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Multiple Degrees

DOUBLE MAJOR

An undergraduate student may elect to pursue two majors by simultaneously completing the prescribed requirements for two majors. A student pursuing a double major must:

Complete all requirements for the primary major including all general education requirements, major requirements, and specified elective or support courses on the degree plan (sometimes listed as support courses, technical electives, restricted electives, or designated electives).

Complete all requirements for the second major, including prerequisites, and associated specified elective or support courses. Note that a course may not be used to satisfy a requirement for both majors unless otherwise specified in a formal double-major degree plan. However, if the primary major requires a minor or free electives, those hours can be satisfied with course requirements from a second major.

Comply with all other requirements for graduation listed in the Undergraduate Catalog.

The student will indicate one of the majors as a “primary” major and will receive the degree associated with that major. The student’s diploma will list both majors. For example, a student who indicates that his or her primary major is Biology who elects to also complete a second major in Art will receive a single diploma listing a B.S. in Biology with a second major in Art. Students are not permitted to pursue more than two majors. The student will receive one diploma with both majors noted.

Students wishing to pursue a double major must submit a Change of Major online form to declare the second major. Upon graduation, a student with a double major will be scheduled for the commencement ceremony corresponding with the student’s primary major.

SECOND DEGREE

Applying as a Second Degree-Seeking Student

  1. Admissions: Students who have completed a bachelor’s degree and wish to obtain a second or subsequent bachelor’s degree in a different discipline are required to submit a Transfer application through Apply Texas.  Students who earned their first degree at UTRGV (or UTPA) and are applying for a second bachelor’s degree need to submit a Readmit Application on Apply Texas.
  2. Transcripts: Students must submit an official transcript for bachelor’s degree verification as part of the application process.

Second Major Restrictions

  1. Major: A second-degree seeking student must declare a major upon application. Undecided and the Bachelor of Multidisciplinary Studies are not options for second-degree seeking students.
  2. Double Major: A second-degree seeking student may not double major.
  3. Minor: Students may not seek a minor in the discipline of the major for which they have earned their first degree.
  4. Change of Major: A second-degree seeking student may not change majors without advisor approval.

Curriculum Requirements for Second Degree-Seeking Students

  1. Program Requirements Applicable to All Students: Second-degree seeking students must meet all requirements for the additional majors as set forth in this catalog. This includes, but is not limited to, major specific core curriculum Requirements, major requirements, prescribed electives, support Courses, concentrations, and minors and program specific admission, progression, and graduation requirements.
  2. History and Political Science Requirements for Graduates of Out-of-State or Private Universities: Second-degree seeking students who earned a bachelor’s degree at an out-of-state or private university must complete at least 6 credit hours of American History and 6 credits hours of Political Science covering the Constitutions of the United States and Texas if not previously completed as part of the first degree.
  3. General Education Requirements for Graduates of Out-of-State or Private Universities: Second-degree seeking students from out-of-state or private universities may have completed a General Education Curriculum as part of their first bachelor’s degree; however, the General Education courses completed may differ significantly from those required by UTRGV and other Texas state institutions. Consequently, out-of-state and private school applicants may need to complete courses from the UTRGV Core Curriculum (i.e., the General Education Curriculum) in addition to completing requirements of the second major.
  4. Prerequisites and Co-Requisites: Students must fulfill all prerequisites and corequisites required for the second degree. This may require students to complete courses not listed on the degree plan of the second major.

Transfer of Credit for Second Degree-Seeking Students

Transfer of Credit for Students with Previous Credit Earned at UTRGV

Second-degree seeking students who have completed a bachelor’s degree at UTRGV will have an institutional academic record that consists of credits and coursework taken towards one or more of the following: (a) a first degree, (b) a minor, and (c) a certificate. Students may also have other coursework on the academic record not specifically applied to any program requirement at UTRGV. Although the coursework on the student’s UTRGV academic record may overlap with courses required on the second major, it will not automatically be applied to requirements of the second degree. For an evaluation of credits applicable towards the second degree, students should meet with an appropriate university personnel who will work directly with the major department, school, or program to determine how/whether coursework and credit from the first degree applies to their second degree.

Transfer of Credit for Students with Previous Credit from External Institutions

Second-degree seeking students with a bachelor’s degree or prior credits from another Texas institution of higher education, out-of-state institution, or private institution must submit official transcripts from each institution of higher education from which they would like to utilize credit toward the second degree at UTRGV; however, the Office of Undergraduate Admissions will not automatically evaluate and post the transfer credit. For an evaluation of credits applicable towards the second degree, students should meet with an appropriate university personnel who will work directly with the major department, school, or program to determine how/whether coursework and credit from the first degree applies to their second degree.

Transfer of Credit After Admission as a Second-Degree Seeking Student: All advanced coursework completed after admission and enrollment at UTRGV as a second-degree seeking student must be taken in residence at UTRGV to be applicable to the second degree.

Courses in Residence at UTRGV for Second Degree-Seeking Students

Residency Requirement

Students must earn a minimum of 30-degree applicable credit hours or 25% of the hours (whichever is greater) required for the second degree through coursework offered at UTRGV. Students who previously earned a bachelor’s degree at UTRGV must also meet the residency requirement for the second degree.

Advanced Credit Hours

Of hours required for residency, students must complete a minimum of 15 credit hours at the advanced level (3000/4000) in the major subject for the second degree.

Second Degree-Seeking Students With Foreign Coursework

Students with foreign coursework must submit official foreign transcripts. Certified English translations must accompany a copy of the original foreign transcripts and course syllabi in addition to an evaluation from Foreign Credentials of America (FCSA) or World Evaluation Services (WES) or SPANTRAN. See International Admissions and Student Services for more information.