double major, dual degree program and second master's degree.

Second Master's Degree

Use of graduate credit earned for the first degree will be treated in the same manner as transfer credit from another institution if applied to the requirements for the second degree. Up to one-third of the course work required for the second master's degree may consist of courses from a previous graduate degree. All other policies regarding graduate programs apply.

Masters Degree with a Double Major

The professional/scholastic goals of some masters students may be enhanced substantially by acquiring more knowledge of a second field than is currently provided by the option of earning a minor, yet they may not need a dual degree (i.e., two masters degrees in separate majors, typically 60+ credit hours). The UNO Graduate Council has approved the concept of providing masters degree students with the option of attaining a double major within the same degree (e.g., master of arts in two different majors). For instance, a student may be permitted, with proper approvals, to pursue a master of arts degree in the majors of history and geography because these majors lead to the master of arts degree. One could not attain a double major in history and biology because these majors lead only to the master of arts and the master of science degrees, respectively.

• Applicants choosing the double major will submit one application and fee and clearly specify they are seeking a double major. In addition, the applicant must specify which department/school is to consider the application first and whether or not she/he is applying for support from one or both departments/schools.
• The graduate committee of the first department/school will pass the application to the second graduate committee with the results of its decisions (recommendation for acceptance with support, recommendation for acceptance without support, refusal of admission).
• The prospective student should be aware that a decision to recommend admission by one of the graduate committees does not affect the decision of the other. The criteria for acceptance may differ between programs; admission to one or both of the department's/school's programs does not guarantee acceptance for a double major masters degree.
• Final approval of all applicants rests with the Dean of Graduate Studies. If one major is approved and one denied, the student must submit another application with an additional $45 application fee to apply to another major.

Students accepted into a double-major must meet, at least, the minimum requirements for each of the majors:

• Course work of no less than 18 credit hours in each of the two disciplines
• Courses cross-listed in both majors may only be counted once.
• The precise number of credits may vary depending on the total required hours for a particular major.
• For each of the two majors, students must take at least nine credits in courses open only to graduate students (9000 level or 8000 level), excluding thesis hours.
• The student is required to successfully satisfy the thesis/comprehensive examination or equivalent requirements for each major. In the event that both programs have a thesis requirement, either
• two thesis may be written or
• the content of the thesis may reflect the content of both majors.
• If a joint thesis is elected, the thesis committee shall then consist of two graduate faculty members from each of the major departments/schools and shall be co-chaired by a faculty member from each of the major departments/schools.
• If a student is already pursuing a major in a degree program, then decides he or she would like to obtain a second major, a new application and admission fee is required. The new application must be approved by the original graduate committee prior to review by the second graduate committee. However, once the masters degree is conferred, a second major cannot be attained. Students then would be required to apply for admission to a second masters degree program, and upon acceptance, complete all requirements of a full independent program.

Dual Degree Programs

Dual degree programs must be approved by the Graduate Council and Dean for Graduate Studies. Dual degree programs are a specifically approved combination of two Master's degree programs as distinguished from a master's degree with a double major (e.g., masters of arts in English and History).