Joint Degrees and Graduate Pathways
Continue your education. Expand your opportunities.
Through partnerships with leading universities and professional schools, HWS students can build on a liberal arts education by earning multiple degrees, accelerating graduate study and preparing for careers in engineering, business, law, nursing, public policy, international affairs and more.
Working closely with faculty advisors, students can explore opportunities that align with their academic interests and career goals, gaining access to graduate and professional programs while benefiting from the personalized education that defines the HWS experience.
Each partnership offers a unique pathway, but all are designed to help students continue their education and prepare for meaningful careers. Explore the programs below to learn about eligibility, participating institutions and the academic opportunities available in each field.
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Earn your bachelor's degree from HWS and a Juris Doctor from Cornell Law School in six years through the Law Early Admission Program (LEAP). Students complete three years at HWS before beginning law school at Cornell, building on a strong liberal arts foundation while accelerating their path to a legal career.
Cornell Law School 3+3 LEAP -
Through this accelerated 4+1 pathway, qualified HWS students can earn a bachelor’s degree from HWS and a specialized Master of Science from Johns Hopkins in just five years. The program offers graduate options in high-demand business fields and allows students to begin their master’s coursework while completing their senior year at HWS.
Johns Hopkins Carey Business School -
Earn your HWS degree and a Simon Business School master's degree in just five years through the Business Master's Pathway. Qualified students benefit from early admission opportunities, graduate-level career support and a guaranteed 30% tuition scholarship while preparing for careers in accounting, finance, analytics, marketing, artificial intelligence and business leadership.
University of Rochester Simon Business School -
Prepare for a career in nursing through HWS' partnership with the University of Rochester School of Nursing. After earning a bachelor's degree from HWS, students can pursue either an Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) or a Master's Direct Entry (MDE) in Nursing Practice.
University of Rochester School of Nursing -
Earn bachelor's degrees from HWS and Dartmouth through a five-year joint degree program that combines a liberal arts education with professional engineering training. Students complete coursework at both institutions, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science from HWS and a Bachelor of Engineering from Dartmouth.
Dartmouth College Thayer School of Engineering -
HWS economics students can take advantage of a pathway to graduate study at the Levy Economics Institute at Bard College, with guaranteed admission to select master's programs in economic theory and policy. Through coordinated advising and a streamlined application process, students can build on their HWS degree while preparing for advanced study in economics.
Levy Economics Institute of Bard College -
HWS STEM students can pursue a master's degree in engineering or computer science through a direct admission pathway with Syracuse University. Qualified students gain streamlined access to graduate programs in fields including biomedical engineering, cybersecurity, environmental engineering and computer science, building on the strong scientific foundation of an HWS liberal arts education.
Syracuse University College of Engineering & COmputer Science -
Prepare for a career in criminal justice through HWS' partnership with Niagara University. After earning a bachelor's degree from HWS, students can apply selected undergraduate coursework toward a Master of Science in Criminal Justice, allowing them to complete the graduate degree in as few as two additional semesters.
Niagara University -
Earn bachelor's degrees from HWS and Columbia University through a five-year joint degree program that combines a liberal arts education with rigorous engineering training. Students spend three years at HWS followed by two years at Columbia, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science from HWS and a Bachelor of Science in Engineering from Columbia.
Columbia University School of Engineering and APplied Science -
Prepare for graduate study in international affairs through a partnership with The Fletcher School at Tufts University. HWS students receive priority admission and guaranteed scholarship consideration and may defer enrollment for up to two years while pursuing experiences such as a Fulbright, Peace Corps service or other approved post-graduate opportunities.
The Fletcher School at Tufts University -
Prepare for careers in public service through an accelerated pathway to the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs. Qualified HWS students can begin graduate coursework during their senior year, receive a substantial scholarship and complete a master's degree in international relations or public administration up to one semester early.
Syracuse University Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs -
Accelerate your path to an MBA through HWS' partnership with RIT Saunders College of Business. Qualified graduates may waive select MBA foundation courses based on undergraduate coursework, allowing them to complete the degree in as few as two or three semesters while preparing for leadership at the intersection of business and technology.
RIT Saunders College of Business
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
These programs allow HWS students to combine their liberal arts education with an accelerated or streamlined path to a graduate or professional degree at a partner institution.
Not necessarily. The timeline varies by program. Some students begin planning in their first or second year, while others apply later in their HWS experience. Talk with your faculty advisor early to understand your options.
No. You can explore these opportunities as your interests develop. Your faculty advisor can help you identify pathways that fit your academic and career goals.
Yes. Each pathway has its own academic requirements, but the programs are designed to build on an HWS bachelor's degree and, in some cases, allow graduate coursework to count toward the overall pathway.
Yes. Depending on the program, you may earn an HWS bachelor's degree along with a second bachelor's, master's or professional degree from a partner institution.
It depends on the program. Some pathways allow students to earn an additional degree in five years rather than pursuing the degrees separately; others accelerate graduate study by allowing students to begin graduate coursework while completing their HWS degree.
Yes. Students in these programs remain active members of the HWS community and can participate in athletics, student organizations, research, internships, study abroad and other opportunities.
Eligibility varies by program. Some have specific academic, course or application requirements, so students should review the requirements and work with their advisor to determine whether a pathway is a good fit.
Some do. For example, the Simon Business School pathway includes a guaranteed 30% tuition scholarship for qualified students, while other partnerships offer scholarship consideration or substantial scholarships. Benefits vary by program.
Participating in a pathway does not mean you have to give up the full HWS experience or a different career direction. Because requirements vary, students should work with their advisor before making changes to their academic plan.
Start with your faculty advisor or the academic department connected to the program. They can help you understand the requirements, timeline and how the pathway fits with your HWS academic plan.
A joint degree or graduate pathway can give you a more direct route to advanced study while preserving the breadth and flexibility of an HWS liberal arts education. Depending on the program, you may also benefit from accelerated study, early or priority admission, scholarships or other advantages.