Published July 23, 2026

One NYU, Multiple Degrees: Many Ways to Be a Violet

Alumni Campus Resources Majors & Programs

Two students chatting on a city sidewalk outside an academic building, with NYU banners and pedestrians in the background.

When you think of a typical college journey, you probably picture a straight four-year line to graduation. But at NYU, the path to a degree—or two, or four—is rarely that straightforward. In fact, it’s not uncommon for students to receive multiple degrees, as one opportunity naturally leads to the next.

Whether you want to fast-track your education through an accelerated program or return to the classroom after entering the workforce, NYU offers numerous paths to get multiple degrees. A perfect example is Parker Hollingsworth, a quadruple Violet who has spent the last decade experiencing NYU from almost every angle imaginable.

Parker sitting on large colorful blocks in an installation at MOMA PS1.

The Quadruple Violet Path

Parker arrived at NYU in 2015, spending a transformative first year studying away with the Liberal Studies Program at NYU Florence. After returning to New York City, he found his calling while working as a student employee at the Bobst Library SPARK Lab. “Working with professors as a student helped me find a career path in education that really excited me,” he explains. By his junior year, he transitioned to the Gallatin School of Individualized Study, concentrating in adaptive learning through game design.

His student job opened the door to a full-time role as an instructional designer at the Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development right after graduation. Using NYU’s tuition remission benefits, Parker began a master’s program in Digital Media Design for Learning, graduating in 2022. “I wanted to learn more about how people learn using technology,” he recalls. “It helped me grow in my role to become a better instructional designer.”

And Parker didn’t stop there. Driven by a passion for travel and encouraged by strong faculty mentors, he earned a second master’s in International Education in 2025. Today, he is continuing his studies as a part-time doctoral student at Steinhardt, pursuing his PhD. “The team at my NYU job is flexible and interested in me pursuing projects related to my studies,” he says.

Parker stands at a podium, smiling beside a presentation slide.

Growing Up in the NYU Ecosystem

For Parker, navigating four distinct degree paths came down to the University’s community. Throughout his journey he’s made countless connections that have helped him access new opportunities and determine the best way forward. “I’ve grown up in this position, and I’ve grown up through these degrees. Since then, it’s just been nonstop,” Parker reflects. “I’ve been at NYU now for over 10 years in varying capacities. I’m excited about what comes next.”

With his PhD underway, Parker hopes to try teaching at an international university like NYU. For prospective students considering a degree (or four!) at NYU, he notes that the University and the city itself provide the ultimate backdrop for discovering your path. “I stayed because I don’t think there’s a better city in the United States,” he affirms. “There’s so much diversity and so many options for employment but also for fun and activities and travel and lights everywhere. It’s a really different place from wherever you’re from—it’s way more interesting.”

Navigating Multiple Degrees at NYU

While Parker’s decade-long, four-degree journey highlights the power of continuing education as an NYU student and employee, you don’t have to wait until you graduate to plan your next academic step. If you already know you want to pursue a graduate degree, NYU offers structured undergraduate-to-graduate tracks that save significant time and money.

Depending on your interests, you can choose between single-school programs or cross-school collaborations. For example:

The Meyers College of Nursing BS/MS Program allows future health-care leaders to seamlessly prepare for advanced practice roles.
At Tandon School of Engineering, the BS/MS Track lets students tackle advanced engineering principles early.
Wagner Graduate School of Public Service’s bachelor’s-master’s tracks prepare students for careers in public service.
The Steinhardt and Tisch School of the Arts’ dual degree provides a BFA in Theatre and an MA in Performing Arts Administration, bridging creativity and business.

Spotlight: The GPH 4+1 Program

A prime example of an accelerated track is the School of Global Public Health’s (GPH) 4+1 Program. Here, students earn both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in just five years. After applying in their junior year, students take graduate courses that count toward both degrees, saving a full year of tuition. You can hear current 4+1 students discuss their experiences on GPH’s recent podcast episode about the program.

For Nehanda Akili, a recent graduate who earned her master’s in Biostatistics through 4+1, the program provided a perfect bridge between her different fields of interest. After starting at Gallatin—where she concentrated on fascism in public health—she wanted to expand her quantitative skills. “It was a little overwhelming at first,” she admits, “but people were so nice. Ultimately, it was one of the best experiences I had at NYU. It led me to be the president of a university club, join the consulting lab, and do research for actual doctors and physicians,” she says. In the end, she adds, “It goes by way faster than you think. So, another year is nothing, and it’s so beneficial.”