Accelerated Master's 4+1/4+2
Combined Bachelor's + Master's Degrees
Niagara University’s accelerated 4+1/4+2 master’s degree programs allow undergraduate students to take graduate-level courses that count toward both their bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Students can begin taking graduate coursework before officially starting a graduate degree. Students may pursue a graduate degree that differs from their undergraduate major. The minimum requirement for most of the accelerated programs is a 3.0 GPA.
This program allows any student at Niagara University to earn graduate credits toward a Master of Arts degree in interdisciplinary studies. Students in all majors at NU may apply for this program and, if qualified, may take graduate courses in the senior year, which allows them to complete the master’s program in one year. Students may take up to three graduate courses as a senior; at least one course offered by MAIS and up to two additional graduate courses from any program at NU. Students who successfully complete nine graduate credits in their senior year will have 24 credits (eight courses) remaining to complete their MAIS degree in one year. MAIS enables all NU students to pursue a flexible curriculum to fulfill their career and/or academic interests.
These courses may count towards free or advised electives on the student’s curriculum, depending on the student’s major, in consultation with the student’s undergraduate advisor.
This 4+2 program is for undergraduate psychology majors interested in pursuing their Master of Science degree in clinical mental health counseling (CMHC). This program allows students to complete their first year of the CMHC graduate program in their senior year of undergraduate study. Graduate counseling courses count both as credits toward the baccalaureate and master’s degree.
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, CMHC is one of the fastest-growing professions in the United States. Alumni of Niagara’s program are employed at a rate exceeding 90%. Examples of employment include programs such as family service, school-based intervention, alcohol and drugs, criminal justice correctional, hospitals and residential, employee assistance, crisis intervention, vocational and career development, private practices, and colleges and universities.
The Master of Science degree in CMHC is designed for persons seeking employment in an agency counseling setting. The 60-credit-hour program qualifies students for New York State Licensure – Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC). Individuals can also seek licensure in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, and Washington, D.C., and is ideal for those seeking employment in an agency counseling setting.
A master’s degree in criminal justice can prepare students for employment in law enforcement (local, state, and federal), social services, the banking industry, private security, and social research. It can also enhance students’ future applications to law school or doctorate programs. Interested students can work with faculty members on research projects and be eligible for substantial graduate scholarships.
The 4+1 master’s program in criminal justice allows eligible students to attain their master’s degree in five years (four years for a bachelor’s & one year to finish the master’s degree). Students typically begin taking graduate courses during their senior year, starting with one course during the fall semester and two courses during the spring semester. (We also allow students to take all three graduate courses during the second semester of their senior year if needed). These three courses count for both undergraduate and graduate credit. Students then graduate as an undergrad with nine credits counting toward graduate school. Students take the remaining 24 credits during their fifth year to earn a master’s degree. If you decide you don’t want to do the fifth year, those nine graduate credits still count as graduate credits.
Enrolling in the 4+1 program provides the opportunity for undergraduate students to complete a Master of Science in finance (MSF) in as little as one year. The degree focuses on an advanced study of corporate finance, investments and accounting.
Eligible students can take two graduate courses in their senior year; one in the fall and one in the spring semester. Upon completion of these two courses, students will have eight courses remaining in the MSF degree.
While completing the MSF program, students choose a concentration in one of the following areas: certified public accounting, certified financial planner, or financial risk management. This enables students to advance on their academic knowledge while properly preparing for their career path.
Courses for this program are offered in several delivery modes such as in-person, Saturdays, hybrid, or online. In order to enroll in the 4+1 program, students must have the appropriate prerequisites and complete the admissions process.
The Master of Science degree in information security and digital forensics (ISDF) is designed to give students and professionals the knowledge necessary for the Certified Information Systems Security Management Professional (CISSP) certification.
This 4+1 program is designed for undergraduate students interested in pursuing a Master of Science in ISDF. Students have the opportunity to complete a master’s degree in as little as one year after they have received their undergraduate degree. The program is structured so that students can take three graduate courses to fulfill three requirements for their undergraduate degree in computer & information sciences and can then apply these courses toward their graduate degree in information security and digital forensics.
