Dual Degree Program Arrangements

I. Scope

The policy governs graduate dual degree program arrangements including: dual master’s degrees, and any dual master’s/doctoral or dual master’s/Specialist (also known as Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study) degree arrangements where the lower-degree does not completely embed within the higher, primary degree.

This policy does not apply to embedded master’s/doctoral programs; embedded master’s/Specialist programs; joint degree programs; any dual program arrangements that include certificate programs; or accelerated bachelor’s/master’s degree programs, except as explicitly noted.

Dual program arrangements involving solely doctoral and/or Specialist programs will be approved by the Graduate Division as needed. This policy applies to all George Mason University students, faculty and administrators.

II. Policy Statement

Dual degree program arrangements within the scope of this policy allow students to explore related fields of study in different academic programs simultaneously, in a cost- and time-efficient manner. Such dual degree program structures may combine degree programs between individual George Mason University units, or with programs offered through other institutions. Identifying efficiencies between two related degrees supports interdisciplinary or multidisciplinary study by allowing credit to share in a “horizontal” way and reflects a fundamentally different purpose from the “vertical” decrease in credit that can occur as a student advances through increasingly difficult graduate levels of study within the same academic discipline.

In crafting such arrangements, university faculty and administrators shall preserve the essential academic integrity of each underlying component degree program.

Dual degree program arrangements may be established at the institutional or individual student levels and must meet each of the following requirements:

A. Statement of Intent: Proposals for dual degree program arrangements must be accompanied by a written statement explaining:

1. the intellectual or pedagogical purpose behind the degree program; and
2. the academic symmetries that exist between the underlying fields of study. While dual program arrangements offer certain efficiencies in time and cost, they may not be used simply as a means for “discounting” degrees.

B. Credit-Sharing Calculation: The formula set forth below shall be used to calculate the maximum number of credits that may be shared across component degree programs. George Mason University shall not engage in a dual degree program partnership in which academic credits are accounted for in excess of this maximum. Accordingly, dual degree arrangements must satisfy the following:

1. Credit-Sharing Formula:
   a. begin with the number of credits required to successfully complete Degree A;
   b. subtract the number of institutional credits required; and
   c. divide the remainder in half. The resulting figure is the maximum number of credits that may be applied from Degree B to Degree A. Repeat process, beginning with the Degree B, to determine the number of credits that may be applied from Degree A to Degree B. (See form for examples of credit sharing calculations between graduate programs.) George Mason University’s institutional credits and unique credit requirement will be used in calculations for both institutions in dual degree arrangements with other institutions.
2. Certificate Programs: Certificate students who satisfy the degree requirements of more than one certificate at Mason may apply coursework from multiple certificates towards a Mason master’s or doctoral degree program. This is the only exception to the institutional maximum number of credits that may be shared across component degree programs. The graduation application for any graduate certificate must include a minimum of 12 credits that apply only to that certificate and not to another certificate.
3. Limitations on Credit-Sharing: Credit may be shared across two programs only; credit may never be applied to three or more George Mason programs.
   a. Credit applied to an accelerated bachelor’s/master’s degree program shall not be applied to the second master’s degree within a dual degree arrangement.
   b. Credit applied to a double-counted certificate/master’s degree arrangement shall not be applied to the second master’s degree within a dual degree arrangement.
   c. Reserve graduate credit shall not be applied to the second master’s degree within a dual degree arrangement. If a student wishes to pursue additional programs beyond those in their dual degree program arrangement, those additional programs must stand alone for the purpose of calculating
   credits.
4. Individual colleges or schools, departments, or degree program faculty may impose more stringent limitations on credit sharing limits, but they must not allow credit-sharing in excess of the university limitations described above.

C. Curricular Requirement: Students must meet all curricular requirements of both programs (e.g., must pass all comprehensive exams, practice, etc.)

D. Completed Degrees Precluded from Calculation: A dual degree arrangement may not be constructed with a degree that has already been awarded.

E. Timing of Conferral: Students must comply with time limit to degree requirements for each George Mason degree program as published in the University Catalog under Academic Policy AP.6. George Mason University degrees may be conferred upon completion, or deferred, based upon student application. Post-baccalaureate certificates, however, may only be
posted after a bachelor’s degree has been earned, or concurrently.

III. Definitions

Dual degree program arrangement: an academic structure in which students pursue two separate degree programs and receive two separate program completion credentials (e.g., diplomas). Normally, a dual degree program arrangement integrates two academic fields that are sufficiently related to each other to make integration practical yet are sufficiently distinct to avoid duplication.

Joint degree program: an approved course of study in which two academic units or two academic institutions collaborate to jointly offer one program completion credential.

Institutional credits requirement: more than half of the required minimum credits for a graduate degree, which must be earned at George Mason University. Unique credit requirements for graduate degrees at George Mason University are set forth in the University Catalog.

IV. Responsibilities

A. Specific responsibilities for oversight and approval are detailed throughout the policy. The Office of the University Registrar shall provide a form to coordinate and document student-initiated dual degree programs, including the rationale, the primary department, the proposed curriculum and required signatures, at a minimum.

V. Compliance

Deans and directors of college-level units are expected to ensure that their units remain in compliance with this policy. If necessary, the Provost may address non-compliance through performance reviews or other measures as appropriate.

VI. Forms

Office of the University Registrar Dual Masters Program of Study form.

VII. Dates

A. Effective Date:
This policy will become effective upon the date of approval by the Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer and the Provost and Executive Vice President.

B. Date of Most Recent Review:
October 20, 2025

VIII. Timetable for Review

This policy, and any related procedures, shall be reviewed every three years or more frequently as needed.

IX. Signatures

Approved:

_/S______________________
Julie Zobel
Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer

_/S_______________________
James Antony
Provost and Executive Vice President

Policy approved: May 28, 2013
Revision approved: September 12, 2013
Revision approved: April 21, 2021
Revision approved: October 20, 2025

Page last updated: November 12, 2025