Directions for the MSWord Version of the Joint Ph.D. Degree Form

The file that you have just opened is both a Word document and is Protected. This means that you can only fill in information in the provided spaces. Moving from one area to the next can be accomplished by hitting your "tab" key. Any additional information that you cannot get into these "open" areas should be typed onto your sheet with a typewriter or provided in an appendix.

When you have completed your certification, you should print a copy of the document for signatures and final approval by our office and the Chair. Our office will only take paper copies of this document for approval. If you have any questions about this form, give Jim Miller a call at 263-4373 or email at .

JOINT PH.D. DEGREES

Definition and Requirements

There are some cases in which it may be advantageous to pursue a joint Ph.D. degree. When such a degree is completed there is one degree with two graduate majors: for example, a joint Ph.D. degree in Land Resources/Geography, or a joint Ph.D. degree in Environmental Monitoring/Forestry. In general, joint Ph.D. degrees between environmental studies graduate programs will not be considered.

A joint degree requires completion of all requirements in both programs, but there is only one dissertation (thesis). Candidates for joint Ph.D. degrees usually do not have minors. Like a single Ph.D. degree, a joint Ph.D. requires fulfillment of the Graduate School requirement to earn the Ph.D. minimum credit requirement of 32 graduate level credits.

Faculty Committee

For a student pursuing a joint Ph.D. degree, the composition of the faculty advisory committee should reflect the composition of both majors. To ensure this kind of representation, the student should put together a faculty committee consisting of five members, of which at least two must be from the other (non-environmental studies) major.

Credit Overlaps and Course Restrictions

The course work for a joint degree will normally include a significant number of courses that overlap the two majors (i.e., which will be used toward satisfying the requirements of both majors), but at least 16 credits of course work must be completed beyond the course work requirements of the environmental studies graduate program. These 16 credits of course work may not include research credits or independent study credits (e.g., 990 or 699/799/999 credits). The following restrictions also apply: courses used for the joint degree must be 300-level or above and taken after the bachelor's degree, and courses taken pass/fail or for audit may not be used.

Timetable for Joint Degree Proposals

Because a joint degree involves significant course work planning, such a proposal must be formulated early in one's graduate career. Since it involves specific course work selection, it could be done at the time of the program certification. But, keep in mind, if such a degree is proposed during the certification process, all of the materials related to the joint Ph.D. (see below) must be submitted in addition to the program certification document. The certification, by itself, cannot be used in lieu of a joint degree proposal.

At the very latest, a joint degree proposal must be submitted to the Graduate School (via the Nelson Institute) no later than the beginning of the second year of graduate study. The Graduate School will not consider a joint degree proposal presented for approval after the course work has been completed.

Filing Process

A student must have the support of both majors in order to pursue a joint degree. This is initiated by seeking admission to the second major department through completion of an "Addition of Major" form, available from the Graduate School. In addition, a joint degree proposal must also be prepared, which will be submitted to the Graduate School by the Nelson Institute. A student who wishes to pursue a joint Ph.D. degree with us should submit the following materials to our Academic Programs Office in preparation for such a proposal:

1) A detailed justification for the proposed joint degree program, explaining why the joint program is needed, and why these needs cannot be met within an existing major or minor on campus;

2) A description of the nature and scope of the preliminary examinations for each major;

3) A discussion of the nature of the dissertation (general subject area);

4) Any other information you may wish to contribute to this proposal;

5) The Nelson Institute joint degree form, which is attached.

Nelson Institute Joint Degree Form

The attached joint degree form is an integral part of the joint degree proposal. It will be reviewed not only by the Nelson Institute, but also by the Graduate School. Please type all information (except for the signatures, of course).

This form consists of two parts: the course lists, and the signatures of major professors and program chairs. It is the student's responsibility to complete the course lists, obtain all signatures, and include this form with the rest of the above materials when requesting joint degree consideration by our Academic Programs Office. Please note that this form requires a listing of the courses used to satisfy the requirements of the environmental studies graduate program (first column), the courses used to satisfy the requirements of the other major (second column), and an identification of those courses that are not being double counted; as defined on The previous page, at least 16 credits of course work for the other major must be completed outside of the course work requirements for the environmental studies graduate degree.

Any questions about completion of this form or any other parts of the joint degree proposal may be directed to the Academic Programs Office in Room 70 Science Hall.


Gaylord Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies

Academic Programs

Joint Ph.D. Degree Course List

Student name and ID number

For each course listed, include the department name/course number, course title, credits, semester/year taken or anticipated and grade if completed (e.g. Geology 627, Hydrology, 4 cr, fall/94, AB).

Name of environmental studies
graduate program:
Courses for environmental studies graduate program: / Name of other graduate major:
Courses for other graduate program:
Total credits for environmental studies
graduate program:
Signature of major professor Date
Signature of program chair Date / Total credits for other graduate major:
Signature of major professor Date
Signature of department chair Date

At least 16 credits of course work must be completed beyond the course work requirements of the environmental studies graduate program. Please identify those courses (in the second column) with asterisks (*) and give their credit total below:

Total credits of non-overlap: