Dual Degrees/Double Major/Multiple Degrees Download to print

Dual Degrees / Double Major: In certain cases students may be able to complete the requirements for more than one academic major through either a double major or a dual-degree program of study. A double-major program of study combines two major fields of study within the same degree program. Students completing a double major are awarded a single degree with two majors. Students pursuing a double major for a bachelor’s degree must complete a minimum 121 semester hours.

A dual degree combines two majors from distinct degree programs. Any combination of major fields of study involving undergraduate degree programs in more than one college is a dual degree even if both degrees bear the same title. Students completing a dual degree are awarded two distinct degrees. Students pursuing a dual degree at the baccalaureate level must complete a minimum of 140 total semester hours. Students pursuing concurrent associate degrees must successfully complete all the requirements for both and a minimum of 15 credit hours beyond those required for the primary degree. Because of the similarity in program requirements, the Associate of Arts and the Associate of Science degrees may not be earned concurrently; nor may either be awarded as an additional degree when one or the other has been previously conferred.

Certain major combinations are not appropriate and are not permitted by the colleges. Students interested in a double major or dual degree must consult the offices of the appropriate colleges and/or campus to determine whether the desired combination of majors is permitted. Students seeking concurrent associate degrees must be in good academic standing and enrolled officially for a first, or primary, associate degree. If the combination is permitted, the college offices will assist the students in formally declaring the degrees/majors and will provide the students with major sheets for both of the degrees/majors showing the course requirements to be satisfied for both majors. The students must complete all requirements for both degrees/majors.

Students who hold an associate, bachelor’s or graduate degree and wish to pursue an associate degree may do so by successfully completing all program and residency requirements, in addition to a minimum 15 semester hours.

Students are required to file a graduation application for each degree/major program of study. Students must officially declare any degree/major in time to meet the graduation application deadline for the semester in which they expect to complete the program of study.

Multiple Degrees: A student may work simultaneously or sequentially on any of the following if the departments involved believe there is good reason for so doing and will admit the student to both programs:

• A master’s degree and a baccalaureate in two different disciplines
• Master’s degrees of two designations in one discipline
• Master’s degrees of one or two designations in two disciplines
• Doctorates in two different disciplines
• Doctorate in one discipline and a master’s or baccalaureate in another discipline

Persons having a doctorate will not be permitted to work on a second degree from the same department with a different emphasis.

Courses to be counted toward both programs (double counted) shall be determined by the department(s), but in no case may the number of credits exceed 12 credits for the master’s degree (except for the special cases listed below) or equivalent of a master’s degree plus 12 credits for the doctorate. The appropriate college dean(s) involved shall be notified of these decisions.

Exceptions to the 12-credit-double-count policy for dual degree and multiple degree programs:.

• When one of the degrees is the Master of Fine Arts, a two-year degree, the courses to be double counted shall not exceed 26 credits.
• Students pursuing the Master of Business Administration and the Master of Science in Nursing degrees may double count a maximum of 28 credits.
• Students pursuing the Master of Business Administration and the Master of Library and Information Science degrees may double count a maximum of 28 credits.
• Students pursuing the Master of Science degree in Information Architecture and Knowledge Management and the Master of Arts degree in Journalism and Mass Communication may double count a maximum of 28 credits.
• Students pursuing the Master of Science degree in Information Architecture and Knowledge Management and the Master of Library and Information Science degree may double count a maximum of 24 credits.
• Students pursuing the Master of Education degree in Instructional Technology and the Master of Library and Information and Information Science degree (Dual Degree MEd/MLIS School Library concentration for both) may double count a maximum 27 credits.