Simultaneous Enrollment in Two Graduate Programs
Graduate students may enroll in and pursue no more than two graduate programs (certificate, master's and/or doctoral) simultaneously. Students must complete and submit the Dual Enrollment request form to the Office of the Registrar, for enrollment in two master’s degrees, enrollment in a doctoral program and a master's degree, or for adding a master’s degree to existing enrollment in a certificate program. Students adding a certificate program to an existing master’s program see Enrollment in Related Certificate Programs section. Additional documentation (i.e. personal statement, CV) may be required for admission to the additional program. The Registrar will consult with the student’s current adviser and director of the second graduate program. After consultation and review of the student’s transcripts, a decision will be rendered. The final decision of acceptance or denial resides with the program directors. Pursuit of two graduate degree programs will not be a justifiable excuse for requesting an extension of the time limit for program completion in any one program.
The following guidelines apply to students pursuing two master’s degree programs simultaneously:
- The student must successfully complete a minimum of 9 credits in their first master's or doctoral degree program before requesting acceptance into a second degree program;
- The student must maintain a cumulative graduate GPA of 3.0 for good academic standing and degree conferral. In addition, a minimum GPA of 3.0 in courses for each degree is required.
- Up to six hours of graduate credit may be applied from the first degree program to the second one. If programs share additional course requirements, the student may be waived from completing the coursework in the second degree program but will have to replace it with appropriate electives subject to the approval of the student’s adviser and program director. An exception to this policy includes students who complete a graduate certificate program prior to enrollment in a related master’s degree (see Transfer of Credit Section);
- Degree completion will be calculated and handled separately for each degree program. All processes must be addressed separately for each program. This includes time limits and petitions to graduate;
- The student’s transcript will note both graduate programs;
- Academic and financial holds apply to the student and not the degree program. For example, a financial hold placed on a student’s records as a result of a payment issue for a course in one degree program can prevent the student from pursuing courses in the second degree program;
- Tuition rates are based on the student’s primary program of enrollment.