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Claremont Graduate University offers students an opportunity to establish graduate expertise in two related fields at the same time by undertaking concurrent degrees or an interfield degree. Note that the terms “dual degrees” (two degrees) and “interfield” (two programs, one degree) apply only to enrollments entirely at CGU.
Programs are also offered in collaboration with other institutions and are called “joint programs.”
The following qualifications apply to all dual and interfield programs.
Admissions Approval. The addition of any program to a student’s enrollment requires the approval of the admissions committee of the new program. A Degree Program Change Request form, available from the Registrar’s Form Index webpage, must be presented to both the student’s existing and new departments. Departments reserve the right to require additional information from the applicant, including new test scores and letters of recommendation specific to the field being added. Policies and limitations in the Program Changes section of the Bulletin apply.
Transfer Credit. Transfer credit policies apply. Limitations apply to transferring credit for multiple programs, including the total number of units which can be transferred into CGU. Coursework previously accepted from an external institution for one degree program may not be transferred again for another CGU degree, although the total units of a completed degree at CGU may, with limitations, be applied toward another degree from CGU. See the Transfer Credit Limitations sections specific to dual degrees and interfields.
Crediting Units for Degree Completion. Units earned at CGU may be used toward completion of requirements in no more than two degrees. Other restrictions may apply.
Degree Completion Requirements. Students enrolled in multiple degrees or in an approved interfield degree program are required to complete all requirements for the two degrees or fields. Within the first semester, either a Dual Degree Coursework Proposal form or an Interfield Coursework Proposal form (available on the Registrar’s Form Index webpage) should be completed to specify requirements which must be met to receive the degree(s). The appropriate courework proposal form must be filed in the Registrar’s Office.
The term dual degree means that the student is enrolled in two CGU degree programs simultaneously. Generally, two master’s degree programs are involved; however, students may also consider a master’s and a doctoral program combination. Students are assigned advisors in each program and must complete the requirements for each degree. Upon graduation, students receive two diplomas, one for each degree. Simultaneous completion of the two degrees is not required.
Customized Programs. While formal degree programs exist, students may seek to design an individual program to meet their academic and professional goals. All programs are subject to the approval of both departments and the University’s Academic Standards Committee. To ensure compliance with CGU policies and procedures regarding dual degrees, students should work closely with both of the academic departments involved.
Application. Dual degree programs require the approval of the faculty and deans of the two departments or programs. Students must apply to a dual degree program prior to the completion of 16 units at CGU, with the exception of students pursuing a dual program between the Financial Engineering, MS and the Mathematics, MS who may apply to the dual program up until the semester they plan to complete the Financial Engineering, MS.
Required Units. Units for each degree are specified in the program sections for the applicable degree.
Transfer Credit Limits. Transfer credit policies apply with the following limitations or exclusions.
- No more than 12 semester units may be transferred for students pursuing a master’s/doctoral program combination.
- No units may be transferred into dual master’s programs.
Degree Requirements. Students must complete the requirements for each of the two degrees. Up to 35% of the CGU units required for one degree may be used, if applicable, towards the second degree.
Restriction: Dual degrees are restricted to fields that are sufficiently different as to require separate curricula. Dual degrees are not permitted for fields that are so close in subject content that any course from one field would satisfy requirements of the second. Generally, dual degrees are not permitted for two degrees offered through the same academic department except by petition.
Other Information. Dual degree policies, procedures, and forms are available on the Registrar’s webpages.
Interfield degrees refer to degree programs that span or combine two disciplines or fields. Only one degree is earned.
Eligibility. New and continuing students may apply for an interfield degree. Students wishing to transfer in must maintain a GPA of 3.0 or higher. Students with an Incomplete (I) or Grade Pending (GP) on their student record from CGU must resolve the ‘I’ or the ‘GP’ before applying to an interfield program. Students with an ‘Unsatisfactory’ (U) on their record from CGU cannot apply for an interfield program. Guidelines and forms for resolving grade issues are available on the Registrar’s webpages.
