Course overlap between degrees and certificates
In specific circumstances, coursework only (not a project, thesis/dissertation, or other culminating activity) can be shared between programs. There are limits on the use of eligible graduate courses between graduate programs.
- A graduate course that has been used to meet the requirements for a bachelor’s degree or any undergraduate program cannot be applied to any graduate program (degree or certificate) unless the courses are part of a bachelors+masters program approved by the University, and the student has been admitted to that program.
- Graduate courses can be applied to two master’s degrees only under the shared master's credit allowance.
- Graduate courses can be applied to a master’s degree and a doctoral degree provided the master's degree is awarded prior to or concurrent with the doctoral degree.
- Graduate courses can be applied to a master’s degree and a graduate certificate.
- Graduate courses can be applied to a master's degree and a post-bac certificate.
- Graduate courses can be applied to a doctoral degree and a graduate certificate.
- Graduate courses cannot be applied to two graduate certificates.
- Graduate courses can be applied to more than one doctoral program (at the discretion of both doctoral programs), but the following items must be completed at PSU for each doctoral degree: comprehensive exams, residency, proposal, advancement to candidacy, and dissertation research.
Departments can set more restrictive limits.