Belmont Abbey College

The Catholic College of the South

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Dual Degree Policy

Dual Degree “4+1” Pathway Program Policy


Authority: Provost’s Office Enacted: 12/11/2024 Final

Purpose
To promote graduate education and reduce the cost related to the earning of a graduate degree, and streamline the pathway for graduate enrollment, Belmont Abbey College provides select dual degree opportunities for academically qualified undergraduates to earn graduate credit while completing a bachelor’s degree. This is an accelerated pathway to graduate program enrollment.

Policy
A dual (or combined) degree program is a formal plan of study for completing both a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree, where students gain early entry to graduate coursework. Dual degree programs are established through the College’s curriculum and course development process.

Course and degree requirements for the dual degree program must be the same as for the separate and distinct bachelor’s and master’s degree programs.

The dual degree program must total 150 credit hours or more, with a minimum of 120 undergraduate credits, and a minimum of 30 graduate credits. The exact number of credits required will vary by program. Up to 12 graduate credit hours can be earned during the final 30 credit hours of the bachelor’s degree.

To apply for acceptance into a dual degree program, a student must:

  • Must have earned at least 60 undergraduate credits to apply:
  • Have an overall undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher;
  • Meet all requirements set forth by the academic department as per their dual-degree program requirements;
  • Review their financial assistance and/or tuition discount eligibility with Financial Aid prior to applying for a dual degree program;
  • Submit an application to the graduate school and indicate an intended program of study.

Once accepted into a dual degree program, a student:

  • Agrees to comply with all policies and procedures of the graduate school as published in the Graduate Bulletin;
  • May not enroll in any graduate courses while an undergraduate unless and until they have earned at least 90 credit hours towards their undergraduate degree and have senior standing;
  • May enroll in up to 12 graduate credit hours during the final 30 credit hours of the bachelor’s degree;
  • Must graduate with the bachelor’s degree once all requirements for that degree are met;
  • Remains classified as an undergraduate student and is charged undergraduate tuition and fees until the bachelor’s degree is awarded;
  • Is classified as a graduate student and is charged graduate tuition and fees after the bachelor’s degree is awarded;
  • Can continue enrolling in graduate coursework provided an overall graduate GPA of 3.0 and an overall undergraduate GPA of 3.0 are maintained;
  • Must remain continuously enrolled each semester as a graduate student upon bachelor’s degree conferral, or will be required to re-apply to the graduate school following existing procedures.

Communication: This policy is published in the Undergraduate Catalogue, the Graduate Bulletin, & college website and is distributed via the Chairs Council, Provost’s Council, & Graduate Council.