Limits on “Course Sharing”

In cases where a student wishes to utilize selected graduate level courses to satisfy the degree requirements of more than one post-baccalaureate (graduate and/or professional) degree program, the following limitations apply:

  • With the exception of Ph.D. programs, the integrity of each post-baccalaureate degree program must be observed by the student’s completion of a minimum of twenty-four (24) semester hours of credit at UB and uniquely applied to that program. Individual degree programs may establish minimum credit hour requirements that exceed that level.
  • No more than 10% of the total credits hours normally required to complete both of the two degree programs in question may be comprised of “shared courses” (i.e., courses applied to both programs). For example, in the case of two master’s degree programs each of which requires 30 credit hours (i.e., a total of 60), no more than 6 credit hours (10%) of the 60 may be comprised of courses applied to both programs. Similarly, in the case of two post-baccalaureate degree programs that, in total, require 90 credit hours between them, no more than 9 credit hours (10%) of the 90 may be comprised of courses applied to both programs.
  • In cases where one or more specific courses are explicitly required by both programs (i.e., not merely as acceptable electives), such course(s) are considered “shared courses” under policy definitions and will be the first course(s) counted toward the 10% limit. If those specific courses explicitly required by both programs exceed the normal 10% “shared courses” limit, the 10% limit is waived and all such courses may be counted toward both degrees.
  • Up to 50% of a student’s Ph.D. program may be comprised of courses used to complete another degree program at UB or at another institution. A minimum of 50% of the Ph.D. program must consist of courses completed at UB and uniquely applied to that program.