Student Initiated Combined Degree Program
The Student Initiated Combined Degree program offers students a unique opportunity to combine undergraduate and graduate degree programs that meet their personal, academic, and career goals. Working with faculty advisors, students can combine degrees from different disciplines and tailor their own student-centered and goal-driven educational experience. The Student Initiated Combined Degree program provides students with extraordinary educational freedom and flexibility while reducing the time required to complete both programs separately.
What is a student initiated combined degree & why pursue one?
- Respond to emerging job markets
- Increase your marketability in less time
- Save time and money by completing two degrees in as few as 5 years
- Enjoy educational flexibility
- Meet your personal career goals
Getting Started
If you are interested in developing a Student Initiated Combined Degree program, contact your undergraduate advisor and the director of the graduate degree program as early as possible. You may also contact The Graduate School office for more information.
SICD Frequently Asked Questions
Student Initiated Combined Degree Request Form
The Graduate School
[email protected]
(616) 331-7105
How to Apply
Students interested in the Student Initiated Combined Degree program must complete the following tasks:
- Contact your undergraduate advisor and the program director of the graduate program to determine suitability.
- Complete a Student Initiated Combined Degree Request Form and a plan of study.
- Seek approval from your undergraduate faculty advisor, unit head of the undergraduate degree program, the Graduate Program Director, and the Vice Provost of The Graduate School.
- After your SICD Request Form is approved, you will then need to submit an application to the graduate program for the semester following your completion of the 12 combined graduate credits.
Degree Requirements
The Student Initiated Combined Degree program requirements follow the Bachelor/Graduate Combined Degree Policy and will include at a minimum:
1. Fulfilling the requirements for both the undergraduate and graduate degree programs2. Completion of appropriate Responsible Conduct of Research training requirement
A combined-degree program allows students to complete a specific number of graduate-level credits (up to 12 credit hours) while enrolled as an undergraduate student. Approved graduate credit hours will satisfy degree requirements for both degrees.
This program allows students to take graduate coursework while they are completing their undergraduate degree, thus saving both time and money. The traditional path of completing a master's degree after completing a bachelor's degree can take a student 6+ years to complete, but the Student Initiated Combined Degree allows students the opportunity to complete both degrees in as few as 5 academic years. This program also allows students to combine degrees in ways that meet their specific personal and professional goals.
The Student Initiated Combined Degree is an opportunity for students to develop unique Bachelor's/Master's degree combinations. It is up to the student to decide which two programs pair best to meet their goals and to find out if their proposed degree combination is possible.
Students may apply after completing a minimum of 45 undergraduate credit hours.
If approved, students can take graduate courses during their junior and senior year.
Students that apply to this program must receive approval from their undergraduate faculty advisor, the unit head of the undergraduate degree program, the Graduate Program Director, and the Vice Provost for The Graduate School.
Yes, even if you have received approval from all of the appropriate parties, you still have to apply to your graduate program of interest. Fortunately, your application fee would be waived since you are already attending Grand Valley.
Yes. Before beginning the Student Initiated Combined Degree program, you will work with your advisor to put a plan in place to complete your undergraduate degree should you choose not to complete the graduate degree.
You may use your undergraduate financial aid and awards until you are classified as a graduate student. This typically happens after the completion of your 12th graduate credit hour, but will vary based on individual planned programs.
Yes, there are combined degree programs in Accounting, Cell and Molecular Biology, Computer Information Systems, and Engineering. However, if you aim to combine two degrees in different disciplines you will have to pursue a Student Initiated Combined Degree.
The Student Initiated Combined Degree program requirements follow the Bachelor/Graduate Combined Degree Policy and will include at a minimum:
- Fulfilling the requirements for both the undergraduate and graduate degree programs
- Completion of appropriate Responsible Conduct of Research training requirement