4+1 Bachelor of Arts/Master of Communication and Media Program

Why the 4+1 Program?

The 4+1 BA/MCM program is an accelerated path for high-achieving Rutgers undergraduates who want to save time and tuition while preparing for leadership roles in communication and media. By beginning graduate coursework in your senior year, you can earn both your bachelor’s and master’s degrees in just five years—giving you a valuable head start in today’s competitive job market.

How the Program Works

• Apply to the 4+1 BA/MCM program during your junior year.

• If accepted, you’ll begin taking graduate-level MCM courses in your senior year, while still an undergraduate student.

• You may take up to 18 graduate credits during your senior year. These courses typically count toward general electives or COM/JMS electives in your undergraduate program and toward your master’s degree.

• You must fulfill all undergraduate degree requirements and maintain good academic standing during your senior year.

• After earning your bachelor’s degree, you will officially transition to graduate student status and complete the remaining MCM requirements, typically within one additional year of full-time study.

Course Planning and Advising

• During your junior year, focus on completing your undergraduate major and minor requirements.

• If admitted to the program, you’ll receive coordinated academic support from both your undergraduate advisor and MCM program advisors.

• You are encouraged to meet with MCM Program Director Richard Dool to plan your graduate coursework and ensure a smooth transition between degrees.

How the Pathway Plan Works

If you are accepted into the 4+1 BA/MCM program, you will be considered an undergraduate student who is taking master's-level courses. These courses will count toward your general electives or Communication or Journalism and Media Studies electives in your senior year. During this time, you must fulfill all of your undergraduate requirements. After graduating with a bachelor's degree, you will then transition into the master's program and, consequently, be subject to the processes and requirements associated with that status.

Before You Apply

If you are considering the 4+1 BA/MCM program:

• Meet with an undergraduate advisor in the Office of Student Services to discuss your undergraduate requirements and eligibility for the 4+1 BA/MCM program.
• Plan to apply during your junior or early in your senior year, according to deadlines, through the Graduate Admissions Office. Once you have submitted all the required application materials, your application is considered complete and sent to the review committee.
• Apply at least one semester before you will take your first master’s-level course.

Please note that the Master of Communication program follows a selective admission process. To increase your chances of being accepted, request letters of recommendation from Communication or Journalism and Media Studies faculty or other Rutgers faculty members who are familiar with your work.

Admission Requirements and Process

Interested Communication or Journalism and Media Studies students should apply during their junior year (must have at least 90 credits) to the 4+1 BA/MCM program through Graduate Admissions. To be considered, you must:

• Have and maintain a GPA of 3.0 or above.
• Submit a personal statement of approximately 300-500 words detailing your academic, research, and career objectives. Explain why you want to attend this program. Identify areas of study as well as faculty who are of special interest to you.
• Submit an official copy of your transcript.
• Submit your CV/resume.
• Submit two letters of recommendation from Rutgers faculty from whom you've taken classes.

Submitting Your Application

Select the following when you are completing the Program Information portion of the application:

When to Apply

You must apply for the term following your anticipated undergraduate graduation term. You need to remain coded as an undergraduate student during your senior year. If admitted, you will be able to complete Master of Communication and Media courses in your senior year and will receive special permission numbers from the Office of Student Services to register for the courses.

Program Structure and Roadmap

Navigating Your Junior Year

When selecting your junior-year courses, your priority is to work toward completing your undergraduate major and minor requirements. The Master of Communication and Media program director will advise you about your study plan and options. 

Senior Year Graduate Coursework

Graduate courses in your senior year count toward both your undergraduate and graduate requirements. Register for any combination of four Master of Communication and Media graduate-level courses (12 credits).

If you enter in the second semester of your senior year, it may be a challenge to enroll for the full 12 credits, but we encourage you to apply to gain some benefits. 

You may take any 500-level Master of Communication and Media course in your senior year with the exception of:

• 17:194:514 Communication Research
• 17:194:519 MCM Capstone Seminar
• Any MCM elective that is cross-listed with the Ph.D. program

Academic Standing

You can count up to two grades of C toward the program. If you earn both C grades in Master of Communication and Media courses while still an undergraduate, you won’t be able to apply any additional C grades toward your Master of Communication and Media degree once you become a fully enrolled graduate student.

If you're in the 4+1 BA/MCM program and earn an F in a Master of Communication and Media course as an undergraduate, you may be disqualified from continuing in the program. However, any Master of Communication and Media courses you’ve completed will still count toward COM/JMS elective credits for your undergraduate degree. If you are disqualified, your graduate application record will be updated to reflect a switch from the 4+1 BA/MCM program (i.e., program code – 17:1943 to the traditional Master of Communication and Media program (i.e., program code – 17:194).

Once you're fully enrolled in the graduate Master of Communication and Media ​​​​​​program, you'll be held to the same academic standards as all other SC&I master’s students.

Grading in the 4+1 BA/MCM Program

• Grades awarded for graduate course work are: A, B+, B, C+, C, F; or pass/no credit in some designated experiences. There is no D in the graduate grading rubric.
• Grades earned are factored into your GPA the same as undergraduate grades.
• Grades of B and above are accepted. Only two C/C+ grades will be allowed to apply toward the program degree requirements. This includes the courses completed in your senior year. Please review further details in the Academic Standing information listed below.
• Grades of C+ or C will be reviewed by the Scholastic Standing Committee and can result in probation.