Definition of Dual Degrees
Students enrolled in a dual degree program are pursuing two different degrees at CGU and receive diplomas for each degree upon completion of each degree’s requirements. Graduation from the two programs in the same semester is not required.
Restriction: Dual degrees are restricted to fields that are sufficiently different as to require separate curricula. Dual degrees are not permitted for fields that are so close in subject content that any course from one field would satisfy requirements of the second. Generally, dual degrees are not permitted for two degrees offered through the same academic department except by petition.
Applicability of Units: CGU limits the applicability of coursework units to two degrees. Upon completion of a dual degree program, students who wish to pursue another degree should realize that units from the dual degrees may not be available for credit toward any subsequent degree (see Application of Units for Multiple Degrees section below).
Availability: Dual degree programs are available to CGU applicants as well as to admitted and continuing students. Applicants work through the Admissions Office. The information on this page applies primarily to admitted and continuing students.
Application Process
You may apply for a dual degree by completing a Change of Degree form (available on the Forms webpage). To fully take advantage of the dual degree program benefits, you should submit your application prior to completing your first year at CGU or before completing your first 16 units. Submit the form to your current and new department for approval and then deliver to the Registrar’s Office.
Adding a new program is equivalent to an application for admission to that program. Interviews may be requested, as well as additional documentation for review by the new program’s admissions committee. Documentation may include the following.
- Personal statement indicating the depth of your interest and your qualifications to date for that field
- Letters of recommendation specific to the new field
- Updated resume
- Discipline-specific test scores
- Other discipline-specific documentation, such as evidence of achievement in the field
The new program will advise you of its decision. If admitted, your new dual degree status is effective at the beginning of the next semester.
Degree Requirements
While you must complete the degree requirements for each degree of your dual degree program, the program structure provides some benefits and restrictions regarding degree requirements.
Dual Degree Proposal Form: Before the completion of your first semester in the program, you must complete and file a Dual Degree Proposal Form (available on the Forms webpage) with the Registrar’s Office. The form is completed in collaboration with your advisors in the two programs and must be approved by each program. Any changes to the Proposal must be documented through submission of a new, approved Dual Degree Proposal Form.
The approved Dual Degree Proposal Form becomes your contract for degree completion, detailing all of the following.
- Units required for each program
- Identification of units from each program that can be applied toward the required units of the other program – limit of 35% from one program to another
- Other degree requirements, such as tools, exams, and thesis/dissertations
Note that the “sharing” of units between programs may decrease the total amount of units you must complete for each program. This is the reason for initiating an application to a dual degree program early in your career.
Transfer Credit Limits: CGU transfer credit policies apply, with the following limitations or exclusions.
- No units may be transferred for dual master’s programs.
- No more than 12 units may be transferred into a master’s/doctorate dual degree.
Other Degree Requirements: You should become familiar with all of the degree requirements for each of your degree programs.
Completion of Degree: CGU policies applicable to both of your degrees apply.
Changes to Your Dual Degree Program
Any changes to your dual degree program, including leaving one of the programs, require submission of a new Change of Degree Form or Dual Degree Proposal Form.
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Definition
Interfield degrees refer to degree programs that span or combine two disciplines or fields. Only one degree is earned.
General Requirements
Eligibility. New and continuing students may apply for an interfield degree. Students wishing to transfer in must maintain a GPA of 3.0 or higher. Students with an Incomplete (I) or Grade Pending (GP) on their student record from CGU must resolve the ‘I’ or the ‘GP’ before applying to an interfield program. Students with an ‘Unsatisfactory’ (U) on their record from CGU cannot apply for an interfield program.
Required Units. Generally, a minimum of 44-48 units are required for completion of a master’s interfield; a minimum of 80 units are required for completion of a doctoral interfield.
Transfer Credit Limits. Transfer credit policies and limitations apply.
Earning a Master’s Degree while Pursuing an Interfield Doctorate. Interfield doctoral students may receive a master’s degree in one but not both fields. Refer to the section on Master’s Degree Regulations.
