Double Majors, Double Degrees, and Second Majors

If a student completes one set of general education and university requirements in addition to two complete sets of primary discipline-specific requirements each of which can lead to a different bachelor’s degree, the student will earn one of the following degrees: one bachelor’s degree with two majors (double major) or two separate bachelor’s degrees (double degree or second degree). Which of these is awarded depends on the following conditions: the degree name (BA vs. BS); the school(s) within which the degrees were completed (within the same school or different schools); program degree codes/disciplines; and whether or not the requirements for the two majors are completed in the same semester of the conference of the degree(s).

Degree programs with two or more options (or tracks), cannot have a double major or double degree under the same degree code.  An option, or track, within the same degree code does not constitute another major or double major.  For example, BS Business Administration: Management and BS Business Administration: Finance, are options within the same degree program.  These options share the same degree code.  To have a double major or a double degree, the second major must have a different Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board (AHECB) degree code.  (Please also see the third bullet under Second Degree).

Double Degree

A double degree is earned when:

1. The student completes two sets of primary discipline-specific requirements that lead to differently-named degrees, BA and BS.  For example, a student completes a BA in Criminal Justice and a BS in Psychology.  
2. The degree programs are in different Schools.  For example, a BS in Biology and a BS in Human Sciences.
3. Requirements for both programs are completed within the same semester in which the degrees are conferred.

Double Major

A double major is earned when:

1. The student completes two sets of primary discipline-specific requirements that lead to the same degree name, BS or BA, within the same school.  The degree programs must have different degree codes.  For example, a BS in Computer Science and a BS in Biology or a BA in Criminal Justice and a BA in Social Science.
2. Requirements for both majors are completed within the same semester in which the degree is conferred.

Second Degree

A second degree meets the requirements of a double degree, except that requirements for the second majors are completed in a subsequent semester following the conference of the first degree.  A second degree is earned when:

1. The student, on readmission of the university following the first degree, completes the remaining discipline-specific credit hours that lead to the completion of the degree, with no mandatory minimum credit hours required.
2. The student may be required to take additional General Education or Institutional courses contingent on program specific requirements.
3. The second major must have a different AHECB degree code.  An option, or track, within the same degree code does not constitute another major or double major.  For example, BS in Business Administration: Management and BS in Business Administration: Finance, are options within the same degree program.  Also, BS Social Sciences: History and BA Social Sciences: Sociology, are options within the same degree programs.