Earn Two Degrees in Four Years Plus One Semester
Point Park University's world-renowned Conservatory of Performing Arts (COPA) and innovative School of Communication are offering a new opportunity to students to earn two degrees in as little as four years as part of the Early Start Master’s program.
Our distinctive Early Start Master’s program gives students an affordable opportunity to earn both a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the Conservatory — and a Master of Arts in public relations, advertising and social media from the School of Communication — in four years plus one additional semester in the summer.
Garfield Lemonius, COPA dean and artistic director, said this partnership highlights one of the many advantages of being a COPA major.
"That students have the option of earning their B.F.A. and a Master's degree by the time they graduate, signals our commitment to centering students' goals and aspirations for their future. Our students are career-ready, supported with transferable skills that will guarantee their success in their career pursuits," said Lemonius.
The Early Start program is available to all COPA students enrolled in a B.F.A. program.
"Completing the Early Start Program provides students with the unique advantage of accelerating their education and ultimately, their professional growth and career opportunities," said Jenna Lo Castro, School of Communication graduate program director and assistant professor of PR, advertising and social media. "Earning both degrees offers students an edge in their chosen industry and allows them to more quickly pursue diverse or advanced career options."
Added Lemonius: "We are lucky to partner with other schools like the School of Communication, who also value strong work ethic and dedication to academic rigor as our Conservatory students, and who understand the benefit of an interdisciplinary approach to college education — that's a Point Park education! Together, we are preparing exceptional artists with tools to impact their world in meaningful ways."
How the Early Start Program Works
Students must be academically and artistically admitted to an undergraduate major in the Conservatory of Performing Arts in the Department of Cinema Arts, Dance or Theatre.
COPA students begin online graduate classes in the M.A. in public relations, advertising and social media program the summer before their senior year as part of the 36-credit Early Start Master's program. Students will take:
- Four courses during the summer before senior year (12 credits)
- Two courses in the fall of senior year (6 credits)
- Two courses during the spring of senior year (6 credits)
- Four courses during the summer after senior year (12 credits)
M.A. classes include: Principles of Public Relations & Advertising, Social Media, Integrated Marketing Communication, Social Media Crisis, Strategic Communication, among others.
"Whether it’s dance, theatre or cinema arts, the marketplace can be competitive," said Lo Castro. "The Early Start Program helps students hone an alternative skill set — this allows them to pursue various types of communications-specific jobs in the industries they are most passionate about."
Enrollment and completion criteria
- Point Park students may apply for the Early Start Master's Program junior year during their undergraduate studies.
- If accepted into the program, students must be a senior undergraduate student with 3.0 or higher GPA to start taking their master's program classes.
- Applicants should also submit a current resume and a 500-word statement of purpose which addresses how your professional experience and career goals relate to graduate study and two letters of recommendation, and you do not need to send your Point Park transcript - the Office of Graduate Admission will pull that for you.
Contact Us
Contact the Office of Graduate Admission: gradadmission@pointpark.edu or 412-392-3808.