Joint Programs
Joint programs are opportunities for students to pursue two degrees (either simultaneously or consecutively), while allowing some shared course hours to be applied to both degrees. As a result, students can earn two degrees while completing fewer hours than would have been the case had the student obtained the degrees separately.
The degrees awarded in the joint program each must be approved, established degree programs. The number and percentage of shared course hours are unique to each joint program, and these must be detailed in each proposal to establish a joint program. However, the following shared course hours policies do apply:
- Joint programs that combine bachelor's and master's degrees require a minimum total of 143 earned semester hours. (A maximum of nine semester hours of coursework may be applied toward both the undergraduate and graduate degrees). These joint programs are included in the UIC Undergraduate Catalog's list of undergraduate degree programs.
- Other joint programs should have no more than 25% of the total hours for both degrees as shared coursework. Joint degrees that combine graduate and/or professional degree programs appear in their own section of the UIC Graduate Catalog.
The procedures to establish, revise, or eliminate joint degree programs are described below. Please note that revisions include changes to the requirements of either degree, as well as instances in which a college is proposing to rename one of the degrees.
Joint Program Resources Heading link
Establish a Joint Degree with the UIC School of Law Heading link
Taking into consideration the vision established for the UIC School of Law, and the number of joint degree programs currently under discussion, it is necessary to screen requests being made to initiate a joint program involving UIC School of Law. Before submitting proposals for approval at the college level, all proposals require an initial review and approval from the Provost and the Law School Dean. After this approval, the request may proceed through the standard process.
Please submit the initial request form, and contact Dana Wright with any questions.
Establish or Revise a Joint Degree Program Heading link
In the program proposal, the description of the joint degree program should address the specific admission requirements and degree requirements (with shared courses clearly identified, usually in narrative form and in table format). The justification should articulate the usefulness of the joint degree as well as sufficient rationale for the specific shared coursework.
The establishment and revision joint degree programs must be approved at each of the governance levels listed below before final approval is issued by Academic Programs.
- College(s). Proposals are approved according to procedures established by the college or colleges. This process may involve the colleges’ educational policy committee and, in some cases, the colleges’ full faculty. To establish a joint degree program, use the Establishing a Joint Degree form to prepare the proposal, and complete the Joint Degree Articulation Agreement. [The agreement should also be reviewed and updated (as needed) anytime the requirements are revised for one or both programs.] To revise a joint degree program, use the Submitting Changes to Academic Programs form. [Note: For a simple change, such as renaming one of the degree programs, it may be possible to use the Short Form.]
- Academic Programs (AP). Once the college has approved the proposal, it should be forwarded via email it to Dana Wright.
- Graduate College. Reviewed and approved by the Graduate College Executive Committee and/or staff if graduate students may be impacted.
- Senate Committee on Educational Policy (SCEP)
- UIC Senate
- University Senates Conference
- Board of Trustees (BOT). New joint degree programs are reported to the BOT as informational items. Revisions to existing joint degree programs are generally not reported to the BOT, but would be communicated if one of the degrees were being renamed or redesignated (e.g., BFA to BDes).
- Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE). New joint degree programs are included on a list of program changes that AP annually submits to the IBHE. Revisions to existing joint degree programs are generally not reported to the IBHE.
Eliminate a Joint Degree Program Heading link
The elimination of a joint degree program must be approved at each of the governance levels listed below before final approval is issued by Academic Programs. Once approved, the joint program is removed from the UIC Academic Catalog.
- College(s). Proposals are approved according to procedures established by the college or colleges. This process may involve the colleges’ educational policy committee and, in some cases, the colleges’ full faculty. Use the Eliminating an Academic Program or Suspending Admissions form to prepare the proposal.
- Academic Programs (AP). Once the college has approved the proposal, it should be forwarded via email it to Dana Wright.
- Graduate College. Reviewed and approved by the Graduate College Executive Committee and/or staff if graduate students may be impacted.
- Senate Committee on Educational Policy (SCEP)
- UIC Senate
- University Senates Conference
- Board of Trustees (BOT). Reported to the BOT as an informational item.