The Way it Works
Joint Graduate Pathways- Joint graduate pathways provide qualified master’s students with an opportunity to earn two master’s degrees or master’s/professional degrees from two academic degree programs. Joint graduate pathways share academic content that allows a student to expand their breadth of knowledge and content expertise to include additional domains not covered in a single degree. All post-baccalaureate degree programs must have at least 30 unique hours of coursework. Upon approval, joint graduate pathways allow graduate/professional courses in excess of the 30-hour minimum to be shared with, or double-counted, toward both degree programs.
Shared-Credits- “Shared credits” refers to the use of a limited number of credit hours toward the requirements of two separate degree programs. The principle of shared credits allows the student to earn two degrees for fewer total credit hours than would normally be required if both academic degree programs were taken independently. Academic programs must provide strong academic justification for the use of shared hours between the two degrees involved in the pathway that explains how program integrity is maintained or enhanced.
Steps to Take
Applicants must complete an application to the Office of Graduate Admissions and must be admitted to each academic program separately, meeting all of the admission requirements for the program, such as applicable entrance exams (e.g., GRE, GMAT, LSAT). Students completing joint degrees receive two diplomas, one for each degree.
Interested students should contact the respective department/unit for more information regarding admissions criteria and general program requirements.
Note: Upon completion of a joint graduate pathway, a student will earn two separate degrees, one for each degree.