Graduate School
Second Majors, Specializations, and Degrees for Graduate Students - 1L12
Second Major
A student may complete a second graduate major (i.e., dual major) under a single degree title (e.g., M.A., M.S., or MBA) by: (1) completing all of the requirements for a degree in the first major; (2) applying to and being admitted to the second major; and (3) completing no less than two-thirds of the total hours required for a degree in the second major as approved by that program as well as all of the requirements for that second major.
A student pursuing a second major concurrently with the first major must obtain approval from both programs for the combination of studies and to jointly satisfy both major program requirements with one committee and one exit requirement (e.g., project, thesis, or final examination).
A student who holds a graduate degree from SIUE may complete a second major at the same degree level and have it added to the official transcript, provided the program offering the second major admits the student for this purpose. Course equivalencies from the former graduate program amounting to no more than one-third of the total hours for a degree in the second major may be considered for application toward the second major.
Second Specialization
A student may complete two or more specializations within a major while pursuing that major by: (1) applying to and being admitted to the additional specializations; and (2) completing all the requirements for the major and for each specialization. Students must complete all the requirements for the additional specialization, except they do not have to repeat courses in common among the specializations as long as the student completes two-thirds of the total hours required for each additional specialization as approved by the department. With departmental approval, a student may jointly satisfy both specialization requirements with one committee and one exit requirement (e.g., project, thesis, or final examination).
Second Degrees
A student pursuing a combined baccalaureate and graduate degree program must adhere to Policy 1L17.
A student may complete two degree programs at the same level (e.g., M.S. and MBA) by (1) completing all of the requirements for one degree; (2) applying to and being admitted to the second degree; and (3) completing no less than two-thirds of the total hours required for the second degree as approved by the program as well as all of the requirements for that second degree.
A student pursuing a second degree concurrently with the first degree must obtain approval from both programs for the combination of studies and to jointly satisfy both degree program requirements with one committee and one exit requirement (e.g., project, thesis, or final examination).
Approved by the Chancellor effective 12/11/2020
This policy was issued on December 21, 2020, replacing the June 15, 2016 version.
Document Reference: 1L12
Origin: Graduate Council; OP 10/7/91; PVC 12/2/99; GR 15/16-04; GR 19/20-14
