Dual Degree and Double Major Policy
University Majors
Major
A major represents the primary field of study for a degree-seeking student. It is a structured plan of study that is part of a degree plan and must have a minimum of 30 semester credit hours. A major is typically 30-78 credit hours*.
- A completed major is shown on the diploma and the transcript.
- A new major must go through the curriculum approval process. In addition, new majors must be approved by the university administration, the TSU Board of Regents, and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.
- Changes to an existing major must be accomplished in accordance with TSU’s curriculum update process.
- Every major will have a Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code attached to it.
- Only formally approved majors will appear in the University Catalog.
*Seventy-eight credits (78) is the highest possibility of credits for a major allowing for 42 credits of University general education core in a 120-credit degree program.
Change of Major
Students seeking to declare a major in a different college or department must first receive permission (Major Transfer Form) from the department’s office of the academic unit (college/school) they to which they seek to transfer from and then a signature (Major Transfer Form) from the department’s office of the academic unit (college/school) they wish to transfer. Change from one academic unit (school/college) to another is initiated by filing a change of academic unit (college/school) form retrieved from the Registrar’s Office.
Multiple Majors
A double major is possible for undergraduate students with two principal fields of study in programs that offer the identical degree type. For example, a student can major in both Mathematics and Computer Science, since both lead to the Bachelor of Science Degree. A triple major is another option, if the same degree title is available for the selected majors: B.A., B.S., B.B.A., etc. Double and triple majors may be in the same academic unit (college/school) or dual degree with multiple majors in different academic units (colleges/schools).
A second major may replace the required (or optional) minor, or it may be completed in addition to a minor in the student’s degree program. The minimum total units required for graduation are set by the primary degree program or major (the first one). It is essential to maintain contact with the major advisor in each department to ensure that all specific requirements are met.
The student’s primary major determines the student’s home academic unit (college/school). The student with a double major follows the degree requirements, policies and procedures of the college offering the primary major/degree program. All majors are declared when the student files an application for degree candidacy. When the student has completed all degree requirements, including those for the second/third major, the academic unit (college/school) of the primary major/degree program awards the degree, along with any academic honors.
To add a second or third major within or outside of your academic unit (college/school), consult with the academic advisor for the new major regarding program requirements and the procedure to declare the major. There may be restrictions on the time of the semester for declaring the major. Declaration of a second or third major does not involve a change of college.
Dual Degree Policy
Dual degrees can be applied for and earned by students interested in fulfilling requirements of two different majors in two different baccalaureate degree (e.g., B.A., B.S., B.B.A.) programs (e.g., a student fulfilling requirements for a B.S. in mathematics and a B.A. in psychology).
Students should plan to graduate from the two degree programs simultaneously and must identify one of the two majors as the primary major, the choice of primary major will determine the students’ academic home of record and graduation-related activities. The University Core Curriculum Requirement and Other Requirement courses may apply towards the first and second majors. Approved students who complete requirements for two majors in two different degree programs may earn two (2) separate degrees from the University.
Students with two majors must follow any application procedures and meet admission requirements that have been established for both majors. In addition, students with two majors must pay applicable major-related fees1 for both fields and are encouraged to use the advising and student services provided by both majors. Decisions about admission to programs, honors, scholastic probation, and dismissal are independently determined by the two Schools or Colleges. A student who chooses to pursue two majors simultaneously is expected to take responsibility for his or her educational development.
| Major | Core Curriculum Requirements | Major Curriculum Requirements | Minor Requirements (if required) | Other Requirements | Total Number of SCH |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Primary Major | Required: 42 SCH | Minimum of 30 SCH as required by the primary major | As required by the department offering the minor1 | As required by the primary major | Minimum of 120 SCH |
| Secondary Major | N/A | Minimum of 30 SCH as required by the secondary major | N/A | N/A | Minimum of 30 SCH |
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Courses required by the secondary major may be used to satisfy the minor requirements if the courses are also required by the minor.
Students should be advised that Financial Aid will support only up to 180 credit hours of coursework.
Double Major Policy
Double majors can be applied for and earned by students interested in fulfilling requirements of two different majors (e.g., Journalism and Organizational Communication) that are either within the same discipline (e.g., communication) or of two different majors within the same baccalaureate degree (e.g., B.A., B.S., B.B.A.) program (e.g. a student fulfilling requirements for a B.S. in mathematics and a B.S. in elementary education).
Students should plan to graduate from the two majors simultaneously and must identify one of the two majors as the primary major, the primary major will determine the students’ academic home of record and graduation-related activities. The University Core Curriculum Requirement and Other Requirement courses may apply towards the first and second majors. Approved students who complete requirements for two majors may earn one (1) degree from the University that lists both majors. Students with two majors must follow any application procedures and meet admission requirements that have been established for both majors. In addition, students with two majors must pay applicable major-related fees for both fields and are encouraged to use the advising and student services provided by both majors.
Decisions about admission to programs, honors, scholastic probation, and dismissal are independently determined by the two schools or colleges. A student who chooses to pursue two majors simultaneously is expected to take responsibility for his or her educational development.
| Major | Core Curriculum Requirements | Major Curriculum Requirements | Minor Requirements (if required) | Other Requirements | Total Number of SCH |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Primary Major | Required: 42 SCH | Minimum of 30 SCH as required by the primary major | As required by the department offering the minor1 | As required by the primary major | Minimum of 120 SCH |
| Secondary Major | N/A | Minimum of 30 SCH as required by the secondary major | N/A | N/A | Minimum of 30 SCH |
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Courses required by the secondary major may be used to satisfy the minor requirements if the courses are also required by the minor.
Students should be advised that Financial Aid will support only up to 180 credit hours of coursework.
jOINT DEGREE POLICY
A program established, coordinated, and awarded jointly between two schools and or colleges.
Post-Baccalaureate Degree Policy
A student who has received a bachelor’s degree from Texas Southern University or another accredited college or university may enroll in a program leading to a second degree at the baccalaureate level provided:
- the field of study is different from the first degree earned and
- the appropriate application for admission or re-admission is filed and approved. No honors are awarded for the second baccalaureate degree.
Students seeking a second baccalaureate degree after receiving the first degree must:
- Be in residence for a minimum of two (2) semesters as a full-time student if the first or previous degree was not earned at Texas Southern University.
- Complete no less than thirty (30) semester hours that satisfy the requirements for the field of study of the second degree. These hours should be beyond those applied to the first or previous degree and excluding transfer credits or substitutions and complying with requirements.
- Achieve a cumulative minimum grade point average of 2.00 for all hours attempted for the degree.
| Core Curriculum Requirements | Major Curriculum Requirements | Minor Requirements | Other Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| N/A | All courses required by the major field of study. (No less than 30 semester hours) | N/A | N/A |