This policy is a framework by which departments, programs, and/or units may develop degree programs that allow for the simultaneous pursuit of either a Bachelor’s + Master’s degree OR a Bachelor’s + Graduate Certificate. This policy is intended as a guide for interested units to develop and submit proposals through the usual approval process including the Graduate Council. Since the intent is to allow for the concurrent pursuit of two existing programs at UMKC, approval beyond the campus level is not necessary. Doctoral program are excluded from this policy.
Such programs are likely to be targeted to talented undergraduate students who earlier in their career here at UMKC appear to have developed a high potential or an interest in pursuing a graduate degree (Master’s) or graduate work (graduate certificate). Programs of this type require close mentoring by the student advisor and good academic advising as to course selection to meet the requirements of the degrees/certificate programs. In the ideal case, undergraduate students who desire to pursue a graduate degree would express their interest by either the 2nd semester of the sophomore year, or beginning of the junior year.
Process for submission of dual programs:
Proposal submitted may be devised within the same units and departments or between them. One model may choose to have the dual degree in the same unit or subject area. Alternatively, another model may involve undergraduate programs and graduate programs from two different units or departments. In the latter case, details as to how the two units will coordinate the programs and guide the student must be carefully identified in the proposal. The proposal should specify guidelines as to how undergraduate students will be made aware of the opportunity to pursue a dual degree program (eg. Recruitment into the program). Students within an undergraduate program should be admitted to the graduate program after completing 30 to 45 credits. Entry into the graduate program will require a minimum of a 3.0 GPA. Units may propose higher standards for admission including results of standardized exams and other appropriate material deemed significant to better assure student success. The proposal must identify how students will be advised and guided though the proposed program. Students who are admitted into these programs shall be granted provisional admission pending the awarding of the Bachelor’s degree. A plan of study should be filed soon after provisional admission is granted.
If there are deviations from either the undergraduate, graduate, or certificate programs, these should be identified. For instance, it is common that some of the courses required for the Graduate degree may be applied toward the undergraduate degree (or vice versa). Courses taken at the senior level for undergraduate programs often carry graduate credit and these credits may be applied toward the Master’s degree or a graduate certificate. If this is the case, the student will need to take the course for graduate credit and pay the graduate level tuition. Such deviations would need approval by the department or division, the College/School, and the Graduate Council. The maximum hours that may be applied to the graduate degree or certificate is 9 credit hours toward the total degree or certificate requirement . For instance, in the case of a typical 30 credit Master’s degree program, 9 credits of the courses taken at the undergraduate level may be applied toward the graduate degree. However, a student cannot graduate from a Bachelor’s program and then decide to apply to a Master’s program and request that hours already taken at the undergraduate level be applied to the Master’s degree or Certificate. Grades earned from course credit that are applied toward the both degrees will be used in the calculation of the Undergraduate Grade Point Average (GPA) and not the graduate GPA.
The awarding of the bachelor’s degree can be done after the completion of the undergraduate degree requirements; OR the Bachelor’s and Master’s degree or Graduate Certificate may be awarded at the same time.
Proposals should be directed to the Dean of the Graduate School after it has been reviewed and approved by the unit’s procedures.