Traditionally, for University of Iowa students to achieve masters degrees in business analytics or finance, graduates must take three semesters worth of classes in addition to working a summer internship.

Now, the Tippie College of Business’ new undergrad-to-graduate option allows undergraduate students in designated majors to start taking graduate classes their senior year so they can achieve master’s degrees just one year after achieving bachelor’s degrees.

“It’s really a unique opportunity for students to get a jump-start on graduate degrees and finish them in one year,” said David Deyak, the assistant dean of the specialized master’s program. “We’re very excited that this opportunity is going to be expanded to our undergraduates.”

Otherwise known as “4+1,” because it provides a master’s degree in one additional year to the four for a bachelor’s, he said the program is advantageous for students because for their first 14 to 15 graduate semester hours they’re still paying undergraduate tuition.

“It’s brand-new. I think the biggest advantage is just doing the program,” Deyak said. “We see this as an area for growth in the next few years.”

For students interested in entering the workforce, Deyak said, the program has the opportunity to give them more qualification and experience than their peers without Master’s degrees.

Jennifer Carter, the full-time M.B.A. admissions and financial aid director, master’s degrees will make students more appealing to potential employers.

“Undergraduates getting into the workforce is becoming more competitive,” Carter said. “Just having a bachelor’s degree is not what it once was.”