Dual College Degree vs. Accelerated Degree: What’s the Difference?
These days, many college students find a bachelor’s degree is just the first step toward reaching their personal and professional goals. Some professions require a graduate degree to practice or gain licensure and employers in all fields are increasingly seeking graduate degrees for new hires.
If you’re looking to finish your college career with two degrees, you may be wondering – what’s the difference between a traditional dual degree and an accelerated dual degree program? Is there a difference? Which is the best fit for me?
At Sacred Heart University, you can choose from 40 dual degree programs, including accelerated options that will have you on your way to a rewarding career even faster.
What is a dual degree program?
Sacred Heart’s dual degree programs provide a defined pathway for you to move seamlessly and efficiently from an undergraduate degree to a graduate degree.
Apply to a dual degree program as an incoming first-year student and you will be considered for admission to your undergraduate major of interest and, as a separate review, your graduate program of interest. You will be notified in your decision letter of your admission to undergraduate and also graduate programs. Dual degree students are guaranteed a place in the graduate program without having to re-apply, provided they meet program-specific criteria to the advanced program. And, even if you’re not admitted to the dual degree program, you will be considered for undergraduate admission separately.
Sacred Heart University offers dual degree programs in nearly every discipline– nearly 40 opportunities in all.
What is an accelerated college degree program?
An accelerated college degree program is a dual degree program—with a difference: Students move at a quicker pace, attaining the necessary credits for their undergraduate degree in a shorter span of time than the traditional four-year timeline.
At SHU, dual degree programs often include numbers denoting the amount of time the degree usually takes to complete. For instance, in the 3+3 Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program, you complete the undergraduate major requirements in three years and the graduate degree takes the traditional three years.
Why should I consider an accelerated program or any other dual college degree program?
There are many reasons to opt for an accelerated program or any other dual degree program. You may want to earn your bachelor’s-master’s if the terminal degree is required in your field of interest and take the fast track into the workforce. Or you might be a working professional who wants to advance your career.
Many students simply know what they want to do for a career and want to prepare for it quickly and efficiently. Applying to a dual degree program also maximizes your application, eliminating the need for additional applications and the fees that come with them.
Which professions require a graduate degree?
Many of the health professions require an advanced degree, which SHU offers through programs such as physical therapy, which offers a dual Bachelor’s-DPT program. If you're hoping to become an occupational therapist or speech-language pathologist, SHU offers seamless dual degree programs in each field.
Teachers are also among those who must earn a graduate degree before entering their fields. Students accepted to SHU’s 4+1 Bachelor’s-Master’s Dual Degree Program in Teaching major in one of the following as undergraduates:
- Biology
- Chemistry
- English
- History
- Interdisciplinary Studies
- Mathematics
- Spanish
From there, they can complete a 4+1 program with a certification in:
- Elementary Education
- Secondary Education
- Elementary Education with a Special Education Cross Endorsement
SHU has the only graduate film programs in Connecticut and there are dual degree opportunities for many majors in business, computer science, social work, communications and more.
Dual and accelerated programs often save students time and money.
Many dual degree programs offer students the opportunity to save time and money by accelerating undergraduate degree completion or beginning graduate coursework during the undergraduate years to reduce the cost of the graduate degree. For example, students may finish the bachelor’s degree in three years, or take two or more graduate courses during undergraduate study at no additional cost over undergraduate tuition.
Keep in mind, a swifter degree program often carries a challenging course load. It may include summer courses, intersession work and careful planning to fit everything into the shorter span.
Will I miss out on my college experience?
Students pursuing dual and accelerated degrees will have to plan and make sure they can accomplish the rigorous coursework of their program. However, knowing you are already accepted to a graduate program can lessen stress, provide peace of mind and allow you to enjoy your college years even more. Study abroad is possible during the undergrad portion and, for many programs, even into the graduate portions of dual degree options, including possibilities at SHU’s campus in Dingle, Ireland.
SHU academic advisors and the Center for Career & Professional Development are ready to help you plan a course of study tailor-made to your needs and goals. Be sure to reach out and get the advice you need to succeed and carve out space for all the things you want to experience in college.
What if I get a year or two in and then decide I don’t want to pursue a dual or accelerated degree?
Don’t worry. People change their minds or find other career and academic goals in college. With individualized assessment programs, such as Discover YOU, and Handshake, SHU's exclusive job search portal, the Center for Career & Professional Development can help you discern your strengths and challenges and find a career path that’s right for you.
There may be other combined degree programs open to you. You and your advisor can look at your current credits and determine if they would fit nicely with another advanced degree program or identify key undergraduate courses you need to put other graduate paths in reach.
How do I apply for a dual degree or accelerated program?
Students apply to a dual degree program at the same time as their undergraduate application, selecting their dual degree program of interest on the Common Application. In some dual degree programs, specific undergraduate majors must be pursued as part of the plan of study, while others are feasible for almost all undergraduate majors. Students will see the eligible undergraduate majors matching their dual degree program of interest on the Common Application.
Students admitted to SHU as undergraduate students will, along with their undergraduate letter of admission, receive a decision letter for the dual degree program. Students are encouraged to reach out to their Admissions Counselor to discuss dual degree options or ask questions about particular programs.
What sets Sacred Heart University’s dual and accelerated degree programs apart?
At Sacred Heart, 99% of graduates are employed full-time or enrolled in graduate school within a year of graduation. And it’s easy to see why. From the first day of freshman year to graduation and beyond, SHU’s admissions counselors, academic advising and Center for Career & Professional Development provide strong, cutting-edge support to help you discern and reach your professional goals.
In addition to the four-year Discover YOU program and one-on-one interview coaching and résumé advice, SHU offers personalized services targeting specific careers, including grad school advising and custom action plans. With Meet the Employers events, recruitment weeks and internship fairs, the career center tailors events to your goals.
In addition, the SHU community has access to the exclusive online job search tool Handshake, which houses more than 3.5 million jobs and internships across the globe. Companies like ESPN, FBI, Deloitte, Hartford HealthCare, Morgan Stanley, Microsoft and Sikorsky are looking specifically to work with SHU students and alumni, who have a strong reputation as top performers.
In turn, our alumni network of over 50,000 strong are eager to support students launching their careers. And you’ll enjoy lifetime access to our career services after graduation.
Want to know more about Sacred Heart University’s dual and accelerated degree programs?
Talk to our team of admissions counselors, each of whom can help you create a plan for a successful college career. Have a one-on-one conversation with one of our counselors to get all your questions answered either virtually or in person. Email enroll@sacredheart.edu or call 203-371-7880 for questions on undergraduate issues. For graduate program inquiries, email gradstudies@sacredheart.edu, call 203-365-7619 or schedule an appointment today.
Want to hear more from SHU? Subscribe to our newsletters to get the latest updates delivered right to your inbox.