Two students are on track to earn an undergraduate degree and MBA from Thomas More in just three years, in what could become a trend for high-achieving students seeking advanced degrees.

Through Thomas More’s 4+1 MBA program, students can earn an undergraduate degree and a Master of Business Administration from the Robert W. Plaster College of Business in just five years. For Clayton Arnett ’26 and Peyton Pérez ’26, that program is being accelerated to a 2+1 MBA format, after both enrolled at Thomas More in the fall of 2024 as first-year students with almost two years‘ worth of college credits completed in high school. This achievement set them both on a path to achieving a bachelor’s degree in 2026, and, through the 4+1 MBA program, both students are on pace to earn an MBA in 2027, just one additional year.

For Pérez, the opportunity to be on the fast track to a master’s degree was one of the reasons she chose to enroll at Thomas More. Pérez is an alumna of Ignite Institute, a STEAM-focused high school created in 2018. It serves as Northern Kentucky’s first regional public school and features a curriculum built around college career pathways. While attending, Pérez earned an associate degree through dual credit offered by Ignite Institute and Gateway Community and Technical College.

As an education scholar focused mainly on preparation for a teaching career, Pérez says she was able to graduate from high school with over 60 college credits. “However, I knew that becoming a teacher and working in education wasn’t for me,” Pérez says, “So I started looking into other programs. A major reason that I chose Thomas More was because of the amazing scholarships I was offered. I am able to attend on almost 80% scholarships, and I pay completely out of pocket for the rest. Meaning, not only will I be graduating early, but also completely debt free.” 

Pérez says that after Thomas More, she hopes to pursue a career in corporate fashion, possibly as a senior buyer for a retailer like Dillard’s or Nordstrom. “Earning an MBA will only help me to achieve this dream, as it shows my dedication to continuing to learn and gain experiences that not only make me a better businesswoman, but also a better leader and team member,” she explains.

Arnett, an Archbishop Moeller High School graduate, entered Thomas More with 58 college credits after passing 11 advanced placement (AP) exams in high school. “I chose to study at Thomas More because it was close to home (I live 30 minutes away in Loveland, Ohio), it allowed me to play college tennis, and I also liked that it was a Catholic school, as I am Catholic,” Arnett says.

Arnett says pursuing an MBA after earning his bachelor’s degree will help him pursue his passion and work with numbers daily. “The MBA focused on data analytics will help in giving me the knowledge and credentials necessary to be successful after college,” Arnett says. “My goal is to get a job which pays $70,000 or more, and the MBA will help to achieve this goal.”

Pérez and Arnett are the first students on track to complete Thomas More’s 4+1 MBA program in just three years. “The accelerated ‘4+1’ MBA program challenges high achieving students to expand their academic capabilities while building on their strengths, preparing them to lead with confidence and purpose,” says John D. (Jack) Rudnick, Jr., Ed.D, professor in the Robert W. Plaster College of Business and director of the MBA program. “This rigorous pathway equips graduates with the skills and mindset employers seek, delivering a high-impact return on investment. Rooted in Catholic values, the program reflects Thomas More’s mission to form ethical leaders who serve, innovate, and succeed.”

The program also underscores a trend in higher education as more students enroll in dual credit programs. According to data analyzed by the Teachers College of Columbia University, nearly 2.5 million high school students across the United States took at least one dual enrollment course from a college or university in the 2022-23 academic year, including nearly 55,000 students in Kentucky.

Thomas More’s dual credit program, led by James Catchen, MPA, has grown significantly over the past few years, welcoming over 1,000 unique students during the 2024-25 academic year. “On the surface, students who take dual credit are doing so at a discounted rate and saving time and money towards their college degree,” Catchen shares.

“But, more than that, the Thomas More Dual Credit program is an opportunity for students to experience what makes our Catholic Liberal Arts education second to none. Our dual credit program is built on the principle of building a bridge for an easier transition between high school and college,” Catchen says.

Interested in learning more? Email Dr. Rudnick at [email protected] to find out more about the 4+1 MBA program. High school students, parents or teachers interested in learning more about the Thomas More Dual Credit program can visit this page, or email James Catchen at [email protected].