Combined Baccalaureate-Graduate Degree Programs

Standards and Requirements

1. In qualifying for the baccalaureate, students will meet all University and school requirements, including the second field requirement, the minimum liberal arts and sciences credit-hour requirement, and residency requirements.
    
2. In qualifying for the graduate degree, students will meet all University and school requirements, including the following:
   • Completing the minimum number of graduate credits required for the graduate program;
   • Completing the culminating program requirement, such as a research seminar, thesis, comprehensive examination, or other professional experience where required (i.e. internship, field work, teaching placement); and
   • Fulfilling the residency requirements.
      
3. The total minimum credit-hour requirements for combined degree programs will vary depending on the graduate program's total credit requirement (138 to 193 credits). The minimum graduate credits will equate to the minimum credits required for the graduate program (e.g. a 30-credit master's program has a minimum total credit requirement of 138 credits, of which 30 credits must be at the graduate level). The overall program total will vary depending on how many credits the department allows to double count (up to 12 graduate credits taken at the University at Albany) between the undergraduate and graduate degrees. To earn the baccalaureate degree, students must complete 120 credits of appropriate study; to receive the graduate degree, students must complete the minimum graduate credits required for the program in appropriate graduate study. Up to 12 graduate credits taken at the University at Albany may be applied simultaneously to both the undergraduate and to the graduate programs. The credit amount eligible for double counting will vary based on the graduate program and may be limited to less than 12 graduate credits. Please confirm the allowable amount with the graduate program. Although it is permissible for combined degree programs to require a minimum of 138 to 193 total credits, faculties responsible for specific combined degree programs may require more than the minimum total credits in order to satisfy the unique characteristics of differing disciplines. Combined degree programs may not, however, require additional baccalaureate major credits that exceed current credit limitations for majors.
4. Because of the wide range of total credits required in professional graduate degrees (30-73), total credit-hour requirements for combined baccalaureate-professional graduate degree programs can be approved on a range from 138 to 193 credits.
    
5. Exceptions to the program minima stated in sections 3 and 4 may be approved by the Graduate Academic Council and/or Undergraduate Academic Council.
    
6. All combined degree programs must be approved by both the Graduate Academic Council and Undergraduate Academic Council. Programs will be monitored under procedures jointly established by both academic councils.

Admissions and Administrative Procedures

1. Students may be admitted to an integrated degree program at the beginning of their junior year, or after the successful completion of 56 credits. A GPA of 3.2 or higher and three supportive letters of recommendation from faculty are required.
    
2. Students are considered undergraduates until they have accumulated 120 credits, satisfied all degree requirements and been awarded the baccalaureate degree.  However, although students who have failed to satisfy “all degree requirements” will not be granted the baccalaureate degree until all undergraduate requirements are met, please be aware that for determining such matters as whether students pay undergraduate or graduate tuition, the following policy applies:  Although admitted to an integrated degree program, a student will be considered as an undergraduate student for the purposes of tuition billing, financial aid, and enrollment identification until qualified to receive the bachelor's degree or until enrolled in the 13th credit of graduate coursework.  Once a student is qualified to receive the bachelor's degree or enrolls in the 13th credit of graduate course work, the student will be considered a graduate student for tuition billing, financial aid and enrollment identification, and will be eligible for graduate assistantships, fellowships, and loans.
   
   Students’ progress through the combined program will be reviewed in the Office of the Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education to ensure timely completion of the undergraduate degree.  Academic advisors of bachelor’s-graduate programs and students themselves should also attend to course enrollment choices that lead to timely completion of undergraduate requirements. Students interested in further information regarding the combined programs should contact the appropriate program’s department chair.
3. A student who enters a second bachelor’s program and then subsequently applies and gains admission to a combined second bachelor’s/graduate program will be considered as an undergraduate student for the purposes of tuition billing, financial aid, and enrollment identification until completion of 12 credits of graduate course work or qualified to receive the second bachelor’s degree.  Once a student is qualified to receive the second bachelor's degree or enrolls in the 13th credit of graduate course work, the student will be considered a graduate student for tuition billing, financial aid and enrollment identification, and will be eligible for graduate assistantships, fellowships, and loans.