New 4+1 Program Offers English Students Fast Track to Master’s Degree

The LMU Bellarmine College of Liberal Arts has introduced its first 4+1 program in the English Department. The program offers students the opportunity to earn both a bachelor's and a master's degree in just five years. Among the first cohort of this program is Bradley Duggan, a Southern California native who is set to graduate with his B.A. in English in 2025 and his M.A. in 2026. Duggan, who is excited to accelerate his education, save a year's tuition, and remain at LMU for another year, shared his thoughts.

"There was no downside to applying to the 4+1 Program, but the upsides were extensive and compelling," said Duggan. "I'm saving a lot of money to receive a graduate education while remaining at a university where I already feel at home. Applying was a no-brainer."

Top-level students excelling in the English major are urged to consider this program. The simplified application process alleviates the stress of lengthy graduate school applications and the anxiety of waiting for decisions. Graduates of this program will be more competitive applicants for MFA and PhD programs and will be better equipped for careers in a variety of public and private sectors.

For Duggan, the financial benefits were a significant factor. "Graduate school would not have been fiscally viable without the 4+1 Program," he noted. "Remaining at LMU while pursuing a graduate degree was, to me, the main draw of the 4+1 Program. I would receive just as quality education as I would at any other institution while saving a considerable amount of money and continuing to work alongside peers and professors with whom I have already established friendships and positive relationships. Why would I go elsewhere?"

Duggan has already reaped the benefits of taking a graduate-level course as an undergraduate, "Archaeology of Gothic Books," with Stephen Shepherd, professor of English Literature. "The course was a departure from my usual area of study, and it was initially quite demanding, but I found it more enjoyable as the semester progressed," he shared. "Receiving a good grade in a challenging class was a particularly rewarding experience."

Looking ahead, Duggan aspires to a career as a creative writer, leveraging the skills he has honed while at LMU and under the mentorship of Kelly Younger, professor of English and Hollywood screenwriter. "I'm hoping to fulfill whatever niches I can with the skills I have learned in my English education, like writing, communication, creative arts, and vying to find a sustainable, rewarding, and fulfilling career," said Duggan.