Newswise — BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Two of Indiana University's largest academic units, the College of Arts and Sciences and the Kelley School of Business, have announced that they are collaborating to offer several new accelerated master's degrees for IU students in the sciences, mathematics, information technology and other disciplines.

Students enrolled in the new 4+1 Integrated Master's programs will earn a bachelor's degree from the College of Arts and Sciences and a Master of Science degree from the Kelley School. They will have at least seven online and two in-residence master's degree options to choose from. The online Master of Science degrees will be delivered in a blended format, with both in-residence and online components.

"Increasingly, new hires are expected to step into their positions and deliver real value on day one," said Larry Singell, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. "Combining the foundational skills of a liberal arts degree to question critically, think logically, communicate clearly, act creatively and live ethically with a specialized master's in business will make our students even more attractive in the marketplace. We are excited to partner with our colleagues at one of the top business schools in the world."

Idalene "Idie" Kesner, dean of the Kelley School of Business and the Frank P. Popoff Chair of Strategic Management, noted that most companies hiring for specialized areas such as science or information technology expect prospective employees to have business knowledge as well.

“Businesses are more integrated and strategic these days, and it helps if employees are able to see the bigger business picture -- to see the cause and effect of how their role impacts other operations,” Kesner said. “And because so many of the College of Arts and Sciences disciplinary areas are ranked in the top 10, this is a great way for IU students to earn degrees from two top programs.”

A Master of Science degree requires 30 credit hours to complete. Students will have the option to earn in-residence M.S. degrees in accounting and information systems, or online M.S. degrees in information technology management, entrepreneurship and innovation, business analytics, finance, global supply chain management, marketing, and strategic management.

Many students currently enrolled at IU can enter the program right away, particularly those currently minoring in business or working on a business foundations certificate, but no business background is required.

They will be expected to complete the required courses for their undergraduate major by the end of their junior year and complete work on a business minor or certificate by the middle of their senior year. They can begin their coursework toward their Master of Science degree as early as halfway through their senior year.

For those without a business background, a four-week-long intensive business “core” will be offered each year right after the end of the spring semester. Students may take this core at the end of their junior or senior years. These students will begin their business coursework after the completion of the core.

The program includes an internship in an area related to their business studies during the summer after their senior year for those pursuing an in-residence master's.

Graduates who are interested in pursuing corporate careers will receive support from the same highly ranked Graduate Career Services available to other Kelley graduates. The school's consistently high placement rates should give students a good return on their investment.

For more information, contact Scott Lemmon, [email protected] or 812-855-3516.