Joint Programs Policy

Introduction

Policy Number: EP-25.01

Effective Date: Fall 2025

Policy Title:  Joint Programs Policy (view the full SCEP proposal)

Contact: Academic Programs

Policy Statement: Joint programs consist of officially approved degree programs whereby the student receives two separate degrees but is allowed to apply shared coursework to both degrees. As a result, students in joint programs are required to complete fewer total credit hours than would be the case when completing the two degrees separately. In addition, there may be other incentives beneficial to the student. The degrees awarded in the joint program must be approved, established degree programs. The number and percentage of shared course credit hours are detailed in each program proposal.

The following updated policy statements apply to all joint programs:

1. For joint programs that combine bachelor's and master's degrees, no more than 25% of the total credit hours for the master’s degree (rounded up to the next credit hour) may be shared with the undergraduate degree (i.e., applied toward both the undergraduate and graduate degrees). Nonetheless, all such joint programs may utilize at least 9 credit hours of shared coursework. Joint programs involving two graduate degree programs should have no more than 25% (rounded up to the next credit hour) of the total credit hours for both degrees as shared coursework. More than 25% indicates that there may be inherent overlap in the content of the two degrees, thus making the establishment of a joint degree inappropriate.

2. For each joint program, there should be a specified timeframe in which students are allowed to matriculate. For joint programs involving an undergraduate degree and a master’s degree, the application process should take place while students are still undergraduates; it is intended that students enrolled in these joint programs will progress directly into the master’s degree program. Students should not be allowed or encouraged to apply to a joint program toward the end of their program of study.

3. Joint programs must establish a policy as to whether both degrees shall be received during the same term (upon completion of the requirements for the second degree) or may be received in separate terms as the requirements for each degree are met.

4. Each proposed joint degree program proposal must include a Joint Degree Articulation Agreement regarding the administrative procedures for operating the joint program. The agreement should be updated whenever any terms of the original memorandum of understanding require revision.

Reason for Policy: The Joint Program Policy enables students to complete two graduate degrees, or an undergraduate degree paired with a master’s degree, in a streamlined way by permitting some credit hours to count towards the degree requirements of both degrees. This provides an incentive to students to pursue both degrees, while increasing the likelihood that students will be able to complete their studies in fewer total semesters. At the same time, this limited use of shared coursework preserves the integrity of the degree requirements for each degree.

The minimum requirement for an undergraduate degree is 120 credit hours. Without credit sharing, the minimum number of credits necessary to earn a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree consecutively is 152 credit hours. However, as the size of both undergraduate and master’s degrees may vary, it is not uncommon for this total to be higher, requiring students to use 6 years to complete their overall course of study when pursuing two degrees. As 25% of the total credit hours for the master’s degree (rounded up to the next credit hour) may be shared across the two degrees in a joint program, this potentially reduces the time to completion. Additionally, such programs may have benefits in terms of recruitment and in retaining talented undergraduate students into a graduate program at UIC, and joint programs also may lead to coordination across degree programs.

The 2025 update to the policy removed a maximum 9-credit-hour limit for shared coursework. The updated policy also ensured that joint programs could set policies that would enable students to have their first degree conferred, even while working to complete the second degree. This should be beneficial to students entering into a career, as well as those already employed in their field. Finally, the updated policy specified that (for joint programs involving an undergraduate degree and a master’s degree) the application process should take place while students are still undergraduates. The update also indicated that it is intended that students enrolled in joint programs will progress directly into the master’s degree program.

Minority Impact Statement:

The proposed changes to the policy will benefit all students, including minorities. Due to the additional shared coursework, students will potentially be able to complete a second degree in an accelerated timeframe and at a reduced cost, which positively impacts access to higher levels of degree attainment. This change, along with the permission to award degrees as they are completed rather than upon the completion of both degrees, will allow students to find employment sooner and at potentially higher salaries.

The latter change will also provide students with greater flexibility in regard to adjusting their educational goals if necessary. For example, students who are enrolled in a joint program and who finish the first degree’s requirements, but who need to take some time off or remove themselves from the second degree, will now already have the first degree in hand.

Who Should Read the Policy:  Faculty and staff at UIC who are involved in the creation, revision, or elimination of joint programs.

Policy History: 

• Original policy approved in January 2006 (EP-06.03)
• Updated policy approved on March 17, 2011.
• Current policy approved by the UIC Senate on March 12, 2025