Dual Degree Programs

A dual degree program is defined as a graduate student’s pursuit of any two graduate degrees concurrently, with the exception of two PhD programs. A dual degree program can be the concurrent pursuit of a master’s degree and any other graduate degree (master’s, PhD, or a professional doctorate) or a PhD and a professional doctorate. The dual program does not apply to students pursuing a master’s and a PhD in the same graduate program. Students cannot pursue two PhD programs concurrently at Ohio State. 

Program of Study. The student and advisor(s) in each graduate degree program plan an integrated course of study to satisfy the requirements of both degree programs. The Application for Dual Degree Program Plan must be completed and submitted to the Graduate School via GRADFORMS at least one semester or term prior to the semester or term in which one or both degrees are awarded. Per the dual degree being pursued, students must also abide by all other rules and requirements for doctoral degree programs (Section 7) and/or master's programs (Section 6). All master’s and doctoral exams must remain unique to their respective program degree requirements and cannot be used as substitutes for the second program. 

Credit Hours. Students must satisfy the credit hour requirements for each degree program. A minimum of 50 percent of the hours counted toward the credit hour requirement for each degree must be unique to that degree and cannot be used for dual credit. The Graduate Studies Committee of either program may establish a minimum higher than 50 percent. Dual degree students who also pursue a certificate program (Section 8.3) cannot count any of the credits used for completing the certificate as dual credit toward either major degree program and must comply with the 50 percent unique credit policy for each degree. Dual degree students who are pursuing a master’s degree and a PhD degree simultaneously and who have a previous master’s degree that is being counted for 30 hours toward the PhD cannot utilize any dual credits between another master’s and the PhD. In this case the Dual Degree Program Plan will be submitted by the student to reflect the appropriate number of credits needed for the completion of each degree, but there can be no overlap of credits between the two programs. The dual credit section of the Dual Degree Program Plan will be blank. Students interested in counting earned PhD credit toward a second master’s degree should inquire with the Graduate School as to its relevance to the dual degree program. 

Tuition and Fees. When a tuition difference exists between the two degree programs, students in the dual degree programs will be charged the higher tuition rate for all enrolled courses in a given semester. Students who are on a graduate fellowship cannot be enrolled as a dual degree student while in the fellowship period.