Required Units. Generally, a minimum of 44-48 units are required for completion of a master’s interfield; a minimum of 80 units are required for completion of a doctoral interfield.
Transfer Credit Limits. Transfer credit policies and limitations apply.
Earning a Master’s Degree while Pursuing an Interfield Doctorate. Interfield doctoral students may receive a master’s degree in one but not both fields. Refer to the section on Master’s Degree Regulations.
Degree Name. The naming policy for interfield degrees is to combine the exact titles of the two existing degrees with “and.” For example, an interfield degree between the PhD in Information Systems & Technology and the PhD in Political Science where Information Systems & Technology is the primary field would be titled: PhD in Information Systems & Technology and Political Science. The one exception to this policy is an interfield degree between the International Studies and Politics & Government departments; in this case the interfield degree title is PhD in Political Science and International Politics.
Other Information. Policies, procedures, and forms are available on the Registrar’s webpages.
Interfield Master’s Programs
Application. Prior to students enrolling in an interfield master’s program, curricular agreements must be made between each participating department (only two) and the Transdisciplinary Studies program. A list of approved interfield master’s programs is available in the Degrees & Certificates section of the Bulletin. Students may petition for additional interfield program combinations not listed. Students may either seek direct admission to the program when applying for master’s study, or they may transfer into an interfield master’s program at the end of their first term. All interfield student applications will be reviewed by both participating departments, as well as by Transdisciplinary Studies.
The application for an interfield master’s program not previously approved and listed in the Degrees & Certificates section of the Bulletin must include:
- Interfield Personal Statement. This statement justifies why an interfield degree will allow for and/or create experiences that are not possible within a currently offered single degree field and how an interfield degree will present similar or greater employment opportunities and experiences not available with a single degree field.
- Interfield Coursework Proposal Form. This form acts as the contract for the interfield degree and defines the specific program details and requirements to be completed by the student.
- Specific title of the interfield degree (see below for naming conventions);
- Courses to be taken, grouped within each disciplinary area;
- Subject areas and format for any qualifying examinations;
- Research tools and/or foreign languages to be completed in the program;
- Any capstone project, paper, or thesis to be completed for the program.
Interfield Doctoral Programs
Application. Students may apply directly to an interfield program before matriculating or current students may transfer to an interfield program. The approval of the faculty advisors for both fields, chairs of the two respective programs, and the Director of the Transdisciplinary Studies Program is required for students wishing to be considered for a doctoral interfield degree.
Prior to end of the student’s first semester in an interfield program, the student in collaboration with the faculty advisors of both fields and the Transdisciplinary Studies Program must complete the following:
- Interfield Personal Statement. This statement justifies why an interfield degree will allow for and/or create experiences that are not possible within a currently offered single degree field and how an interfield degree will present similar or greater employment opportunities and experiences not available with a single degree field.
- Interfield Coursework Proposal Form. This form acts as the contract for the interfield degree and defines the specific program details and requirements to be completed by the student.
- Specific title of the interfield degree (see below for naming conventions);
- Courses to be taken, grouped within each disciplinary area;
- Subject areas and format for the qualifying examinations;
- Research tools and/or foreign languages to be completed in the program.
Once approved by the respective faculty advisors, chairs, and the Transdisciplinary Studies Program director, the personal statement and coursework proposal form must be submitted to the Registrar’s Office for processing.
Claremont Graduate University offers a number of joint doctoral programs through collaborations with other institutions. Students enrolled in joint programs are responsible for complying with all policies and procedures of the two institutions involved.
- At CGU, a continuous student status is required, with the student enrolled in one of the two institutions each term.
- During the student’s graduation semester, enrollment is required at both institutions.
- The joint doctoral student is responsible for advising each institution of any changes to student status at either institution. Changes to student status include leaves of absence and withdrawals.
- Graduation requirements of both institutions apply.
Additional information is available on the Registar’s webpages.
CGU offers the following joint doctoral programs
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