edu/advising.