4+1 (B.A.+M.A.) Program

4+1 B.A./M.A. IN writing arts

(Also known as “the Accelerated Bachelor of Arts in Writing Arts/Master of Arts in Writing Dual Degree Program”—or “the BA/MA Program”).

The 4+1 program allows students to complete both a BA degree with a major in Writing Arts and a Master of Arts in Writing in five years instead of the usual six years or longer.

The first step in knowing whether this program is right for you is to visit the Writing Arts Department website for an introduction to the Curriculum of the Masters of Arts in Writing, which includes the array of courses offered and degree requirements).

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:

The first advantage is the 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.
The second advantage is cost. 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.

Progression through the 4+1 Program

Once you are in 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 Graduate Coordinator will advise you how best to do this.

Then, during the +1 year, which is the year after they are seniors, students complete the remaining 18 hours of their graduate work. (Nine hours a semester is considered a full time load and is required.)
Upon completion of the requirements for the program, you will be awarded your bachelors in Writing Arts and your Masters in Writing at the same time.

Additional details follow, but please note that the 4+1 program takes planning, organization, time management, as well as excellent writing skills. Students need to work with the Graduate Coordinator to plan a program of student that is most advantageous.

Requirements for application to the 4+1 :

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 (WA07.200)
60-75 credits of course work 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 B.A. in Writing Arts.

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

Note: This site is created and maintained by interns of the Department of Writing Arts. Information concerning the Internship course can be found here.
Intern's portfolios documenting their work can be accessed here.