Degree Name. The naming policy for interfield degrees is to combine the exact titles of the two existing degrees with “and.” For example, an interfield degree between the PhD in Information Systems & Technology and the PhD in Political Science where Information Systems & Technology is the primary field would be titled: PhD in Information Systems & Technology and Political Science. The one exception to this policy is an interfield degree between the International Studies and Politics & Government departments; in this case the interfield degree title is PhD in Political Science and International Politics.
Other Information. Forms are available on the Forms webpage.
Interfield Master’s Programs
Prior to students enrolling in an interfield master’s program, curricular agreements must be made between each participating department (only two) and the Transdisciplinary Studies program. A list of approved interfield master’s programs is available in the Degrees & Certificates section of the Bulletin. Students may petition for additional interfield program combinations not listed. Students may either seek direct admission to the program when applying for master’s study, or they may transfer into an interfield master’s program at the end of their first term. All interfield student applications will be reviewed by both participating departments, as well as by Transdisciplinary Studies.
The application for an interfield master’s program not previously approved and listed in the Degrees & Certificates section of the Bulletin must include:
- Interfield Personal Statement. This statement justifies why an interfield degree will allow for and/or create experiences that are not possible within a currently offered single degree field and how an interfield degree will present similar or greater employment opportunities and experiences not available with a single degree field.
- Interfield Coursework Proposal Form. This form acts as the contract for the interfield degree and defines the specific program details and requirements to be completed by the student.
- Specific title of the interfield degree (see below for naming conventions);
- Courses to be taken, grouped within each disciplinary area;
- Subject areas and format for any qualifying examinations;
- Research tools and/or foreign languages to be completed in the program;
- Any capstone project, paper, or thesis to be completed for the program.
Interfield Doctoral Programs
Students may apply directly to an interfield program before matriculating or current students may transfer to an interfield program. The approval of the faculty advisors for both fields, chairs of the two respective programs, and the Director of the Transdisciplinary Studies Program is required for students wishing to be considered for a doctoral interfield degree.
Prior to end of the student’s first semester in an interfield program, the student in collaboration with the faculty advisors of both fields and the Transdisciplinary Studies Program must complete the following:
- Interfield Personal Statement. This statement justifies why an interfield degree will allow for and/or create experiences that are not possible within a currently offered single degree field and how an interfield degree will present similar or greater employment opportunities and experiences not available with a single degree field.
- Interfield Coursework Proposal Form. This form acts as the contract for the interfield degree and defines the specific program details and requirements to be completed by the student.
- Specific title of the interfield degree (see below for naming conventions);
- Courses to be taken, grouped within each disciplinary area;
- Subject areas and format for the qualifying examinations;
- Research tools and/or foreign languages to be completed in the program.
Once approved by the respective faculty advisors, chairs, and the Transdisciplinary Studies Program director, the personal statement and coursework proposal form must be submitted to the Registrar’s Office for processing.
Changes to Your Interfield Program
Changes to your intefield degree require submission of a new Change of Degree or Interfield Degree Proposal form.
Questions
- Registrar’s Office
- student.records@cgu.edu
- 909-621-8285
- Transdisciplinary Studies Office
- transdisciplinary.studies@cgu.edu
- 909-607-0724
- Your department
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Introduction
Concurrent enrollment, sometimes called dual enrollment, refers to situations where students are enrolled at more than one institution at the same time. Concurrent enrollment is supported by federal and state regulations as a means for students to more expeditiously complete degree requirements, thus minimizing student debt and the need for extensive financial aid.
Claremont Graduate University (CGU) has entered into agreements with other institutions of higher education to offer various joint and concurrent degree programs in selected fields or disciplines. Partner institutions are accredited and offer graduate-level programs that, in collaboration with CGU, provide a rich and unique educational experience for the graduate student.
