Dual or Joint-Degree Graduate Programs

Office of Graduate Programs
251 Frances Willson Thompson Library
(810) 762-3171
Fax: (810) 766-6789
Email: FlintGradOffice@umich.edu
http://www.umflint.edu/graduateprograms

The University of Michigan-Flint provides arrangements for students to pursue two degrees simultaneously. Dual degree and joint-degree programs lead to two different degree citations on the transcript and two separate diplomas.

The current list of approved Dual Degree Programs is listed here and joint-degrees here.

Dual Degree Programs

The purpose of a dual degree program is to allow students to undertake complementary programs of graduate study simultaneously through streamlined curricular arrangements that allow double-counting of some courses (see below for details). UM-Flint offers pre-approved dual degree programs and provides opportunities for students to initiate dual degree programs independently. Students should contact the graduate program(s) directly for more detailed information and additional program-specific requirements. For more information on Dual Degree programs, visit www.umflint.edu/graduateprograms/dual-degree-programs.

Joint-Degree Programs

The joint program curriculum allows students to earn undergraduate and graduate credits simultaneously, which then count for both their bachelor’s and master’s degrees. The graduate credit hours that satisfy undergraduate degree requirements also reduce the credit hours needed for the graduate degree and are typically referred to as double counting or credit sharing. Accelerated programs that rely on double counting to reduce time-to-degree are often called “4+1, 3+2 or 3+3 accelerated programs”. For example, a 3+2 program would be three years of undergraduate and two years of graduate study leading to both undergraduate and graduate degrees. Review the complete list of joint degree programs here.

Applying for a Dual or Joint-Degree Program

To pursue a dual or joint degree, a student must apply and receive admission to the programs for which they are interested. For dual degree programs, students must apply to both graduate programs (See the process below). In contrast, a joint-degree student can be considered for one joint-degree program and must apply in their junior year for the graduate program of interest. For dual degree programs, admission to one program does not guarantee admission into another.

For Dual Degree Students:

Current UM-Flint graduate students and alumni: Those who are currently admitted to or enrolled in a UM-Flint graduate program or who have graduated with a graduate degree from UM-Flint must submit the following to the Office of Graduate Programs:

Application for Dual Degree or Change of Program.
New Statement of Purpose as required by the proposed program of study emailed to FlintGradOffice@umich.edu.
Academic transcripts of coursework taken at any other institution attended if you have attended elsewhere since your admission to the first graduate program of study at UM-Flint.
Other documents as required for admission by the proposed program of study.

New UM-Flint graduate students (not admitted to or graduated from any UM-Flint graduate program): A separate Graduate Application for Admission and all required supporting documents are required for admission into each program. See each program’s admission page for more information.

Double-Counting Credit Hours for Dual Degree Programs

Students in an Approved Dual Degree Program
Students in dual degree programs may double-count a limited number of credit hours toward the requirements of both degrees. This number may vary by program.

To preserve the integrity of each degree, at least half of the minimum required credit hours for each degree must be earned in the program under a UM-Flint registration and counted solely for that degree. For example, a student enrolled in a 36-hour master’s degree program may not apply more than a combination of 18 transfer and/or double-counted credit hours toward the UM-Flint program.

Students in a Self-Initiated Dual Degree Program
Students may pursue a dual-degree arrangement with two master’s programs that are not among the already approved dual-degree programs. Students are required to complete both programs’ requirements, allowing for double-counting of coursework as approved. To request double counting in a self-initiated dual degree program, a student must complete a dual degree course election form no later than one term before completing the second degree.

Students pursuing at least one Rackham program use the Dual Degree Course Election - Rackham Programs form; students pursuing two non-Rackham programs use the Dual Degree Course Election form.

When considering an approved or self-initiated dual degree program, review the following policy.

Joint-Degree Policy
This policy exists for the purpose of computing the double-counting of credit hours for University of Michigan-Flint graduate students pursuing joint-degrees outside of a Rackham-approved program.