Communications Dual-Degree Bachelor’s/Master’s (4+1)

Dual-Degree

On Campus

Our Dual-Degree Bachelor’s/Master’s (4+1) program gives driven students a major professional advantage, enabling them to earn both a bachelor’s degree in 4 years and a master’s in cinematic production management, interactive media, journalism, public relations or sports journalism in just 1 additional year.

Two communications students collaborate on coursework sitting next to one another with their laptops

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Double your career opportunities

Rigorous, interdisciplinary and experiential, our 4+1 programs are available to outstanding students of all majors who want to earn their bachelor’s and master’s degree in just 5 years. Combining a BA or BS with a graduate degree from the School of Communications gives you the complementary skills, diverse experiences and level of education necessary for long-term career success.

A hallmark of 4+1 dual-degree programs is a seamless transition from undergraduate to graduate study, which maximizes your time and money saved. If you are accepted in your junior year, you’ll earn up to 6 graduate-level credits during your senior year that count toward both degrees, and you can automatically transition to the graduate program of your choice after commencement.

Career development is emphasized throughout our 4+1 programs. As a dual-degree student, you’ll be able to participate in the same networking events, job fairs and internships available to traditional students. Dedicated faculty, including a 4+1 program director, are available to assist you with course selection, internship placement and your job search.

Benefits of the Dual-Degree (4+1) Program

In today’s competitive market, a graduate degree is often expected and can be the key to your success. Our innovative dual-degree programs give you a clear path to achieving your goals.

As a dual-degree student, you’ll enjoy:

Seamless plan of study: Our dual-degree programs enable you to streamline the completion of both your undergraduate and graduate studies — building relationships with classmates and professors in the supportive and enriching environment that you have come to know.
Save time and money: Certain courses count toward both undergraduate and graduate requirements — allowing you to graduate earlier and spend less money.
Simplified application process: When you maintain good academic standing in the program, you are seamlessly enrolled into the graduate program of study — eliminating the need to find another graduate program, take additional tests for admission or complete a separate admission process.
Career development: Dual-degree students gain access to special career-focused programming — including global networking and internship opportunities, recruitment events, career fairs and other experiential opportunities.
Personalized advising: Students are assigned a dedicated adviser who will help with course selection, assist with internship placements and prepare you for interviews — strengthening your resume before graduation.
Career readiness: Dual-degree students enter the workforce with an advance degree in hand — increasing your potential starting salary and setting you apart from other recent graduates who did not earn a master’s.

The dual-degree program emphasizes the skills employers value — leadership, critical thinking and creative problem-solving. They also reflect our commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration, experiential learning and career development.

Personalize Your Plan of Study

Students in the dual-degree program can select any undergraduate program throughout the university to combine with a master’s degree. It does not only apply to the School of Communications. Additional details on the School of Communications programs can be found at the links below:

Undergraduate majors

Advertising and Integrated Communications

Communications/Media Studies

Film, Television and Media Arts

Graphic and Interactive Design

Journalism

Public Relations

Graduate programs

Cinematic Production Management

Journalism

Public Relations

Sports Journalism

Interactive Media and Communications (online)

Information Sessions for Quinnipiac Juniors

The Graduate Admissions Office partners with Graduate Program Directors to host program-specific virtual information sessions designed for current Quinnipiac juniors.

With dual-degree options in the College of Arts & Sciences as well as the Schools of Business, Communications, Computing & Engineering and Health Sciences, there are plentiful opportunities for current students to add a graduate degree to their current program of study, strengthen their resumes and gain advanced skills and knowledge before entering the workforce.

By the Numbers

95.4% Success Rate

Percentage of 2023 graduating seniors from the School of Communications who have jobs, are continuing their education or are starting their own companies within 6 months of graduation

+46K New Jobs

Over 46,200 new communications jobs expected to be added through 2029 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).

180 Internship Locations

The number of locations where communications students interned across the country during the 2019-20 academic year.

The Ed McMahon Communications Center

The Ed McMahon Communications Center is a first-rate production facility equipped with industry standard technology for hands-on training in all aspects of television, film, journalism and multimedia production. Highlights of the center include a three-camera HDTV studio, a professional-quality audio production studio and several 4K (ultra-high-definition) editing suites.

The Media Innovation Classroom and Lab not only supports courses in broadcast, print and interactive journalism, but also simulates a live newsroom setting. In this lab, students are able to work collaboratively to produce their own professional newscasts. They have access to both the Associated Press news wire service and the CNN Newsource service, as well as the same newsroom automation software currently used by both CBS and ESPN.

An extensive equipment loan room makes high-end video and audio recording equipment available for use in the field. All of our students have access to the caliber of equipment that matches or even surpasses what they’ll later work with as industry professionals. Even in your first year, you'll have immediate access to equipment and facilities, unlike at many other universities where you might be required to wait until your second or third year. This enables you to jump-start your learning and makes you more attractive for competitive internship opportunities.

Students collaborate in the McMahon Center control room. — Our communications center houses a fully functional studio where you can write, produce and direct your own productions.

Hand turning up audio in the McMahon Center control room. — We have a full complement of audio equipment and lighting gear to create your individual or group projects.

Students collaborating on a project in the McMahon Center lab. — Our fully-functional television studio includes a 4K editing suite with more than 90 media workstations.

Student controls a camera in the McMahon Center production room. — You’ll work on the latest industry standard software and equipment for design, film, sound and more.

Two cameras in the McMahon Center production room. — Tell your story with cinematic detail using our professional-grade 4K video cameras.

4K Hitachi camera in the McMahon Center production room. — Our technology is up to date with the latest industry standards to help you jump-start your learning and gain experience with professional equipment.

Partner with real clients at The Agency

Interested in pursuing a career in advertising, marketing, public relations or graphic and interactive design? Build your portfolio and sharpen your skills as you work with real clients at The Agency — our award-winning and student-run interdisciplinary firm.

Within The Agency, students assume roles that prepare them to step in and succeed in professional environments. Some students will serve as dedicated account executives, mastering the art of professional communication as they manage client relationships, set project deadlines, identify key deliverables and share external feedback with their colleagues. Others will work as functional subject matter experts, taking the lead as vice presidents in copy, design, social media or video to deliver the materials and strategies that address the holistic communications needs of their client portfolio.

Offered as a 400-level elective, The Agency epitomizes learning by doing. Under the guidance of our esteemed faculty — many of whom are experienced communications professionals outside of academia — The Agency has successfully funneled student creativity and passion into projects spanning website and app design, social media, print collateral and promotional materials, market research and data analysis, media relations and community engagement and strategic planning and branding.

Student-run Agency earns industry awards

Students collaborating during a meeting for The Agency in the School of Communications. — Students at The Agency work to finalize a new internal logo.

Governor Ned Lamont with student members of The Agency at CT Innovation. — The Agency meets with a new client, Ellis Brooklyn, at the CT Innovations office in New Haven. Agency members had the chance to meet briefly with Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont, who is working to bring more innovative, growing companies to the state.

In Their Words

Zara Zeigerman ’21, MBA ’22

BA in Advertising and Integrated Communications/MBA

“The 4+1 program is an amazing opportunity to differentiate myself amongst my peers and advance my career by learning specialized skills in an expedited timeframe. Furthermore, it is providing me with the ability to apply the integrated communications knowledge gained throughout my undergraduate experience to a business setting.”

Brandon Seibert ’18, MBA ’19

BA in Public Relations/MBA

”The 4+1 program at Quinnipiac has opened so many doors for me both personally and professionally. The depth of knowledge of the professors and the quality of the education set me up for success starting from day one.”