CGU, along with its institutional partners, offers the following joint and concurrent degree programs:
| Degree Program | Department | Institutional Partner |
| PhD in Computational Science | Mathematics | San Diego State University |
| PhD in Education | Education | San Diego State University |
| PhD in Engineering & Industrial Mathematics | Mathematics | California State University, Long Beach |
| MBA/JD | Management | Southwestern Law School in LA |
| MBA/MS in Industrial Design | Management | Art Center College of Design in LA |
General Requirements and Student Status
Joint program students are concurrent students of both CGU and of the partner institution. Students are required to abide by all campus and student policies of each institution. CGU policies are provided in the CGU Bulletin and in the Registrar’s website.
A continuing student status is required at both schools. Notifications of changes to student status, such as withdrawals and leave of absence, must be made to each school per that school’s policies and procedures.
Enrollment
Joint program students are expected to be enrolled in coursework at one of the two institutions each semester and must be registered at both institutions during the semester of graduation. Verifications of enrollment are automatically exchanged between the program institutions each semester in the form of official transcripts.
When a joint program student is enrolled in coursework at a partner institution, CGU records this enrollment on the CGU transcript. For the applicable semester, CGU records the notation “DISC 500 Enrolled at (partner institution)” where DISC is the discipline. Actual courses and grades completed at the partner institution are not recorded on the CGU transcript.
Financial Considerations
Tuition and fees are assessed by and paid to the institution at which the student is registered for the semester. While registered or completing coursework at a partner institution, joint program students continue to maintain their library and other CGU student privileges without charge. Generally, financial aid eligibility is determined by the institution at which the student is registered for the term.
Degree Requirements and Graduation
Students must adhere to and complete the degree requirements of each institution. Final approval for completion of degree requirements, including review and approval of dissertations, must be obtained from each school.
Graduation does not occur until the student has completed all degree requirements at both schools. During the graduation semester, the student is registered at both institutions and must follow the degree completion procedures at both institutions.
While joint program students generally participate in Commencement ceremonies at CGU, a student may participate in the ceremonies at both campuses, provided participation procedures are followed at each. Only one diploma is issued to students in joint degree programs. CGU issues the diploma bearing the names and authorizations of the two institutions involved in the joint program.
Transcripts and Alumni Services
Official transcripts document academic work completed by a student at the institution issuing the transcript. Joint program students, therefore, must always request transcripts from each of their program institutions when compiling complete academic documentation of their accomplishments, such as for employment applications and other needs. Generally, joint program students qualify for alumni status at both of the institutions at which they were enrolled.
Questions
Consult your program coordinator.
For assistance with CGU policies and procedures, contact the Registrar’s Office at student.records@cgu.edu or 909-621-8285.
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Limitations and Restrictions
Criteria for applying CGU units toward CGU degree programs are as follows:
Relevance
Only coursework relevant or applicable to the degree program in which you are enrolled can be counted toward the total units of required coursework for that particular degree.
Limitation on Sharing Units
CGU units may be applied to no more than two CGU degrees. If you wish to pursue additional degrees, you will be required to complete all unit and degree requirements for those additional degrees.
Double-Counting or Sharing Units
The term double-counting refers to the application of units from one program to meet the degree requirements of another program. The following restrictions apply.
- CGU units may only be shared between two programs. If you wish to pursue additional degrees, all units and degree requirements must be completed anew in order to earn those additional degrees.
- A limit of 35% of relevant units from one program may be applied toward the degree requirements of one other program.
- Prior approval for the application of earned units for a second program is required.
- Dual Degrees – see Dual Degree section above.
- Interfield Degrees – see Interfield section above.
- Application of CGU Master’s units to a CGU doctoral program – complete and file the Apply CGU Coursework to Additional CGU Degree form available on the Forms webpage.
Transfer Credit
Transfer credit may only be brought into CGU only once. Note that units from a CGU master’s degree may be applied toward a CGU doctoral degree, if relevant. If transfer credit was accepted toward that master’s degree, by default, this amount is part of the total transfer credit that can be accepted toward doctoral degree.
CGU tranfer credit policies apply.
Carry Forward Units
Students enrolled in Accelerated BA/MA (4+1) and joint programs may use a specific number of non-CGU units, as credit toward the CGU degree program. An official transcript must be attached to a Transfer Credit Request Form (available on the Forms webpage) and the approved form filed with the Registrar’s Office.
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