Graduate Dual Degrees : Student Initiated Dual Degree

Ross graduate students who wish to pursue a dual degree with a graduate program at UM-Ann Arbor that is not currently an established dual degree may be eligible to pursue a Student Initiated Dual Degree (SIDD).  Students should review the following information and policies carefully.

Full-Time MBA students pursuing a dual degree that is not an established dual degree program can apply for a Student Initiated Dual Degree. Global MBA, Online MBA, MM, MAcc, MSCM, and MBAn students pursuing a dual degree must follow the Student Initiated Dual Degree requirements outlined on this page.

Application:

Applicants interested in a Student Initiated Dual Degree program must file separate applications to and be admitted by both programs independently. Visit Admissions for information on the Ross MBA. Keep in mind:

  • Students must apply, be admitted to, and begin coursework for the second degree program within the first half of their initial degree program to be eligible for a Ross dual degree. It is recommended that students speak with an advisor in both programs during the Admission process to ensure that both schools will be open to the pursuit of the SIDD.

  • Once admitted to both programs, students may submit the SIDD application to Ross Graduate Academic Advising.  Approval of one’s proposed SIDD plan is not guaranteed, and each student plan must follow specific rules. Student Initiated Dual Degree programs, which are reviewed on a case by case basis, must be approved by both program departments.

Degree Requirements:

Students approved for a SIDD program must complete degree requirements for both programs and degrees must be awarded simultaneously. Completion of both colleges’ requirements results in two different degree citations on the transcript and in two separate diplomas.

The MBA SIDD program requirements include:

  1. A minimum of 45 Business Administration credits, made up of:

    • The (roughly) 30 credit hour MBA core curriculum (No credit is awarded for Business Administration core courses successfully waived – those credits must be replaced with Business electives. See MBA Bulletin for specific core requirements)

    • Roughly 15 elective hours in Business Administration

    • MBA Communication Requirement

    • Internship Requirement (No credit is earned for the internship)

  2. Successful completion of the partner program’s degree requirements. List of required courses and credits to be set and approved by program advisor.

  3. A minimum number of total combined credits are required (57 Ross credits and the total partner program credits for a non-dual degree student). For each SIDD program there will be a maximum number of credits that may be “double counted” (number varies by program; to be agreed upon by the two programs’ advisors). No more than one-sixth (1/6) of the total combined required credits may be double counted. See Ross Graduate Advising for details; Rackham students may refer to the Rackham Student Handbook for further details.

For Global MBA, Online MBA, MM, MAcc, MSCM, and MBAn SIDD program requirements, contact Ross Graduate Advising.

MM students whose other program requires a for-credit internship must complete this internship the summer after MM coursework is completed.

Enrollment:

For most three year MBA dual programs, students spend one year enrolled (and paying tuition) under one school and a second year enrolled under the second school (e.g. Rackham). In the third year, students combine courses from both schools and will enroll for one term under Ross and one term under the second school. Students should see an advisor to determine an appropriate plan of study, keeping the following Ross policies in mind:

  • Each term, students should be enrolled for all classes under just one school’s registration in Wolverine Access.

  • Full-Time MBA dual degree students must enroll under the Business Administration career in Wolverine Access for a minimum of 3 terms of full-time enrollment (full-time enrollment is defined as 9 credit hours or more of coursework per term).

  • Part-Time: Online MBA dual degree students must register for a minimum of 45 credits worth of courses under the Business Administration career.

Progress Toward Graduation:

Students are responsible for meeting with advisors in both programs to track progress toward graduation. Upon completion of the requirements of both programs, students are granted concurrent degrees. The student must earn both degrees in the same degree period. (Neither degree will be awarded until all requirements for both programs are satisfied.) To graduate, students must:

  1. Meet with an advisor from both schools in their final term to confirm they are on track to meet both degree requirements.

  2. Apply for graduation on Wolverine Access under both careers for the same graduation term.

  3. Submit any other paperwork required for the specific dual degree. Rackham students must be sure to submit the Dual/Joint Degree Election Form in their final term. Further information can be found on the Rackham website: http://www.rackham.umich.edu/.

Advising appointments for dual degree issues are available throughout the year. From the Academic Counseling Appointments web site, select “MBA Dual Degree Advising/Issues” to schedule an appointment.

Prospective or recently Admitted MBA’s may contact rossgradacadadvising@umich.edu.

Forms:

Student Initiated Dual Degree Application– Download copy for fillable form