Dual Graduate Degrees

Dual graduate degree programs allow for interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary educational experiences that prepare students for multifaceted professional careers. Dual graduate degree programs (e.g., dual master’s; doctoral/master’s; doctoral/doctoral) may be structured or individual. Structured programs are university-approved dual degree programs that integrate the curricula and objectives of the component degrees from different disciplines. If a structured program is not available, individual dual-degree programs allow a student to design a plan of study that would result in the awarding of two graduate degrees. 

Structured dual graduate programs:

  • Structured dual graduate degree programs should satisfy the program and learning objectives of both graduate degree programs.
  • The student must be in good academic standing. 
  • The two graduate degree programs must be on the same term system (e.g., both on 15-week semesters or both on 12-week terms). 
  • No more than one-quarter of the total credit hours of both programs can double-count for the dual-degree program. Programs proposing to double-count more than one-quarter of the total credits should articulate a compelling rationale for the exception (e.g., substantial overlap in the curriculum of the individual degrees). 
  • When combining two master’s degree programs, no fewer than 12 unique credits (for thesis degrees) or 18 unique credits (for non-thesis degrees) should be completed in each degree program. 
  • Dual doctoral degrees may consist of a PhD with a professional doctoral degree. 
  • All structured dual graduate degree programs must be approved by the Graduate Programs, Curricula, and Courses (PCC) Committee as part of the regular PCC approval process. 
  • The student’s GPA will be calculated as the combined GPA for both programs. Separate GPAs cannot be provided. 

Individual dual graduate programs:

  • Individual dual graduate degree programs should satisfy the program and learning objectives of both graduate degree programs.
  • The student must be in good academic standing. 
  • Both graduate departments/programs must agree to the dual-degree enrollment.
  • The two graduate degree programs must be on the same term system (e.g., both on 15-week semesters or both on 12-week terms).
  • No more than one-quarter of the total credit hours of both programs should be double-counted for the dual program. The maximum number of credits that may be double-counted is determined by adding the minimum number of credits required for each program and dividing by four, rounding any fraction down to the nearest whole number. 
  • Final projects such as theses, capstones, and final papers should be preserved from both programs unless the directors of graduate study of each program find there is reasonable and sufficient overlap. 
  • When combining two master’s degree programs, no fewer than 12 unique credits (for thesis degrees) or 18 unique credits (for non-thesis degrees) should be completed in each degree program. 
  • Dual doctoral degrees may consist of a PhD with a professional doctoral degree. 
  • An appropriate Plan of Study must be reviewed and approved by the directors of graduate study for both graduate programs. For dual doctoral programs, a written plan for the dual enrollment must be worked out between the two departments/programs regarding credits, advising, semester loads, etc. Copies of this plan must be placed in the student's file in each program and a copy sent to the Graduate School to be included in the student's records. This plan must be approved by the Graduate School, using the Individual Dual Master's Degree Form or the Dual Master's and Doctoral Program Form. 
  • For dual doctoral/master’s programs, the student's doctoral program will be designated as the primary degree and the masters program will be designated as the secondary degree. Students enrolled in dual-degree programs will only receive an overall GPA, which reflects their combined performance in the two programs. Separate GPAs will not be provided. Students therefore should be advised that poor performance in their masters program would affect their overall GPA as it is calculated on their transcript.