Dual-Title Degree Programs

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 dual-title area of study. 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 graduate program in which the greater portion of the work is conducted, which constitutes the major program. A dual-title area of study requires a substantial amount of course work carried out under the supervision of a faculty advisor from the dual-title area. The dual-title area of study cannot exist as a separate (graduate) degree program. The intent of any dual-title offering would be the addition of valuable course work not currently prescribed in an existing graduate degree program, and integration of the dual-title area of study into a thesis or dissertation [and exams (e.g., candidacy, comprehensive), in the case of doctoral programs].

Guidelines:

In order for a dual-title degree to be established, an existing graduate 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 graduate programs added to an existing dual-title offering, must be approved by the Graduate Council Committee on Programs and Courses. The dual-title area of study must be described in the graduate student handbook of the student’s major program outlining the nature of the dual-title degree, including the array of courses typically taken; expectations for participation by dual-title students (for example, dual- title students may be expected to regularly attend weekly seminars scheduled by the dual-title area of study); and detailing other structural and practical requirements of a dual-title degree. 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. Graduate programs seeking to add an existing dual-title degree should similarly show the advantages to be conferred. Proposals for new dual-title programs should be accompanied by at least one major program proposing a program change to adopt the dual-title.

Graduate 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 graduate 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 graduate program’s student handbook, and care be taken to outline how satisfying these requirements can be rationally connected with satisfying the requirements in the graduate 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 graduate degree program, so that a different and substituted set of courses can be pursued. Any such course substitutions must be specified in the graduate program’s student 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 graduate program for post-master's students.

Some issues which the proposal should address include the following:

1. A listing of typical courses available (title and course number) that are appropriate for the dual-title area of study should be provided.
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 major program, but that also examines the student’s suitability for doctoral research in the dual-title field.. Because students must first be admitted to a major program of study before they may apply to and be considered for admission into a dual-title degree program, dual-title degree students may require an additional semester to fulfill requirements for both areas of study and, therefore, the candidacy examination may be delayed one semester beyond the normal period allowable. The normal period requires that “the examination may be given after at least 18 credits have been earned in graduate courses beyond the baccalaureate and must be taken within three semesters summer sessions do not count) of entry into the doctoral program.”
4. A dual-title degree student's candidacy examination committee will be composed of faculty from the graduate program, as well as at least one faculty member from the dual- title 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 graduate program, but he or she may also hold a formal appointment with the dual-title area of study. Typically, the dual-title member will participate in constructing and grading candidacy examination questions in the dual-title area of study.
5. Similarly, a student who pursues a dual-title doctoral degree program will need to enlist faculty from the graduate program as well as faculty from the dual-title area of study to serve on the doctoral committee. Faculty members who hold appointments in both the graduate program and dual-title 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 dual-title 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 graduate program must be delineated.

(Approved by Graduate Council 11/20/02)
(Revised and approved by the Graduate Council, May 13, 2009)