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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Good Afternoon,
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">In Pennsylvania, we are receiving some questions from institutions regarding utilizing credit in both baccalaureate and master degree programs (i.e. “double dipping”). I am reaching out to see
how other states handle/regulate dual credit offerings. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Our regulations regarding minimum credits for baccalaureate and master degrees are as follows:
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">·</span><span style="font-size:7.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"> </span><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">A baccalaureate degree must require the satisfactory
completion of a <b>minimum of 120 semester credit hours</b> or a minimum of 180 quarter credits. Of the total baccalaureate degree program course requirements, at least 40 semester credit hours or 60 quarter credit hours must be in general education and represent
a broad spectrum of disciplines in general education.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in"><a name="m_1614422449228578179_m_3781944133703357"></a><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">·</span><span style="font-size:7.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"> </span><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">A
master’s degree must require the satisfactory completion of a <b>minimum of 30 semester credit hours</b> or 45 quarter credit hours <b>beyond the baccalaureate level</b>.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">The argument we make in disallowing the practice of awarding the same credit in both a bachelor and master’s program is that the credits awarded in a master’s degree program must be BEYOND the
baccalaureate level – therefore, a course taken in an undergraduate program cannot be counted towards the student’s master’s degree program as well. However, we are exploring if awarding dual credit is becoming a generally accepted practice in higher education.
Any input on how your state handles this would be greatly appreciated. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Best Regards, <o:p>
</o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Lynette Kuhn
</span></b><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">| Division Chief<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Department of Education | Division of Higher Education, Access, and Equity<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Bureau of Postsecondary and Adult Education<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">333 Market Street | 12<sup>th</sup> Floor | Harrisburg, PA 17126<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Phone: 717.783.8228 |
<a href="http://www.education.pa.gov/PLS"><span style="color:windowtext">www.education.pa.gov</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-size:8.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">PRIVILEGED AND CONFIDENTIAL COMMUNICATION
<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-size:8.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">This message is intended only for the use of the individual or entity to which it is addressed and may contain information that is confidential. If the reader of this message
is not the intended recipient, or the employee or agent responsible for delivering the message to the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution or copying of this communication is strictly prohibited. If you have received
this communication in error, please immediately notify the sender and then delete the communication from your electronic mail system.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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