Double Major vs. Double Degree


Double Major: The student must complete all requirements for both majors. The student is also responsible for choosing one major as its primary, and the other as its secondary. If both majors are in the same college, the primary major is responsible for creating a degree plan with requirements from each major indicated on the plan. However, if both majors are not within the same college, the student must request two degree plans; one for each major. 

The degree objective must be the same for each major, because a student will graduate with one degree under this option.

For more information, visit the undergraduate academic catalog concerning double major requirements. 


Double Degree: The student must complete all requirements for both majors. However, a student must earn a minimum of 30 semester hours in addition to the first degree. The requirements for the second degree are included in the 30 hours. I've always suggested that student considering a double major, instead, should try to double degree because most major requirements total at least 27 hours. That's only 3 hours shy of completing the additional 30 hr requirement for a double degree. Just think of it this way: if you double degree, you will receive two degrees, as opposed to one degree in two majors (double major). 

The degree objectives are not required to be the same because two degrees will be awarded.
 
For more information, visit the undergraduate academic catalog concerning double degree requirements.