Multiple Majors, Simultaneous Degrees, and Additional Degrees Policy for Undergraduates (AE 15.1)

POLICY STATEMENT

This policy clarifies requirements for undergraduate students wishing to pursue more than one undergraduate major or degree.

DEFINITIONS

Additional Baccalaureate Degree: Undergraduate degree pursued by a student after completing and graduating with a previous degree.

Double-Dip: When a single course is allowed to fulfill more than one degree or program requirement. Not allowed for courses within the Core Curriculum.

Simultaneous Degrees: Two or more declared undergraduate majors in which at least one is from a different type of baccalaureate degree (e.g. a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Science).

Multiple Majors: Two or more declared undergraduate majors that are all the same type of baccalaureate degree (e.g. multiple Bachelor of Arts majors).

PROCEDURES

Students may pursue separate undergraduate majors or degrees at the same time. When pursuing Multiple Majors or Simultaneous Degrees, students must meet the requirements of the catalog year in which they declared the first major or degree. If a student adds a major or degree that was implemented after their existing catalog year, then the additional major(s) or degree(s) will follow the requirements of the first catalog year in which the new program(s) appeared.

A student cannot graduate until all requirements are met for all declared degrees or programs; students who choose not to complete one or more declared program(s) must officially drop that major or degree by completing the “Change or Add a Major, Program, or Degree” form, available on the Office of the Registrar website.

I. Multiple Majors (Similar Degree Types)

The following requirements apply to students pursuing Multiple Majors:

A. The student must meet all admission requirements (e.g., minimum GPA or standardized test scores) for each declared major;

B. The student must complete all core curriculum and program requirements for each declared major;

C. Limitations and prohibitions:

1. Except as noted in I.C.1.i below, students who declare more than one emphasis, track, or concentration within a major are classified as pursuing a single major with multiple emphases, tracks, or concentrations, but do not qualify as pursuing Multiple Majors;

i. Secondary Education majors may pursue more than one concentration as Multiple Majors, provided they meet the exclusive credits requirement in I.D below;

ii. Students may Double-Dip classes between emphases, tracks, or concentrations within a single major;

2. Students may not pursue a major in a discipline and a major in Interdisciplinary Studies with a concentration in the same (or a substantively similar) discipline (e.g. Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice and Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies with a concentration in Criminal Justice) as Multiple Majors. If there is a question regarding whether an Interdisciplinary Studies concentration is substantively similar to a major in a discipline, the relevant academic Dean(s) will make a final determination;

D. Double-Dipping courses is allowed between declared Multiple Majors. However, a minimum of twelve (12) credits required for the major= (not including core curriculum, elective, or other non-major-specific credits) must be exclusive to each declared major and may not be Double-Dipped. Any twelve 12 distinct major credits may fulfill this requirement; they do not have to be specifically approved. If the published coursework for the majors cannot be completed in a manner that allows for 12 distinct credits between them, they are not eligible to be pursued as Multiple Majors;

E. Required courses from one major may be applied as general electives for the other declared major(s);

F. No additional credits are required beyond the minimum credits required for graduation (120 for most majors) as long as the requirements for all declared majors are completed at the time the degree is conferred;

G. All declared majors will appear on the student’s transcript and diploma. Only one diploma is issued.

II. Simultaneous Degrees (Different Degree Types)

When a student declares majors that involve different degree types, additional credits are required.

A. Degree Types: Nevada State College offers the following distinct types of baccalaureate degrees:

• • Bachelor of Arts;
  • Bachelor of Science;
  • Bachelor of Science in Business Administration;
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing;
  • Bachelor of Public Administration;
  • Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education;
  • Bachelor of Arts in Secondary Education;
  • Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education;
  • Bachelor of Applied Science.

B. Prohibited Degree Combinations: The following degrees may not be pursued as Simultaneous Degrees:

1. 1. Due to their unique admissions and core curriculum requirements, Bachelor of Applied Science degrees cannot be combined with any other type of degree and so cannot be pursued as Simultaneous Degrees;
   2. Students may not declare the Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and the Bachelor of Science in Psychology as Simultaneous Degrees.

C. Secondary Education Degree Exceptions: Combining a Bachelor of Arts in Secondary Education or a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education with the corresponding discipline-specific Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science is not considered a different degree type and does not qualify as a Simultaneous Degree (e.g., the Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education with a Concentration in Mathematics and the Bachelor of Science in Mathematics are not considered separate degree types). Students combining such degrees will follow the requirements stated above for Multiple Majors.

