4+1 Bachelor’s Degree/Master of Business Administration (MBA)

Student at an internship writing on a piece of paper.

Earn Your Bachelor’s and MBA in Five Years

Get a head start on your career with Westfield State University’s accelerated 4+1 MBA pathway. Earn your bachelor’s degree and Master of Business Administration (MBA) in as little as five years, saving time and reducing the overall cost of earning two degrees.

Qualified students can begin graduate-level coursework during their senior year, taking up to six credits that count toward both their undergraduate degree and the 30-credit MBA. After graduation, you’ll transition into Westfield State’s fully online MBA program to complete your remaining coursework.

Along the way, you’ll build practical skills in leadership, business analytics, strategy, and sustainable business practices while earning additional credentials. Stackable graduate certificates in Business Leadership and your choice of Business Analytics or Global Sustainability for Business allow you to develop specialized expertise while working toward your MBA.

Start sooner, save time, and graduate with two degrees that can help you stand out in today’s competitive business world.

Program Highlights

  • Two degrees in five years
  • Fully online MBA
  • Stackable certificates build career skills
  • Develop skills to lead teams and make informed decisions
  • Gain advanced business knowledge that can support your long-term career goals

Build on Your Undergraduate Experience

  • Student studying on campus while working on a laptop.

    Expand Your Business Knowledge

    Go beyond what you learn in your undergraduate major by exploring different areas of business and developing a broader perspective that can help you pursue a variety of career paths.

  • Wooden owl carving outside Bates & Wilson Halls.

    Build Skills for What’s Next

    Strengthen your skills in leadership, analytics, strategy, and decision-making while learning how to apply what you’ve studied to real-world business situations and challenges.

  • Student studying with a laptop and backpack.

    Flexible Online Learning

    After earning your bachelor’s degree, complete your remaining MBA coursework fully online, giving you the flexibility to continue your education while balancing a job or other commitments.

What Can You Do With an MBA?

An MBA can help you build skills that apply across many industries and career paths. Whether you’re interested in leading a team, working with data, managing finances, developing marketing strategies, or starting your own business, an MBA can help you expand your opportunities as your career grows.

Career paths may include:

  • Business Analyst
  • Entrepreneur or Small Business Owner
  • Financial Analyst
  • Human Resources Manager
  • Marketing Manager
  • Project Manager
  • Sales Manager
Student working on a laptop in a classroom.

Get Big School Features with Small School Advantages

We offer high-quality academics, unique learning opportunities, and a gorgeous campus—and we have small classes, accessible faculty, and one-on-one support. 

You'll join fellow motivated students ready to make the most of the college experience through active participation. Become part of a caring and committed community that understands and embraces the bridge between academic study and civic responsibility.

  • Save

    time and cost

  • Apply

    in your junior year

  • Open

    to business majors and other eligible students

Support Along the Way

From planning your first graduate course to transitioning into the MBA program, you’ll have personalized guidance throughout the 4+1 pathway. Once accepted, the graduate program administrator will serve as your academic advisor and help you stay on track with the coursework you need.

Your advisor can help you understand program requirements, plan your graduate-level courses, and prepare for the transition from your undergraduate degree into the MBA program.

Contact Us

Dr. Rebecca Morris
Program Director

Frequently Asked Questions

How does the 4+1 Bachelor’s Degree/Master of Business Administration (MBA) work?

The 4+1 MBA pathway allows qualified Westfield State undergraduate students to begin earning MBA credits while completing their bachelor’s degree. During your senior year, you can take up to two graduate-level courses (6 credits) that count toward both your undergraduate degree and the 30-credit MBA.

After earning your bachelor’s degree, you’ll transition into the fully online MBA program and complete the remaining 24 graduate credits. This accelerated pathway makes it possible to earn both your bachelor’s degree and MBA in as little as five years.

What are the admission requirements?
  • Be enrolled in a Westfield State University bachelor’s degree program and be on track to complete all undergraduate degree requirements.
  • Have sufficient undergraduate degree flexibility to apply up to 6 approved graduate MBA credits toward the bachelor’s degree.
  • Complete or demonstrate equivalent knowledge of foundational coursework in financial accounting, financial management, and microeconomics.
  • Apply by January 15 of the junior year after completing 75 undergraduate credits.
  • Complete the graduate application and required application materials, including official transcripts and a current professional resume.
  • The $50 application fee is waived for these applicants.

Students will be notified of acceptance into the program by March 1 of their junior year. Students will also be assigned the graduate program administrator as their academic advisor to ensure they are taking the appropriate coursework.

What certificates can I earn as part of the MBA?

As you work toward your MBA, you’ll also earn stackable graduate certificates that allow you to build specialized skills along the way. All MBA students complete the Business Leadership Certificate and choose either the Business Analytics Certificate or the Global Sustainability for Business Certificate.

  • Business Leadership Certificate (12 credits): Build skills in leadership, emotional intelligence, negotiation, marketing, business decision-making, and corporate responsibility.
  • Business Analytics Certificate (12 credits): Learn how to use data to make informed business decisions through analytics, data visualization, statistics, and other data-driven strategies.
  • Global Sustainability for Business Certificate (12 credits): Explore how businesses can address environmental and social challenges while supporting responsible practices and long-term economic growth.

These certificates are completed as part of your MBA coursework, giving you additional credentials that highlight your skills and areas of expertise.

What are the costs?

Westfield State University offers a comprehensive university experience at an affordable cost. Visit our Cost and Aid page to learn more. Cost of courses taken at the graduate level differ from undergraduate tuition.

Who can I contact with questions?

For questions about the 4+1 program contact:

Dr. Rebecca Morris, Program Director
rmorris@westfield.ma.edu

For questions about applying to Westfield State University:

Undergraduate Admissions
413-579-3040
admissions@westfield.ma.edu

Graduate Admissions
413-572-8461
graduate@westfield.ma.edu

Related Programs

Request Information

We’re here to answer your questions and deliver the support you need along your academic journey. Please provide your contact information and area of interest, and we’ll be in touch shortly.

4+1 Bachelor’s Degree/Master of Business Administration (MBA)