Certificates and Degrees Completed Simultaneously

Some students may wish to pursue dual enrollment in more than one graduate certificate and/or degree program. Dual enrollment is not offered as a matter of general practice, but rather to meet a student’s unique academic and professional goals by combining existing curricula and creating an integrated Plan of Study between the cooperating programs. Each certificate and degree program has distinct requirements and some programs may not lend themselves to dual enrollment.

Each of the two programs is considered to be a full and complete program with equal value to two programs completed in sequence; neither is to be considered supplementary or minor in scope.

Students who are currently enrolled in one program (certificate or degree) and are considering dual enrollment must obtain the permission of both programs before applying to the second program. Students considering pursuing dual enrollment from the start should consult with both programs before enrolling in both programs simultaneously. Program directors may consider the following factors when determining whether to support a student’s request for dual enrollment:

The student’s prior academic performance, current academic standing, and future career goals
Ability to meet learning objectives for both programs
Time commitment for each program.
Timing of courses (sequences)
Internship commitment (if required) and ability to meet the requirements of both.
Timing of student request for dual enrollment (e.g., is the request at least 2 semesters in advance of the anticipated graduation date?)
Potential to tailor course assignments to meet both programs’ objectives

Creation of Advisory Committee

To coordinate dual enrollment, the student should consult with the directors of each program and undertake the creation of an advisory committee, consisting of one academic advisor from each program. This committee will assist the student in planning a sequence of courses that provides adequate training in each field and that meets the requirements of each program.

Reduction of Credit Totals Resulting from Overlapping Core Courses

In general, the pursuit of cooperative, simultaneous programs will involve the completion of all the requirements of each program and thus will normally require students to complete all required and elective courses included in each program’s plan of study. In some instances, core or elective courses may align well with the Plan of Study in one or both programs, enabling students to pursue a reduction of credits (e.g. the total number of credits taken is less than the sum of the requirements of both programs). For example, a student may be eligible for a reduction in minimum credits toward the degree when an internship experience is designed to meet both programs’ requirements or when one plan of study includes an elective course topic that can be met through the other program’s plan of study (e.g. a research elective) with the approval of both program directors.

To be eligible for a reduction in total credits, students must enroll in the second program no later than two semesters before their expected graduation from the first program.

For dual graduate programs with combined credit hour requirements of 40 or fewer credits, a maximum of 3 credits may be applied to both programs.
For dual graduate programs with combined credit hour requirements of 41 to 75 credits, a maximum of 6 credits may be applied to both programs.
For dual graduate programs with combined credit hour requirements of more than 75 credit hours, a maximum of 9 credits may be applied to both programs.

After the student has successfully completed the courses (with a grade of B or above), both program directors must communicate to the Registrar’s Office which courses will apply to both programs and result in a reduction of total credits required. The description of cooperative, simultaneous certificate procedures is intended for students who are able to pursue two programs simultaneously. Programs completed in sequence are not eligible for the reduction of credits from overlapping courses taken as a part of the earlier program.