Unique Hours

Unique Hours in Accelerated Pathway Programs and Dual Degrees Policy

  • 51³Ô¹ÏÍøoffers a number of accelerated pathway (Bachelor and Master combinations) and dual degree (two Masters degrees) programs. It will limit the amount of double-counting of credits that can occur and establish parameters around that double-counting, consistent with SACSCOC and federal requirements.

Accelerated Pathway Programs

  • The combined total of credit hours in the Bachelors and Masters degrees as awarded must be greater than or equal to 150 credit hours.
  • Hours in excess of 150 may be allowed to “double count” meaning that a single course may count for both degrees.
  • Graduate hours may be counted toward fulfillment of the undergraduate degree, but undergraduate hours may not be counted toward fulfillment of the graduate degree.
  • Core and required courses may not double count toward either degree.
  • The maximimum number of hours that may be double counted is nine, regardless of the total hours in the combined degrees.

Dual Graduate Degrees

  • The combined total of credit hours in the degrees as awarded must be greater than or equal to 60 credit hours.
  • Hours in excess of 60 may be allowed to “double count” meaning that a single course may count for both degrees.
  • Core and required courses may not double count toward either degree.
  • The maximimum number of hours that may be double counted is nine, regardless of the total hours in the combined degrees.*
  • The precise number of credit hours that will be allowed to overlap or double-count in any particular combination is dependent upon the particular curricular structure of each degree program, not simply a matter of the total of combined hours.
  • Departments proposing accelerated pathway or dual degree programs must clearly demonstrated that the integrity and coherence of each degree program is maintained.
  • Any dual or joint degree program must be specifically proposed and approved as such through the Educational Programs Committee and the Board of Trustees and must appear in the 51³Ô¹ÏÍøcatalog as a defined joint or dual degree program.