Albion College is partnering with Western Michigan University to offer undergraduates majoring inpolitical scienceandreligious studiesan opportunity to get a jump on their master’s degree.

Albion students in these two majors can begin graduate study as much as two full semesters faster thanks to the College’s new “4+1” agreement with Western Michigan launching this fall.

The program allows Albion students to take religious studies courses on campus while working toward a master of arts in comparative religion at WMU, which could result in 12 credit hours toward the M.A. The political science option offers up to nine credit hours toward a master’s degree in political science at WMU.

“These new agreements in religious studies and political science will provide excellent opportunities for Albion undergraduates to acquire a master’s degree on an accelerated timeline,” said Dr. Ron Mourad, Albion College’s interim provost who is also a longtime professor of religious studies. “The Comparative Religion and Political Science departments at WMU offer high-quality, personalized instruction that will feel like a natural extension of the liberal arts undergraduate experience students get from Albion College.”

“This is an ideal partnership between Albion and Western Michigan University that will benefit both schools,” said Dr. Hernan Bucheli, Albion’s vice president for enrollment and strategic initiatives. “Albion has made a point of providing as many opportunities as possible to help our students gain their degrees, prepare for the future and engage in the types of careers that will make a difference in a changing world. We are happy and proud to partner with Western in this endeavor.”

To apply to Albion’s 4+1 programs for this fall visit albion.edu/apply. For more information, contact Corey Grazul, director for strategic initiatives and partnerships in the Office of Admission, at [emailprotected] or 517/629-0757.