Stackable Credentials Masters Degrees - (Policy 105)

Purpose

The University may offer master's degree programs that allow students to combine (or “stack”) two or more eligible graduate certificates into a cohesive stackable credentials master’s degree (SCMD) to provide flexible, modular pathways for graduate education. 

1. Stack: To combine two or more academic or workforce credentials into a larger credential.
2. Stackable Credentials Master’s Degree (SCMD): A degree program that allows students to combine (or “stack”) two or more University-approved graduate certificates into a cohesive master’s degree within an academic discipline.

1. Scope
   1. This policy applies to graduate students and SCMD programs. 
   2. The policy on Graduate Studies (Policy 16) and other applicable policies apply to SCMD programs, except as modified by this policy (Policy 105).
2. SCMD Curriculum Approval Processes
   1. Only graduate certificates (Policy 58) formally approved through the University’s established curriculum and program approval processes (Policy 2) may be combined (“stacked”) in an SCMD program. 
      1. All courses shall be graduate-level courses. Upper-division undergraduate courses shall not be used to satisfy graduate certificate requirements.
      2. Each underlying graduate certificate must include cohesive courses within a single study area.
   2. The combination(s) (“stacks”) of underlying graduate certificates must:
      1. Result in a cohesive and coherent degree within the academic discipline of the overarching SCMD; 
      2. Meet the minimum credit hours for a master’s degree (Policy 16); and 
      3. Satisfy all requirements of applicable regulations and accreditation standards.
   3. The structure of the overarching SCMD program, including the initial selection of eligible certificates and the scheme for satisfying the Graduate Culminating Experience for a master’s degree (Policy 16), must be approved through the university’s formal curriculum approval process (Policy 2). 
   4. The list of eligible certificates and combinations in an SCMD program is published in the university catalog and may include certificates approved through the University’s established curriculum approval processes (Policy 2). 
   5. The scope of SCMD curriculum approval processes shall be limited to the overarching SCMD program requirements, including admissions and completion. Thus, individual courses, syllabi, assessments, modalities, learning outcomes, and other internal structures previously approved in the underlying graduate certificates shall not be subject to re-review or re-approval as part of the SCMD program approval processes.
   6. University processes for program review and program assessment shall occur at the program level for the underlying certificates.
3. Admission
   1. Students must apply for admission to each underlying certificate program and earn admission separately into each certificate program. Students also must apply separately for admission into the SCMD program. Subsequent application fees may be waived, as applicable, and alternate streamlined admissions processes may be implemented.
   2. As a conditional admission requirement within the first semester, students must work with their graduate advisor to develop a formal Study Plan delineating the underlying certificates, capstone experience, and other requirements, including any additional coursework required. Failure to complete an approved Study Plan during the first semester of SCMD admission shall result in removal from the program. Students may reapply in a subsequent semester, provided they receive program approval.
   3. Admission to individual graduate certificate programs shall not guarantee admission to an SCMD program nor approval of the underlying certificates on the Study Plan. Students are encouraged to apply for the SCMD before enrolling in graduate certificate programs and courses to ensure maximum consideration.
4. SCMD Program Requirements
   1. Students must meet all requirements of each underlying graduate certificate, earn completion of the underlying graduate certificates, and satisfy all Study Plan and SCMD program requirements to earn the SCMD. 
   2. In the Study Plan, at least one underlying certificate must include a Graduate Culminating Experience. Alternatively, students may request approval of a Study Plan that adds an approved Graduate Culminating Experience (Policy 16) as part of the plan.
   3. In the Study Plan, students may combine (or “stack”) two or more eligible graduate certificates that include one or more overlapping courses that fulfill requirements for two or more certificates, under these conditions and with program approval: 
      1. The overlapping course will only count once toward the SCMD aggregate credit hours for meeting the minimum requirements for a master’s degree (Policy 16).
      2. If additional credit hours are needed to meet the minimum requirements (Policy 16), students shall work with their advisor to plan additional related courses to satisfy the University’s minimum credit hour requirements for a master’s degree.
   4. In the Study Plan, programs may approve exceptions to the amount of credit hours earned toward the underlying graduate certificates earned while the student was a non-degree-seeking student.
   5. Students must meet residency requirements (Policy 28).
   6. Candidacy (Policy 16) does not apply to SCMD programs.
5. Transfer Credit 
   1. The summative credit hours transferred into an SCMD in all underlying certificates may not exceed the limits for Transfer Credit (Policy 30).
   2. Students must meet the requirements of Academic Residency Requirements for Degree Programs (Policy 28).
   3. Previously earned certificates used to fulfill requirements for another earned master’s degree, specialist degree, or doctoral degree (or similarly earned degree) at GovState or elsewhere are not eligible for reuse in the SCMD Study Plan.
   4. Alternatively, but only in merited cases, students may request approval for coursework under Advanced Standing (Policy 104) in lieu of the Transfer Policy (Policy 30).

6. Graduation

   Students completing an SCMD program shall be eligible for the same graduation and commencement benefits as all other University master’s degree completers.

7. Individual graduate programs may establish additional SCMD program procedures and requirements to align with accreditation, licensure requirements, curriculum, and program needs.