This 4+1 program is designed for undergraduate education majors interested in pursuing a master’s degree in literacy instruction. Students are able to complete the first year of the Literacy Instruction program during their senior year of undergraduate study. Graduate education courses are applied as credits toward both the baccalaureate and master’s degree.
Niagara University’s master’s degree program in literacy instruction includes the most current theory and practice in literacy education and is designed to develop highly qualified literacy educators who can guide K-12 students to excellence in literacy. Students may concentrate their studies on either childhood (B-6) or adolescent (5-12) literacy development through their selection of certification tracks and elective courses. Graduates will be qualified for New York state certification as reading specialists. This program also prepares initially certified teachers for professional certification in New York state.
Enrolling in the 4+1 program provides the opportunity for undergraduate students to complete a Masters of Business Administration (MBA) degree in as little as one year. Our MBA focuses on advancing your skills within a broad area of business to develop transferable skills across all industries and professions. Eligible students can take two graduate courses in their senior year; one in the fall and one in the spring semester. Upon completion of these two courses, you will have nine courses remaining in the MBA degree.
Students in the program have an option to concentrate in one of several areas of business, such as marketing, management, or supply chain management. Courses for this program are offered in several delivery modes, such as in-person, Saturdays, hybrid, or fully online. In order to enroll in the 4+1 program, students must have the appropriate prerequisites and complete the admissions process.
This 4+2 program is for undergraduate students interested in pursuing their M.S.Ed. in school counseling who are enrolled in one of the following majors: education, psychology, sociology, criminal justice, or social work. This program allows students to complete a portion of their graduate coursework during their senior year of undergraduate study. Graduate counseling courses are eligible to satisfy both baccalaureate and master’s degree program requirements.
The mission of the NU school counseling program is to develop skilled, ethical school counselors who advocate for positive change by learning, leading, and serving students, families, schools, and communities; especially those who are disadvantaged or marginalized. Graduates of the school counseling program will be able to address the academic, career, and personal/social needs of pre-K to 12 students.
This program is approved by the New York State Department of Education and is designed for persons seeking provisional and permanent certification in school counseling. Upon completion of this 48-credit hour program, graduates are eligible for provisional certification. This program also prepares initially certified teachers for professional certification in New York state.
The Master of Science degree in sport management is a focused, yet flexible, 36 credit-hour graduate program designed to meet the needs of today’s graduate student, while developing skilled professionals for the sport industry. The program is structured to offer small class sizes, a flexible format for content delivery and interaction with industry professionals and full-time faculty.
This 4+1 program is designed for any undergraduate student interested in pursuing an M.S. in sport management. Students have the opportunity to complete a master’s degree in as little as one year after they have received their undergraduate degree. The program is structured so that students can take two graduate courses in each of the final two semesters of their undergraduate program, and apply these courses toward their graduate degree.
This 4+1 program is designed for undergraduate students in the College of Education who are interested in pursuing their Master of Science degree in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL). This program allows students to complete their first year of the TESOL graduate program during their senior year of undergraduate study. Graduate education courses count as credits toward both the baccalaureate and master’s degree.
TESOL/ESL teachers support English language learners (ELLs) in the classroom environment. As English continues to expand as a medium for global communication, the demand for qualified TESOL teachers increases. Likewise, as the non-native English-speaking immigrant population increases in this country, teachers of English as a Second Language (ESL/TESOL) are needed to provide linguistic and cultural support in K-12 schools. These factors have led to a rich job market for TESOL-certified teachers. Niagara’s TESOL programs will prepare students to meet certification requirements and provide them with the knowledge and skills necessary to meet the needs of English language learners.
This 4+1 program is designed for undergraduate students interested in teaching theatre at the elementary or high school level. Students are able to complete a portion of their graduate coursework in the Master of Science in Education in theatre education program during their senior year of undergraduate study. Graduate education courses count as credits toward both the baccalaureate and master’s degree.