D. Degree Requirements: The following requirements apply to students pursuing Simultaneous Degrees:

1. 1. All School, major, and degree requirements must be met for each declared degree, including any variations to the College Core Curriculum approved by the School offering each degree;
   2. Students must complete sixty (60) total upper-division credits in residence at NSC;
   3. Required courses from one degree may be applied as general electives (lower- or upper-division) for the other declared degree(s);
   4. Double-Dipping is allowed between declared Simultaneous Degrees. However, a minimum of twelve (12) degree-specific credits (not including core curriculum, elective, and other non-degree-specific credits) must be exclusive to each declared degree and may not be Double-Dipped;
   5. Students must file separate graduation application cards for each type of degree;
   6. All degrees will appear on the student’s transcript and a separate diploma is issued for each type of degree.

E. Financial Aid Considerations: Students receiving financial aid should consult with a financial aid counselor before declaring Simultaneous Degrees to carefully assess the impact on their eligibility for financial aid. Because Simultaneous Degrees require additional coursework, students may need to enroll in additional terms.

 III. Declaring Three or More Majors or Degrees

Students wishing to pursue three (3) or more majors or degrees, or four (4) or more of any combination of majors, degrees, or minors, must make an appointment with the Academic Advising Center to discuss all degree requirements for the full set of programs. If the credits required to complete all requested majors, degrees, and/or minors totals more than one-hundred eighty (180) credits, the Academic Advising Director must review and approve the declaration of all programs beyond two (2). The Academic Advising Director may consult with relevant academic Deans as needed to reach a decision.

IV. Additional Baccalaureate Degrees

A. After Previous NSC Degree: The following requirements apply to students pursuing an Additional Baccalaureate Degree after completing a previous degree at Nevada State:

1. 1. The student must reapply for admission to the College;
   2. The student will be held to all School, major, and graduation requirements for the catalog year in which they are readmitted;
   3. Core curriculum requirements completed for previous degrees completed at Nevada State will satisfy core curriculum requirements for the Additional Baccalaureate Degree, with the exception of any new or additional core curriculum requirements effective in the catalog year of readmission;
   4. The student must complete 30 upper-division credits in residence for the Additional Baccalaureate Degree. Credits that applied to earlier degrees earned from Nevada State, even those in excess of the 120 required for graduation, may not be applied toward the residency requirement for an Additional Baccalaureate Degree. Specific courses required for the Additional Baccalaureate Degree that were taken for an earlier degree earned at Nevada State will be waived; however, the credits toward residency must be made up through general electives.

B. After Previous Baccalaureate Degree from Another NSHE Institution: The core curriculum will be fulfilled by the previous degree, with the exception of any variation to core requirements required by the school or degree. A student who has earned a baccalaureate degree from another NSHE institution must meet the following requirements for an Additional Baccalaureate Degree at Nevada State:

1. 1. Complete all school and major requirements for the Additional Baccalaureate Degree;
   2. Complete a minimum of thirty (30) upper-division credits in residence at Nevada State College;
   3. Complete any variations to the core curriculum required for the Additional Baccalaureate Degree.

C. After Previous Baccalaureate Degree from an Institution outside of NSHE: A student who has earned a baccalaureate degree from a U.S. regionally-accredited institution must meet the following requirements:

1. 1. Complete all school and major requirements for the Additional Baccalaureate Degree;
   2. Fulfill all core curriculum requirements that have not been fulfilled by the previous degree;
   3. Complete the Nevada Constitution core curriculum requirement, either by taking a relevant course at an NSHE institution or via Credit By Exam;
   4. Complete a minimum of thirty (30) upper-division credits in residence at Nevada State College.

FORMS/INSTRUCTIONS

• Change or Add a Major, Program, or Degree Form

ADDITIONAL CONTACTS

Office of the Registrar
Adelfa Sullivan, Registrar
702-992-2110
registrar@nsc.flywheelstaging.com

RELATED INFORMATION

• Requirements for Graduation published in the academic catalog

HISTORY

• Replaces Simultaneous Degree, Second Degree, and Double Major policy adopted May 9, 2008.
• Updated May 2022 to clarify policy applies to undergraduate degrees and majors.

APPROVALS

Approved by Dr. Laura Naumann, Faculty Senate Chair, September 1, 2020.
Approved by Dr. Vickie Shields, Provost, September 9, 2020.
Approved by President Bart Patterson, November 10, 2020.