Grady College offers Double Dawgs accelerated master’s programs

Grady College has expanded its Graduate Studies opportunities to include a total of eight linked-degree Double Dawgs programs in which students earn both a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in five years or less.

The Double Dawgs programs designed by Grady College faculty are among 113 Double Dawgs programs to date at the University of Georgia, giving UGA one of the nation’s largest selections of accelerated master’s programs.

“The ability to come out with both degrees in a fairly short period of time gives students an edge,” said Jeff Springston, associate dean for Research and Graduate Studies at Grady College. “Students will come out of here in a stronger position both in the professional world and if they want to come back for a terminal degree.”

Students also save time and money by earning a master’s degree in one year instead of two through the Double Dawgs program.

“I’m very sensitive to the kind of debt that students have to take on these days, and I like the idea that we can reduce the cost,” Springston said.

The Grady College now offers eight pathways. The full list includes:

• Advertising AB/Journalism and Mass Communication MA/(ADPR 4+1)
• Advertising AB/Journalism and Mass Communication MA/(Emerging Media)
• Entertainment and Media Studies AB/Journalism and Mass Communication MA/(Emerging Media)
• Journalism AB/Journalism and Mass Communication MA/(Emerging Media)
• Journalism AB/Journalism and Mass Communication MA/(Journalism)
• Music AB/Journalism and Mass Communication MA/(Advertising)
• Public Relations AB/Journalism and Mass Communication MA/(ADPR 4+1)
• Public Relations AB/Journalism and Mass Communication MA/(Emerging Media)

Springston noted that additional Double Dawgs programs will likely roll out in the future.

Double Dawgs applicants follow the same steps as other Grady College graduate program applicants: they must take the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) and complete application materials required by the UGA Graduate School, as well as supplemental materials required by the Grady Graduate Studies Office.

Students should apply for a Double Dawgs program during their first year in Grady College (or third year at UGA) by March 1, according to Springston. Three courses, or nine hours total, will count for both their undergraduate and graduate work.

Students interested in Grady College’s Double Dawgs programs are encouraged to meet with Springston.

“We have fabulous students,” he said. “I love having our undergrads move into our graduate program when it makes sense for them, and they typically do extremely well.”

UGA Double Dawgs Program from UGA OVPI on Vimeo.