Fifth Year Option
The Fifth Year Option at Lasell University allows undergraduate students with high academic standing to earn both their undergraduate and graduate degrees in as little as five years and save a good amount of money in the process.
Benefits
The Fifth Year Option allows you to save time and earn your graduate degree in just 1 year. Qualified students can earn up to 12 graduate credits prior to starting their master's degree at a bachelor degree price.
Financial Advantage: Based upon 2019-2020 Graduate Tuition and Fees, a Lasell undergraduate who completes graduate course requirements through blended semesters and/or course waivers can save up to $7,200.
Please note, earned credit will depend upon the student's undergraduate coursework, blended semesters and program of choice. The Fifth Year Option does not apply to all graduate-level programs.
Eligible Graduate Programs
Qualifications
Students who wish to pursue the Fifth Year Option must have a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or greater and inform their advisor during their freshman or sophomore year by completing the Fifth Year Option Declaration of Interest form.
Declaring and Planning
Planning is essential to success in this program. In addition to the opportunity to complete one or two blended semesters, students may be eligible to waive two courses (6 credits) required in the core curriculum of the MBA, MSC, MSNH, MSRS, MSM, MSSM, or M.Ed. Students should select courses in close consultation with both their advisor and Chair of the relevant academic department. Program choice and course load may affect time to master's degree completion.
During each blended semester, students complete their undergraduate degree requirements and simultaneously enroll in one graduate course (3 credits) that will count toward their master's degree. Students must earn a grade of B (3.0 GPA) in their graduate classes. (Note: Graduate course credits cannot be applied toward the fulfillment of the student's 120 undergraduate degree credit requirement.) In a blended semester, students are required to take a minimum of 12 undergraduate credits and one graduate course. In each blended semester, students are not permitted to enroll in more than 18 credits.
NOTE: Students who wish to pursue an MSCJ (Master of Science in Criminal Justice) are not eligible to waive two courses through undergraduate course waivers. They can participate in the blended semester and take 1-2 graduate-level courses in their senior year in close consultation with both their advisor and Chair of the relevant academic department.
Undergraduate Course Waivers
A list of undergraduate course waivers can be found by clicking here. Please note, this list is continually updated.
Application
Senior students registering for their blended semester(s) need to complete a Graduate Course Eligibility form during pre-registration for their first-semester senior year. This form is necessary for the Registrar's Office to determine student eligibility.
During the student's senior year, Fifth Year Option students will submit an Application for Graduate Admission along with one letter of recommendation and a one-page personal statement. The application fee is waived. Students seeking further information regarding the Fifth Year Option should contact:
Lasell University, Office of Graduate Enrollment
1844 Commonwealth Avenue
Newton, MA 02466
617-243-2400 | gradinfo@lasell.edu
