Purpose of the Policy

Coded Memorandum AA 2012-01 specifies the minimum requirements for establishing a “blended degree model”, which at Cal Poly Humboldt shall be referred to as the Combined Bachelor’s and Master’s Pathway (CBMP) Policy. The CBMP will support students in the pursuit of advanced degrees in the same or different fields, and will streamline their path toward achieving a Master’s degree in their area of study.

Policy Details

I. Establishment of a CBMP

Academic units that choose to establish a CBMP must follow the campus ICC curricular approval timeline as for a new degree program beginning with a Curriculog submission. Combined pathways programs must meet the following minimum criteria:

1. Curricula for a CBMP must adhere to existing campus curriculum policies for both Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees.

1. If permissible by the program and approved via existing campus curriculum processes, a student may double-count up to 12 semester units between the undergraduate and graduate degree. Therefore, a minimum of 138 semester units (e.g., BS 120 + MS 30, subtracting 12 units double counted) are required in blended programs with approval for double counting.

2. As described in the CSU policy, “None of the required graduate courses can be replaced by an undergraduate course, and graduate courses that will also count toward the bachelor's degree must either require mastery of the more rudimentary knowledge taught at the undergraduate level or cover the content of the undergraduate courses that they replace.”

2. The program must be submitted for approval through the ICC.

3. The Offices of Graduate Studies, Academic Programs, and the Registrar shall develop guidelines and processes for administration of a CBMP, in close consultation and collaboration with the Financial Aid Office and Student Financial Services.

II. Minimum Admission Requirements to a CBMP

1. Minimum admission requirements must be consistent with existing policy (including policy guiding combined programs, currently found in Coded Memorandum AA 2012-01).

2. The student must successfully have completed a minimum of 60 undergraduate degree applicable units and not more than 90 undergraduate degree applicable units at the time of application.

3. A program may stipulate more rigorous standards for admission than the minimum criteria.

III. Change to Graduate Status in a CBMP

1. The Registrar’s Office in consultation with the Office of Graduate Studies shall develop processes for transitioning students from undergraduate to graduate status following all appropriate policies (including policy guiding combined programs, currently found in Coded Memorandum AA 2012-01).

IV. Award of Undergraduate Degree and Graduate Credits

1. The student applies to graduate from the Bachelor’s degree the semester the student achieves senior standing (completion of 90 semester units). The Bachelor’s degree will be awarded when requirements for both degrees are complete.

2. If a student admitted into a CBMP opts out of, or fails to complete, the Master's degree portion of the program, the following will apply:

1. Upon evaluation of the Bachelor’s degree requirements, the Bachelor’s degree will be awarded with a degree-conferred date reflective of the term that all undergraduate degree requirements were complete.

2. Credit earned for graduate coursework and used to complete the Bachelor's degree may not be used to satisfy unit requirements of a Master's degree.

3. Credit earned for graduate coursework that was not applied to the Bachelor’s degree requirements may be available for application to a Cal Poly Humboldt graduate program, subject to subsequent approval by the program and general requirements for the Master’s degree programs as specified by Title 5. The number of units transferred from the undergraduate to post-baccalaureate degree is limited to 12 semester units. A student who reapplies after leaving the CBMP will reapply as a regular Master’s degree-seeking student subject to the admissions requirements of the program at Cal Poly Humboldt.

History

Academic Policy Committee: 09/18/2024

Reviewed by University Senate: 10/15/2024

Approved by Provost: 10/20/2024