At the University of Oregon, the term concurrent graduate degrees is used when a graduate student is admitted and enrolled in two degree programs at any point in their studies.
Students should read pursuing concurrent graduate degrees for more information.
Examples of Concurrent Graduate Degrees
- A student pursues a master’s degree in environmental studies and a law degree (JD) over the course of four years. The student is awarded both degrees in the same term.
- A student pursues a master's degree in mathematics with a full credit load and a master's degree in economics with a reduced credit load. The student is awarded the mathematics degree in a given term and continues on and receives the economics degree at a later date.
- While pursuing a doctoral degree in education leadership, a student also opts to pursue a master's degree in special education. The doctoral degree takes longer to complete and the master's degree is awarded first.
- A student pursues a master of business administration (MBA) and a master of public administration (MPA). The students alternates their focus by enrolling full time in MBA-related courses for one year and enrolling full time in MPA-related courses the next year. After completing the requirements for both courses, the student is awarded both degrees in the same term.
Steps to Earn a Concurrent Graduate Degree
Currently, all concurrent graduate degree programs are considered to be “student-initiated” and are not formalized programs.
The Division of Graduate Studies encourages any student who is interested in pursuing a concurrent degree to contact one or both of the relevant academic units.
Any student who wishes to create a concurrent degree program outside of the formalized process is expected to follow this process:
- Gain admittance to both degree programs via the UO application.
As soon as possible after being admitted to both programs—but at least three terms prior to the term in which the student would complete either or both degrees (except for current law students)—meet with a faculty advisor in each of the cooperating units.
Each advisor must approve a course of study and a degree completion plan leading to the concurrent degree. This course of study will establish the requirements that must be completed for each unit, explicitly noting which courses will count toward one degree or the other.
The declaration of concurrent degrees form must be completed, printed, signed, and submitted to the Division of Graduate Studies as soon as the student has been admitted to both programs, and no later than three terms prior to the term in which the student would complete either or both degrees.
Law students must be submit the declaration of concurrent degrees form prior to the term you applied for. You will not be admitted to the program and will be unable to register for graduate-level courses without submitting this form. Should you submit the form late, you will be required to apply for the next term to gain admission.
- No later than Friday of Week 2 in the term of graduation (for either or both degrees), you must apply for graduation and a completed concurrent degree program plan must be submitted to the Division of Graduate Studies.
Tuition
Beginning with the term of declaration of concurrent degrees, tuition for students pursuing concurrent degrees will be assessed at a rate based on the average of the tuition of the two academic units.
This is clearly communicated on the declaration of concurrent degrees form and on pursuing concurrent graduate degrees.
Revenue Allocation
Once the student is concurrently enrolled in more than one program, the college in which each program resides will receive 50% of its usual tuition. If there are more than two units involved, a proportional formula will be used.
For student-initiated concurrent degrees in which both majors reside in a single school/college, the dean of that school/college is responsible for determining the revenue flow to the programs.
About the Admissions Process
Formal admission to both programs via the UO admission application is required. If accepted to both programs, or upon admission to the second program, the student will be prompted to submit the declaration of concurrent degrees form via their application status portal.
Students must be admitted with enough time to spend at least two full terms as an admitted student in their second graduate degree program.
This expectation is in keeping with the current residency policy for master’s and EdS students. It also sets an expectation for good practices in advising by providing departments with adequate time and opportunity to advise students pursuing a second graduate degree in their program.
See pursuing concurrent graduate degrees for information on:
- Residency Requirement
- Concurrent Master's/Law Degrees
- Concurrent Doctoral/Master's or EdS Degrees
- Degree Completion
Formalizing a Concurrent Degree Program
While there are currently no formal concurrent graduate degree programs at the University of Oregon, institutional policies governing the development and funding for concurrent degrees do not discourage innovative educational opportunities such as concurrent degrees.
Given the importance of interdisciplinary learning and the role concurrent degrees play in the professional development of our students, these policies aim to create incentives for the formalization of such programs while retaining flexibility for student-initiated (non-formalized) programs.
At this time, all concurrent degree programs are considered "student-initiated" programs, including those that have historically been popular with students (e.g., JD/International Studies, MBA/MPA).