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Dual-Title Degree Programs

Dual-Title Degree Programs

(Approved by Graduate Council 11/20/02)

Definition and Policy:

The dual-title degree program is different from a degree program with a minor. The minor is not noted on the student's diploma and the student can qualify for a minor by taking the number and type of courses as described in the Penn State Graduate Degree Programs Bulletin. In the case of a dual-title degree program, the student must apply to and be admitted to the secondary area of study for dual-title status. The student's diploma (master's and/or doctorate) carries the name of both the major and the dual-title offering.

A student can apply for a dual-title degree only after being enrolled in an existing graduate program. Such students have a primary program in which the greater portion of the work is conducted, which constitutes the major program. A secondary area of study, in which substantial course work is carried out under the supervision of a faculty advisor from that area, constitutes the dual-title degree. The secondary area of study cannot exist as a separate (primary or major) degree program. The intent of any dual-title offering would be the addition of valuable course work not currently prescribed for an already existing graduate degree program (the primary program), and integration of the dual-title area of study into a thesis or dissertation [and exams (eg., candidacy, comprehensive), in the case of doctoral programs].

Guidelines:

In order for a dual-title degree to be established, an existing primary program must have previously agreed to the desirability of adding such a course of study, and will have detailed in writing the rationale and requirements of this course of study. The Graduate Council must approve any newly constituted dual-title degree. Additional primary (graduate) programs added to an existing dual-title offering, must be approved by the Graduate Council Committee on Programs and Courses. The secondary area of study must have a graduate student handbook describing its expectations for participation by dual-title students. For example, dual-title students may be expected to regularly attend weekly seminars scheduled by the secondary area of study.

Proposals for new dual-title degree programs should also address the rationale for the creation of the dual-title degree. The proposal should show the advantages to be conferred by the dual-title degree beyond those in existing alternative paths (e.g., graduate minors). A proposal might address such issues as the existence of current and sufficient demand by students for such a program, and the enhanced employment opportunities for dual-title degree graduates. Primary programs seeking to add an existing dual-title degree should similarly show the advantages to be conferred.

Primary programs participating in a dual-title degree should develop sections in their graduate student handbooks that outline the nature of the dual-title degree; stipulate the array of courses typically taken; and detail other structural and practical requirements of a dual-title degree. Other primary programs wishing to adopt an existing dual-title program must provide the above information, as well as submit Graduate Bulletin copy and a copy of the student handbook that incorporates the dual-title offering requirements. The various formal requirements for achieving a dual-title degree should be stated in the primary program's graduate handbook, and care be taken to outline how satisfying these requirements can be rationally connected with satisfying the requirements in the primary program.

Typically, a provision is made whereby a dual-title degree student at the master's level is relieved of some of the requirements of the primary degree program, so that a different and substituted set of courses can be pursued. Any such course substitutions must be specified in the primary program's graduate handbook. Since the Graduate School does not specify a minimum number of credits for the doctoral degree program, programs should include language in the student handbook that specifies any courses from the dual-title area of study that are approved as substitutions in the primary program for post-master's students.

Some issues which the proposal should address include the following:

  1. A listing should be provided of typical courses available (title and course number) that are appropriate for the dual-title area of study.
  2. A statement should be made regarding the minimum number of 500 or 800-level and, in some cases, 400-level courses that must be taken in the dual-title area of study.
  3. A dual-title degree doctoral student (like single-title degree students) will take a candidacy examination that is administered by the primary program. However, the dual-title degree student may require an additional semester or more to fulfill requirements for the primary program and dual-title area of study and, therefore, the candidacy examination may be delayed.
  4. A dual-title degree student's candidacy examination committee will be composed of faculty from the primary program, as well as at least one faculty member from the secondary area of study. In some cases of programs with many overlapping interests, the designated dual-title faculty member may be appointed in the student's primary program, but he or she may also hold a formal appointment with the secondary area of study. Typically, the dual-title member will participate in constructing and grading candidacy examination questions in the secondary area of study.
  5. Similarly, a student who pursues a dual-title doctoral degree program will need to enlist faculty from the primary program as well as faculty from the secondary area of study to serve on the doctoral committee. Faculty members who hold appointments in both the primary program and secondary area of study may serve in a combined role. The dual-title representative will participate in constructing and grading comprehensive examination questions that cover the secondary area of study.
  6. Administrative processes by which students will be admitted to and matriculate in the dual-title degree program in a coordinated manner with the primary program must be delineated.

Major programs participating in a dual-title degree are advised to develop sections in their graduate student handbooks that outline the nature of the dual-title degree; stipulate the array of courses typically taken; and detail other structural and practical requirements of a dual-title degree.