4+1 Program

The 4+1 program is designed to accelerate the path for SCU undergraduates to earn a Master of Science degree. Open to all SCU undergraduates who meet the admission requirements, this program allows accepted students to take up to 4 graduate units per quarter during their senior year, with a cap of 12 units. These 12 units must be completed within the same academic year the student enters the program. This structure allows students to potentially complete their graduate degree within ten months of being admitted to the graduate school.

Admissions Process

Applicants to this program include, but are not confined to, individuals with a solid foundation in mathematics, exposure to technical coursework, a desire for access to graduate-level classes, and those aiming for careers aligned with analytics. The admission process as follows:

  • Freshmen, sophomores, and juniors are encouraged to participate in information sessions and/or arrange advising appointments.
  • Students with a GPA of at least 3.3 at the time of application are eligible to apply during their junior year once winter quarter grades have been published. Applicants who expect to achieve a 3.3 GPA by the conclusion of the Spring quarter may also be considered for acceptance into the program on a case-by-case basis, pending approval.
  • Students must have completed pertinent prerequisite coursework that equips them for a STEM degree (all MS degrees hold STEM certification). These prerequisites vary depending on the student's undergraduate major and should be addressed with an admissions officer at the outset of the student's undergraduate program. Example courses include, but not limited to: Calculus, Statistics, Python, Java, C, and C++.
  • The GMAT/GRE is not required and will be waived for admission.

4+1 students will be sent an email in May 2025, regarding their intention to proceed as graduate students. If the student agrees to continue, there is no need to reapply to the MS program as a new applicant. The graduate credits earned during their senior year will be credited toward their graduate program.

Those who do not continue their studies as graduate students starting in Fall 2025 term may need to reapply as new applicants. Graduate-level courses taken as an undergraduate may be applicable up to a maximum of 3 years. Students taking a gap are advised to schedule an appointment with the MS Admissions team for confirmation.

Program Overview

Students will start  their graduate-level coursework during their senior year. The MS Programs Office will register 4+1 students on their behalf for either one 4-unit class per quarter or two 2-unit courses. To remain in the program, 4+1 students must achieve a grade of B or above in their graduate courses.

It is recommended that each 4+1 student takes a maximum of 4 units per quarter (Fall 2024, Winter 2025, and Spring 2025). However, flexibility is provided based on the workload as an undergraduate student. If a 4+1 student wishes to take more or fewer than 4 units, approval from the Graduate Business Programs Office is required.

While graduate-level courses do not contribute to the student’s undergraduate requirements, we collaborate with the Undergraduate Department to assess the feasibility of integrating them into an undergraduate student's regular workload. Each case is evaluated individually, and approval from all departments involved is necessary.

Any 4+1 Students who wish to continue their graduate-level coursework as a graduate student are required to meet with an Academic Advisor to discuss what their program plan will look like moving forward. The Academic Advisor can be reached at MSprograms@scu.edu.

Undergraduate Courses Equivalency Waiver

For each program, listed below are the graduate core courses eligible for substitution if the corresponding undergraduate course has been completed. When substituting courses, 4+1 students will need to take an equivalent number of units from elective courses instead, in order to meet the total unit requirement for their degree (48 units for MSIS, 42 for MSBA, 36 for MSFA).

MS Finance & Analytics (MSFA)

  • Database - SQL can be bypassed if the student has taken OMIS 105 Database Management Systems
  • Data Analytics with Python can be bypassed if the student has taken OMIS 114 Data Science with Python
  • FNCE 2405 Investments can be bypassed if the student has taken FNCE 121 Financial Management

MS Business Analytics (MSBA)

  • Prescriptive Analytics can be bypassed if the student has taken OMIS 109 Prescriptive Analytics
  • Database - SQL can be bypassed if the student has taken OMIS 105 Database Management Systems
  • Data Analytics with Python can be bypassed if the student has taken OMIS 114 Data Science with Python

MS Information Systems (MSIS)

  • Object Oriented Analysis and Program can be bypassed if the student has taken OMIS 109  Prescriptive Analytics
  • Information Systems Analysis and Design can be bypassed if the student has taken OMIS 106 Systems Analysis and Design
  • Database SQL can be bypassed if the student has taken OMIS 105 Database Management Systems
  • Data Analytics can be bypassed if the student has taken OMIS 114 Data Science with Python

Career Requirement

4+1 students must schedule a meeting with a graduate-level career coach once during their senior year.