School of Business
PROPOSAL FOR 4+1 PROGRAM
Introduction
The School of Business proposes to offer an undergraduate degree in Accounting plus a graduate degree
in Project Management in a 5 year continuous program plan. Participating students will have enough
credits (150) at the end of the program to be certified as a CPA, a key requirement for professional
practice in that field. In addition, those students will earn a graduate management degree which will
serve them well in the job market. Key to the success for a 4+1 program is finding some efficiency on
the academic side which will allow a shorter-than standard time for both degrees.
The program is targeted to highly capable accounting students. Conversations with accounting industry
partners and advisory boards have been met with enthusiastic support for such a program. One
accounting firm is prepared to establish a scholarship for students who participate in the program.
Key Elements to the Program
 To successfully complete both degrees in 5 years, students will need to follow a tight program
plan especially in the junior, senior, and fifth years. While students will formally begin the
program in the first semester of their junior year, advisors and students should begin planning in
their freshman year.
o There’s sufficient flexibility in general education and Accounting major requirements in
the first four semesters to allow students to enter the program even if they have not
planned on entering the program at the beginning of their college career.
 Students would formally apply to the 4+1 program at the end of their sophomore year. Four
semesters should provide adequate time to judge the ability of the student to handle the
intense junior, senior, and fifth years. A minimum gpa of 3.0 is required. Once in the program
students must maintain grades sufficient to meet the requirements of both programs.
 Beginning with the junior year, students may begin taking a combination of undergraduate and
graduate courses.
 Graduate credits may be applied to the undergraduate degree which will allow efficiencies in
the course of study.
 Initial discussions with the DLC, the Director of Graduate Studies, Financial Aid, and the Registrar
regarding operational issues have not revealed any unsurmountable problems.
Exceptions to Graduate Program Policy
The School of Business is requesting that the Graduate Council allow the following exceptions:
 Allow students in this 4+1 program to take graduate courses before an undergraduate degree is
completed as a junior.
 Allow students in this 4+1 program to apply graduate credits to their undergraduate degree1.
 Allow students in this 4+1 program who have maintained a 2.75 in their undergraduate program
and a 3.0 in their graduate courses to be automatically admitted to the Project Management
masters program upon completion of their undergraduate degree.
1
The exact number of credits will depend on final decisions regarding general education requirements.