Co-Majors

Graduate students wishing to co-major must obtain approval from both programs. Co-majors must meet all requirements for majors in both programs. A representative from each program must also be included on the student’s advisory committee. A student may not co-major in two different degree levels, i.e. a master’s in one discipline and a doctoral in another.

One degree is awarded and the co-major is noted on the transcript. Enrolled co-majors will be classified in only one program for record purposes. 

1. Master’s Students: Students may co-major at the master’s level in programs with identical degrees, although the degrees do not necessarily have to have identical requirements (e.g., two Master of Science programs, one with a thesis requirement and one without). No student is required to declare a minor.
2. Doctoral Students: Students may co-major at the doctoral level with the approval of both programs and with the appointment of a co-chair from each program on the advisory committee. The co-chairs will have equal responsibilities for directing and mentoring the student (see Section 3.2 Advisory Committees, A.1.c). Co-majors are not permitted between Doctor of Philosophy and Doctor of Education degree programs.

Minors

The Graduate School does not require a minor, although individual programs may require one. If a program does not require a minor, the graduate student has the option of choosing one, except in an Option B master’s program in which a minor is not allowed. The minor work will usually be from a single discipline or field that in the judgment of the advisory committee provides relevant support to the major field.  

When a student selects a minor, the advisory committee must include a representative from the minor field. 

Minor Requirements

1. Doctoral Students: A minimum of 12 graduate hours at NC State is required for a Doctoral Minor.

2. Master’s Students: A minimum of 9 graduate hours at NC State is required for a Master's Minor.