Additional Majors, Specializations, Second Degrees and Dual Degrees
Most of the 120 (or 123) credits required for a MSU Bachelor’s degree come from the required University, College and department courses. Additional credits, however, may be needed to reach the total 120 (123) credits. These credits, called general elective credits, may be taken in any discipline or any level.
There are many ways to choose electives. One way is to use your electives toward another credential, such as an additional major, specialization or second undergraduate degree.
In certain circumstances, it ia also possible to complete a "dual degree" in which the BS couses lead directly into the MS program.
"Minor" = Additional major
At MSU, "additional major" is the official term for a "minor." Students who concentrate all of their general elective work entirely in another department may choose to pursue an additional major with those credits. That department will specify which courses are required. Usually these are the courses required for department requirements, but occasionally some College requirements are included too. Additional majors frequently are around 33 - 35 credits, but if College requirements are included, it could be more. With advance planning, it is possible to complete the additional major alongside the primary major, WITHIN THE REGULAR 120 (123) CREDITS needed for the Bachelor’s degree.
Upon graduation, a notation is made on the student’s transcript:
"______ has completed the departmental requirements for an additional major in ________." No diploma is awarded, and the additional major is not noted on the diploma for the primary degree.
Make an appointment with the advisor in the appropriate department to:
- obtain a list of requirements for that program
- process the appropriate paperwork to add this to your academic record
- verify that the departmental requirements are being met
An additional major usually provides sufficient background to attend graduate school in that subject. Check with each graduate school that you wish to attend to be certain.
Specializations
A different type of additional major at MSU is an interdisciplinary program called a “specialization,” which focuses on a particular subject which crosses disciplines at MSU. Like the additional major, it is obtained by meeting the requirements for that program alongside the primary degree requirements. The number of required credits for specializations varies, but it usually is in the range of 23 to 35. Again, like the additional major, the advisor for the program can provide a list of requirements and begin to process the appropriate paperwork to add the specialization to a student’s record.
A full list of formal specializations is available. For Zoology majors, appropriate specializations might be: Agribusiness Management; Aquaculture; Bioethics Humanities and Society; Cognitive Science; Conservation and Environmental Law Enforcement; Environmental Studies; Health Promotion; Marine Ecosystem Management; Museum Studies; Public Relations or Spatial Information Processing.
A Second Undergraduate Degree
Undergraduate students also may choose to complete all of the degree requirements for two separate degrees. Requirements for the second undergraduate degree may be completed alongside those for the primary degree, or a student may choose to complete all of the requirements for the primary degree before those of the second degree. A minimum of 150 (153) credits is required for two degrees, and usually the student is held to department and College requirements for both degrees.
Upon graduation, the student will receive two diplomas.
Make an appointment with the advisor in that department to:
- obtain a list of requirements for that program
- process the appropriate paperwork to add this to your academic record
- verify that the departmental requirements are being met
A second degree should give you sufficient background to attend graduate school in that area. To be certain, check with each graduate school that you wish to attend.
Dual-degree: BS / MS
Yet another option for College of Natural Science students is to pursue a dual-degree (BS / MS) from Departments within the College.
The BS and the MS do not have to be from the same Department although in most cases they are. To apply, students must have completed a minimum of 60 undergraduate credits and have a minimum 3.0 GPA (overall and in CNS courses); they also should have approval for admission from the department to the respective graduate program. Course credits will count toward either the undergraduate or the graduate program: they cannot count both degrees simultaneously.
Contact the College of Natural Science for more information on this process.