Double Major/Dual Degree Policy
The New York State Department of Education states the conferral of two associate, baccalaureate, graduate, and professional degrees should be reserved to recognize that a student has competencies in two essentially different areas.
A student with a strong academic record, generally a 3.00 or higher cumulative GPA, may elect to take a second major with the approval of the department chair of the second major and the dean or associate or vice dean of the college/school of the first major.
- Awarding of Degrees with the Same Classification is Not Permitted
The New York State Department of Education does not permit Pace University to confer two Associate in Arts, Associate in Science, Bachelors of Arts, Bachelors of Science, or any combination of these degrees.
The New York State Department of Education does not permit Pace University to confer two different Masters degrees, i.e. Business Administration or Master of Science degrees, Master of Arts degrees, etc., or any combination of these degrees.
- Double Major
If the student selects two majors with the same degree (AA, AAS, BA, or BS), regardless of college/school, then the requirements for both majors need to be fulfilled. In addition, students may potentially fulfill the requirements for both majors without exceeding 128 credits, depending upon the two baccalaureate majors selected.
- Dual Degree
If the two majors are different degrees (i.e., dual degrees, e.g., BBA marketing and BA speech communication, JD), then in addition to fulfilling all course requirements for both majors and degrees, a minimum of 32 credits is required to be completed beyond the requirements for the first degree or a minimum total of at least 160 credits for both degrees.
If the first program requires 120 credits, the additional minimal required credits should be 32 from the second degree. In some cases this number will be more depending on the major courses that the student is required to complete.
The University Core Curriculum that must be followed completely is from the first major, however if there are some courses that are required for the second degree that are not required by the first degree, they must be completed as well. Please note: The University Core Curriculum and Open Electives can be double counted without approval.
The student is required to take all the core and major requirements from the first degree/major as well as all the major requirements from the second degree/major.
Any combinations that are not listed above can be reviewed by the Registrar’s office for approval. Also, any courses that will be credited for the first degree in addition to the second degree will require approval from the Dean and Provost.
Additional Double Major/Dual Degree Information
Below are examples of acceptable combinations of dual degrees (degree credential types):
- BBA combined with a BA, or BS (all schools), or BFA
- BFA combined with a BA, or BS (all schools), or BBA
Combined Degree Programs:
- BBA/MS or MBA combined with a BA, or BS, or BFA
- BA/MA or MS combined with a BBA or BFA
- BS/MA or MS combined with a BBA or BFA
If the two majors are different degrees (i.e. dual degrees e.g., BBA marketing and BA speech communication), then in addition to fulfilling all course requirements for both majors and degrees, a minimum of 32 credits is required to be completed beyond the requirements for the first degree or a minimum total of at least 160 credits for both degrees.
If the first program requires 120 credits, the additional minimal required credits should be 32 from the 2nd degree. In some cases this number will be more depending on the major courses that the student is required to complete.
The University Core Curriculum that must be followed completely is from the first major, however if there are some courses that are required for the 2nd degree that are not required by the first , they must be completed as well.
Please note: The University Core Curriculum can be double counted without approval.
The student is required to take all the core and major requirements from the first degree/major as well as all the major requirements from the 2nd degree/major.
Any combinations that are not listed above can be reviewed by the Office of the Registrar for approval. Also, any courses that will be credited for the first degree in addition to the second degree will require approval from the Dean and Provost.
BA degrees require a minimum of 90 Liberal Arts credits, therefore cannot be combined with a BS. There overlap of liberal arts will not justify the awarding of both degrees.
Double majors:
Students with a strong academic record, generally a 3.00 or higher cumulative GPA, may elect to take a second major with the approval of the department chair of the second major and the dean/advisor of the school of the first major.
You can only apply for a double major when the second major is in the same degree e.g. BS, CS and BS Biology.
Examples of acceptable combinations of double majors (degree credential types)
- BS with BS from any other school
- BA with BA from any other school
- BBA with BBA
- BFA with BFA
These programs are considered double majors and will only require 120/128 credits or the required amount for programs.
Updated: February 9, 2024