Sacred Heart University

Programme overview

The 4+1 dual degree enables students to earn a bachelor’s degree and a Master of Science in Chemistry in five years total. Dual-degree participants are guaranteed admission to the MS program provided they continue to meet program-specific progression criteria as undergraduates. Completing the MS through this pathway requires one year of graduate study instead of the usual two years when the graduate degree is undertaken separately.

What you'll study

The MS in Chemistry at Sacred Heart offers four academic tracks, including both thesis and non-thesis options, allowing students to tailor graduate work toward research or professional practice. Students complete advanced laboratory work using the university’s instrumentation and facilities; tracks prepare graduates for careers in research, industry, education, medicine-related labs or further academic study.

Entry requirements

To progress from the dual-degree undergraduate phase into the Master of Science in Chemistry, students must:

• Successfully complete a bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Molecular & Cellular Biology or Biology with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.
• Earn a grade of C or better in all major courses.
• Students with undergraduate majors in Biology or Molecular & Cellular Biology must also complete General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry with a grade of C or better prior to progression.

Career prospects

Graduates from the dual-degree pathway move into roles such as research chemist, product development specialist, chemistry teacher, medical lab technician and pharmaceutical scientist. National labour data cited on the program page notes projected 8% growth for chemist and materials scientist positions through 2033 and reports a median annual wage of $106,160 for materials scientists (BLS.gov, 2024 data referenced).

Scholarships & funding angle

The program page highlights cost advantages of the 4+1 format: earning the MS in one extra year can reduce total tuition compared with completing separate graduate study, and the guaranteed graduate place removes the need for last-minute applications during the senior year. Undergraduate advising and campus resources are available to help students remain on track.