Bethany College Partners with WVU Reed College of Media, Announces 4 + 1 Program

BETHANY, W.Va. – Bethany College is proud to announce its newest opportunity for students interested in graduate programs—the West Virginia University Reed College of Media Partnership. 

On October 6th, Bethany College President Dr. Jamie Caridi and West Virginia University Board of Governors signed the dual agreement between the two Mountain State institutions. This agreement provides Bethany business and communication students with three different graduate level programs—integrated marketing communications (IMC), data marketing, and digital marketing. The 4 + 1 program is currently available for current WVU students, but thanks to this agreement, is now open to select Bethany students. This is yet another way Bethany continues to make higher education affordable. 

“Bethany College is very proud to announce our partnership with WVU’s Reed College of Media where our students will have an accelerated and automatic pathway to complete the master’s degree in marketing communications at WVU,” says Caridi. “I am especially grateful to WVU and the Reed College of Media for each year funding five scholarships to our top seniors who will begin their master’s coursework while completing their studies here at Bethany. We have a rich and storied history of graduating exceptional alumni in the field of communications and marketing here at Bethany College and this partnership with WVU helps to ensure a future that will continue that tradition.” 

This agreement gives students the opportunity to attend WVU as a visiting student for an intro course during their senior year at Bethany. WVU graduate programs typically take 16 months to complete, but with this agreement, students will be able to complete the graduate program in one year— saving them both time and money.  

The Reed College of Media will also be offering five scholarship seats each semester for the intro class to Bethany seniors, regardless of home state, allowing them to complete the eight-week course for free.  

“Like our colleagues at Bethany College, we’re dedicated to providing West Virginians with access to quality education, and this partnership will play a significant role in doing just that,” says Diana Martinelli, dean of WVU Reed College of Media. “Now, Bethany’s exceptional students have an opportunity to begin their master’s degree early and experience our college’s renowned online programs while completing their undergraduate education.” 

To qualify for this program, Bethany students will be required to have a 3.0 cumulative GPA at point of application and a 3.4 GPA by Fall of their junior year. They must also write a statement of purpose for the program. Upon successful completion of the intro course, students will be automatically inducted into the WVU program pending graduation.  

The partnership is set to roll out this spring, allowing current Bethany business and communication seniors to apply.  

View more photos from the signing here.