Accelerated 3+1 Dual Degree
Fast-track your business career with Elon’s accelerated 3+1 dual-degree programs
Earn a bachelor’s degree plus the M.S. in Accounting or M.S. in Business Analytics degree in just four years, while still benefiting from all the hallmarks of an Elon education – on-campus (face-to-face) classes, global engagement, career services and professional development, and many other engaged learning opportunities that have led to Elon’s recognition as the national leader in the eight high-impact practices focused on student success.
The Accelerated 3+1 business programs also provide a common first-year cohort experience, allowing students to either pre-select a program or, if undecided, choose their program after completing their first year of study. This first-year cohort experience provides an opportunity to get a headstart on their professional development and to build relationships with other students in the program.
Bachelor’s degree (A.B., B.A., B.F.A. or B.S.) + M.S. in Accounting (MSA)
This Accelerated 3+1 program offers high-achieving students the opportunity to earn both a bachelor’s degree (A.B., B.A., B.F.A. or B.S.) and M.S. degree in four years. You will be allowed to take all 30 hours of graduate coursework prior to receiving your undergraduate degrees. Since you begin taking accounting classes during your first year at Elon, it is important to meet with an accounting advisor either prior to your enrollment at Elon or shortly thereafter.
Data from the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) shows that the overall CPA pass rate for graduate degree holders (58.3%) was significantly higher than that for undergraduate degree holders (48.8%).
Students with a master’s degree in accounting also earn higher average starting salaries. According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) Winter 2019 salary survey, the average starting salary for graduates with a master’s degree in Accounting was $69,605 as compared to $57,511 for graduates with a bachelor’s degree.
Elon MSA graduates will be prepared both to pass the CPA exam and begin earning higher salaries sooner, thus saving both tuition and time as compared to students in traditional graduate degree programs.
Learn about the B.S. in Accounting program
Learn about the M.S. in Accounting program
B.S. in Business Administration + M.S. in Business Analytics (BSBA/MSBA)
This Accelerated 3+1 program offers high-achieving students the opportunity to earn a B.S. in Business Administration (BSBA) degree in either business analytics, economic consulting, entrepreneurship and innovation, finance, human resource management, international business, marketing, project management or supply chain management, as well as the M.S. in Business Analytics degree in just four years. Complete the majority of your undergraduate coursework during your first three years, then complete your graduate coursework during your fourth year.
This program allows the flexibility to choose your area of business focus at the undergraduate level while gaining valuable analytics skills at the graduate level. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the business analyst or “management analyst” had a mean annual salary of $85,260 in May 2019. The BLS estimates the need for business analysts to grow 14% from 2016 to 2026 as companies seek to improve efficiency and control costs. Elon BSBA/MSBA graduates will be prepared to fill this market demand with the knowledge and tools necessary to quickly become successful contributors and change-makers at nationally recognized organizations throughout all industries.
Learn about the business undergraduate majors
Learn about the M.S. in Business Analytics program
Ready to apply?
First-year applications are due January 10. Accelerated 3+1 program applications are due January 15.
What if I am undecided on a major?
Prospective students who apply to the accelerated 3+1 business program may 1) indicate their preference for either the accounting 3+1 program or business analytics 3+1 program at the time of their application OR 2) wait to declare which program they will pursue until the end of their first year at Elon. Understanding that some students may want or need time to explore before deciding on a major, we have built this flexibility into the curriculum.