• 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.

• Students will submit their application while completing their regular undergraduate course work during their junior year.
• Students will learn of their acceptance to the program by the beginning of Fall registration (usually late March)
• 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 program as graduate students.
• During the +1 year, students complete the remaining 18 hours of their graduate work taking nine hours per semester.

• Introduction to Media Aesthetics (RTF 03.270)
• 90 credits of coursework overall by the end of their junior year
• At least 3 courses offered by the RTF department that are in the major
• At least 15 credits at Rowan University while matriculated in the BA in RTF

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 time to review and discuss the program. The Program Coordinator will provide you with an Application Form, and you will need to submit your application packet to the RTF Department no later than March 15 of your junior year.

Application Packet will include:

• The 4+1 Application Form (Program Coordinator will provide).
• Two letters of recommendation, with at least one from an RTF professor (to be emailed directly from the recommender to the Program Coordinator).
• A writing sample of at least 5 and no more than 25 pages that demonstrates your ability to present clear and reasoned analytical thinking.
• A 500–1,000 word statement of purpose for attending the program, showing that you are familiar with the MA and would benefit from its program of study.

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 consisting of the Program Coordinator and members of the MA program faculty and RTF chairs team. 

If you are interested in the MA 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 courses. You do not have to be interested in the MA 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 to an outside graduate program. Contact the Program Coordinator if this option interests you.