Dual Master's Degrees

Dual degree programs allow for interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary education experiences that prepare students for multifaceted professional careers. Dual master’s degree programs may be structured or individual. Structured programs are university-approved dual master’s programs that integrate the curricula and objectives of the component degrees. If a structured program is not available, individual dual-degree programs allow a student to design a plan of study that will result in the award of two master’s degrees. 
 

Structured dual master's programs:

  • Structured dual master’s programs should satisfy the program and learning objective of both master’s degree programs.
  • The two master’s programs must be on the same term system (e.g., both on 15-week semesters or both on 12-week terms). 
  • No fewer than 30 unique credits should be completed in each degree. Programs proposing structured dual master’s degrees with fewer than 30 unique credits should articulate a compelling rationale for the exception (e.g., dedicated capstone or other courses for the dual-degree program that satisfy the learning objectives for both degrees). 
  • 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). 
  • All structured dual master’s programs must be approved by the Graduate Programs, Curricula, and Courses (PCC) Committee. 
  • The student’s GPA will be calculated as the combined GPA for both programs. Separate GPAs cannot be provided. 

Individual dual master's programs:

  • The student must be in good academic standing. 
  • The two master’s programs must be on the same term system (e.g., both on 15-week semesters or both on 12-week terms).
  • No fewer than 30 unique credits must be completed in each degree program. 
  • 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. 
  • A Dual Master’s Plan of Study must be reviewed and approved by the directors of graduate study for both graduate programs. This plan must be approved by the Graduate School. Copies of this plan must be placed in the student’s file in each program. 
  • The student’s GPA will be calculated as the combined GPA for both programs. Separate GPAs cannot be provided.