Double Major vs. Dual Degree

Double Majors (120 cr) and Dual Degrees (150 cr)

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 junior year writing, must be completed in the primary major.

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.

Dual Degree: Students wishing to earn two degrees, each in a different major, must complete all of the major and college requirements for both degrees, and also must complete at least 30 additional units for a minimum of 150 credits. Requirements must be completed within ten semesters, unless the Academic Dean grants an extension.

Dual Degree Form
To declare a Dual Degree, please complete the Dual Degree Form 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. 

What is meant by “primary major” and “secondary major”?

Double majors are required to identify one major as primary, making the other one secondary. You still have to satisfy the requirements of both majors, but the choice of primary major determines several things:

• You will take your Junior Year Writing course in your primary major
• You will take your IE course in your primary major (you may also take one or more IE courses in your secondary major)
• You will complete the College requirements of your primary major 
• Although both majors will appear on your transcript, only your primary major will appear on  your diploma