St. Cloud State University Policies & Procedures

Additional Majors, Masters, and Dual Degrees Link☍

Create PDF: Additional Majors, Masters, and Dual Degrees

Current Status: Approved

Policy Type: Academic

Department/Division: School of Graduate Studies

Effective Date: 11/26/2019

Last Updated: 02/13/2023

Applies To: Students, Faculty, Staff

Responsible University Officer: Provost/Vice President for Academic Affairs

Policy Owner: Associate Provost for Research and Dean of Graduate Studies

Policy Contact: Director of Graduate Student Services

Rationale

St. Cloud State University endeavors to provide options for students to continue their education and pursue marketable degrees.

Policy

St. Cloud State University allows for the completion of a double major or second major within one graduate degree program. However, a second major is not allowed in special studies if the first major was already in special studies. It is also possible to complete an additional master’s degree by completing a minimum of 30 new credits beyond those earned for the previous master’s degree (see credit requirements for desired program). Dual degree programs that have been established through the University curriculum process or requested by a student and approved by the graduate programs and the School of Graduate Studies are also a degree option. To receive a dual degree the student must complete the total number of credits required for both degrees. There are a limited number of credits that can be applied to both degrees (typically 9-15 graduate credits).

For a description of each degree type, see the definitions section. Before planning or undertaking any of these options, a student must work with program advisors and the graduate school to ensure such a program is acceptable and possible.

Once a degree has been awarded none of the credits used to earn that degree can be applied to another degree except as part of an approved dual degree or accelerated 5-year program. Students seeking an additional degree must take into account the impact of University policy on satisfactory progress and financial aid eligibility.

Procedure

Double/Second Majors: If a student wishes to complete a major in a second field, the following requirements must be satisfied:

The student must apply and be admitted to the School of Graduate Studies and the additional graduate program or major of interest through the online application. Admission to previous graduate degrees does not guarantee admission to a new program or major (see supporting URLs).
For a double major, the student must submit an approved program of study which meets the core requirements of the second program.
For a second major, the student must submit an approved program of study which meets all the requirements of the degree program. Courses taken as part of a current or previous master's degree may be applied to these requirements. Completion of the core courses or core courses plus research, may be required as part of the program of study. At least 10 additional credits must be earned at SCSU. No additional degree will be awarded by St. Cloud State University.
The student must satisfactorily complete a culminating project or experience in the major field in which the double major/second major is being pursued.
The student must satisfy all other requirements as specified at the time of acceptance into the program, or as described in graduate policies.

Dual Degrees: If a student wishes to complete a dual degree, the following requirements must be satisfied:

The student must apply and be admitted to the School of Graduate Studies and to both graduate programs through the online application. Currently admitted graduate students seeking to complete a dual degree must apply for admission to the second degree program prior to completion of 21 graduate credits to ensure eligibility for shared credits (see supporting URLs).
Faculty/departments may establish dual degree programs through the University curriculum process and must specify the total number of required, elective, and joint credits for each degree. The student should familiarize themselves with the credit requirements before applying for a dual degree.
If the existing portfolio of dual program options does not meet a student’s needs, they may design or suggest a dual program via the dual-degree program of study. Students seeking to design a dual degree will want to consult with the School of Graduate Studies and both programs prior to applying for admission to a second degree program.
The student must satisfactorily complete a culminating project or experience that meets the completion requirements for each degree. A joint culminating project or culminating experience must be sufficient to meet the completion requirements for each degree.

Related St. Cloud State University Policies

5 Year Accelerated Degree (Bachelor’s to Master’s Track)

Supporting URLs

Websites, Related External Documents, Statutes

Graduate Studies Admission

Graduate Studies Application Instructions

Graduate Program Petition Form

Definitions

Additional Degree	The completion of two master’s degrees earned in two separate graduate degree programs without shared credit. Two separate degrees are awarded and listed on the transcript.
Double Major	The completion of two majors earned in one graduate degree program (e.g. two MA, two MS) while an enrolled graduate student. It is not possible to double major within mixed degree types (ie. cannot add an MA major to an MS degree). One degree is awarded with both majors listed on the transcript.
Dual Degree	The completion of two master’s degrees earned in two separate graduate degree programs with shared credit. Degrees are earned by completing an approved number of credits in each graduate program and a specified number of joint credits (typically 9-15 graduate credits). Two separate degrees are awarded and listed on the transcript.
Second Major	The completion of a new major earned in one graduate degree program of the same degree type (e.g. an MA or MS) at SCSU after a graduate degree in a different major has already been earned through SCSU. No additional degree is awarded, but the additional major is added to the existing degree on the transcript.

Contacts

Responsible University Officer Zink, Abbey L. Provost/Vice President for Academic Affairs	abbey.zink@stcloudstate.edu 320-308-3143
Owner Tomany, Maria-Claudia C. Associate Provost for Research and Dean of Graduate Studies	claudia.tomany@stcloudstate.edu 320-308-2126
Contact Guentzel, Melanie J. Director of Graduate Student Services	mjguentzel@stcloudstate.edu 320-308-2194

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