Double Major (120 credits) vs. Dual Degree (150 credits)
Double Majors:
Students pursuing a double major choose a primary and secondary major, fulfill the course requirements for both, and graduate with a minimum of 120 credits total. Certain requirements, such as JYW (Junior Year Writing), typically must be completed in the primary major, though you should double check with your academic advisor in each major on their requirements.
Students with double majors should meet with the academic advisors in both departments to find out the extent to which courses required by one major can be used to satisfy the requirements of the other major.
At graduation a double major earns a single degree in the primary major, but both the primary and secondary major are recorded on the transcript.
Double Major Students:
Double Majors must fulfill the IE and JYW requirements within their primary major only.
Dual Degrees:
Students pursuing a dual degree (two Bachelor’s degrees and two majors) must earn a minimum of 150 credits, completing all of the major and college requirements for each major, and also completing at least 30 additional units in residency. This must be accomplished within the normal ten semesters, unless a Dean grants an extension. If the two bachelor's degrees are a Bachelor of Arts (BA) and a Bachelor of Science (BS) this will mean completing separate arts and science requirements (this is what we mean by college requirements). For example, a student pursuing a BS in Biology and a BA in Art must complete the 60 credits of science coursework required by CNS for their BS, and complete the Foreign Language Requirement that is the HFA college requirement for the BA.
Dual Degree Students:
- BA Studio Art "Dual Degree" students should fulfill the IE (Integrated Experience) requirement with Art, but not with JYW (Junior Year Writing) - Art 370 Junior Year Writing. JYW can only be completed in their other major.
- BFA Art & Design "Dual Degree" students must take both IE and JYW courses. Art 370 Junior Year Writing is beneficial for fulfilling prerequisite coursework for Art 401: Professional Practices which prepares students for Art 402: BFA Degree Project capstone thesis projects.
- BFA Art Education “Dual Degree” students must take both IE and JYW courses. Art 370 Junior Year Writing is beneficial for fulfilling prerequisite coursework for Art Ed 501 Practicum (student teaching Elementary school, PreK-8) or Art Ed 502 Practicum (student teaching Secondary schools, 5-12) - the latter pending approval as an IE requirement option in 2025.
For students doing a double major or a dual degree, the University requires the completion of the Integrative Experience (IE) and Junior Year Writing (JYW) Gen Ed requirements only once, in the major designated as the primary major.
Dual Degree Form
To declare a Dual Degree, please complete the Dual Degree Form in your final semester and submit it to your secondary major. Once it is completed, the form needs to be submitted to the Diploma and Graduation Services, Registrar’s Office, 213 Whitmore.