Graduate Double Counting Joint-Degree
Graduate Double Counting Joint-Degree
Policy Type: Academic Policy
Date Adopted: March 11, 2025
Version: 1.0
Review Cycle: Every three years
Next Review Date: March 11, 2028
Office Responsible: Office of the Graduate Programs
Contact: Director of Graduate Programs
Purpose
This policy exists for the purpose of computing the double counting of credit hours for University of Michigan-Flint graduate students pursuing joint-degrees outside of a Rackham-approved program.
Definitions
Joint-Degree: This is an accelerated graduate degree that creates an opportunity for exceptional undergraduate students to obtain both their undergraduate and graduate degrees by completing some undergraduate course requirements at the graduate level leading to a substantial savings in time and money. The graduate credit hours that satisfy undergraduate degree requirements also reduce the credit hours needed for the graduate degree and are typically referred to as double counting or credit sharing. Joint-degree programs that rely on double counting to reduce time-to-degree are often referred to as “4+1, 3+2 or 3+3 accelerated programs”.
Joint-Degree Double Counting Policy
The maximum number of graduate level credits that can be counted toward an undergraduate degree are outlined below. Joint-degree program proposals must specify which courses in the graduate curriculum can be double counted with the undergraduate requirements and how they fit into the undergraduate program of study. This can be done by specifying which specific graduate courses replace required undergraduate courses, as well as which courses from the graduate program may replace undergraduate 300+ level elective courses.
Typically, graduate programs designate graduate courses with similar subject-matter to undergraduate degree requirements (i.e. allowing joint-degree students to take the 500 level course corresponding to a similar 400 level undergraduate requirement). Graduate level double counted courses are delivered at a higher level of rigor and must not be taken until students are officially admitted into the graduate program.
Maximum Number of Graduate Level Credits
Maximum number of graduate level credits taken as an undergraduate that can be counted toward a graduate degree:
- A maximum of 50% of the graduate degree can be taken as an undergraduate. These credits must be in courses designed for graduate work.
- Departments and programs may limit the double-counting of credit hours below the maximum, but may not allow double-counting above the limit. Some programs may not allow double-counting of credit hours.
Version History
| Date of Change | Version | Description of Change |
|---|---|---|
| March 11, 2025 | 1.0 | Adopted |
For questions about graduate joint-degree programs, please contact the Director of Graduate Programs in the Office of the Graduate Programs.