Combined Programs

Registrar’s Office

Advanced undergraduate students may begin their graduate degree early while still completing their undergraduate degree requirements. Accelerated degree programs, often referred to as “combined” programs, allow students to work on a certain number of master’s degree credits while completing their undergraduate degrees, thus shortening the time it takes to earn both degrees.

Combined Program Basics:

Compliance with federal and accrediting requirements requires Mines to follow specific policies for students in combined programs, which include:

General Information

• Graduate transcripts must display a minimum of 24 graduate-level credits applied to a 30-credit hour master’s degree or a minimum of 30 credits for a 36-credit hour master’s degree; up to 6 credits of double-counted coursework can be listed on the undergraduate transcript.
• A note will be added to the graduate transcript to indicate that double-counted courses completed while the student was an undergraduate can be found on the undergraduate transcript.
• No courses registered at the UG level will appear on a graduate program degree audit (beginning Fall 2024).
• No courses registered at the GR level will appear on an undergraduate program degree audit (beginning Fall 2024).
• Double-counted courses must have a grade of “B-” or higher; additional grade requirements may vary by department.

 Forms & Processes

• Undergraduate and combined program students will need to submit the 500-Level Registration Form for all 500-level courses. Requests will be approved by your advisor and be registered by the Registrar’s Office, depending on course availability. Form must be submitted by the add/drop deadline.
• 500+ level courses counting toward a UG degree will require a Course Exception form in order to be applied to the UG degree audit.

Financial Aid

• Federal financial aid (i.e., Pell Grant, Federal Student Loans, etc.) can be awarded only for courses that apply to a student’s primary degree and courses can only be awarded for one degree at a time.  Therefore, undergraduate federal financial aid cannot be awarded for graduate courses that are not counting toward the undergraduate degree.
• To qualify for full undergraduate financial aid, a student must be in a BS program AND be enrolled in minimum of 12 credits at UG Level.  Financial aid for UG enrollment for fewer than 12 credits a semester will be pro-rated or unavailable.
• If a change is made to the course level at any time, students are responsible for any changes to tuition and financial aid.
• Questions regarding course level registration and effects on financial aid should be directed to finaid@mines.edu.

Current Combined Program Students with 60 credits earned prior to Fall 2023 (including students admitted through spring 2025)

• Previously approved courses will be allowed under previous catalog guidelines.
• Financial Aid rules related to course level are still applicable.

Undergraduates in Graduate Courses FAQS 

What is the change starting in fall 2025? 

Starting in fall 2025, the Registrar’s Office will register undergraduates for approved graduate-level courses (500-level or higher) as indicated on the 500-Level Registration Form. Registration will occur in the order forms are received, after all necessary approvals. If a student has completed six credits of graduate-level coursework (500-level or higher) for undergraduate requirements, all additional graduate-level courses (500-level or higher) will be registered at the graduate level (GR) and remain on the graduate transcript. 

What is the rationale behind this change? 

These changes aim to simplify the registration process and ensure students progress toward their bachelor’s degree in a timely manner. This process requires students to consult with their advisors and/or graduate departments to ensure courses apply correctly to their degree, to ensure accurate application of undergraduate federal financial aid to student accounts, and to streamline the registration process by having the Registrar’s Office register students after all approvals are received. Additionally, these changes ensure compliance with federal financial aid regulations. 

Can I take more 500-level courses if I’ve already taken two as an undergraduate? 

Yes, but you should consult with your advisor to ensure continued progress toward your undergraduate degree. Beyond the first two applied to your undergraduate record, additional graduate-level courses (500-level or higher) will not qualify for undergraduate federal aid or COF and will be applied to your graduate transcript. 

Can additional graduate-level courses (500-level or higher) be used to satisfy undergraduate requirements? 

Additional graduate-level courses (500-level or higher) may apply toward a graduate degree, or students can complete a Course Exception Form to adjust the Degree Evaluation for undergraduate degree requirements. These courses will remain on the graduate transcript. If applied to the undergraduate degree, they cannot be applied to the graduate degree. 

Is there a limit to the number of graduate-level courses (500-level or higher) Combined program undergraduates can take, beyond the two double-counted? 

There is no limit if advisor approves; however, students are strongly encouraged to focus on completing undergraduate requirements. Any additional graduate-level courses (500-level or higher) beyond the two double-counted will be placed on the graduate transcript. It’s important to note the six-credit-hour limit for undergraduate financial aid use. 

Can I correct errors on my 500-Level Registration Form? 

Yes, email the Registrar’s Office with corrections by the add/drop deadline. For incorrect course details, submit a new form by the deadline. 

Can graduate-level courses (500-level or higher) taken before Combined program admission be double-counted? 

Yes, with all necessary approvals and if no other graduate-level courses (500-level or higher) exist on the undergraduate transcript. Courses will move from the graduate to the undergraduate transcript if used for the undergraduate degree. Graduate-level courses (500-level or higher) on the undergraduate transcript will never move to the graduate transcript. 

How do grades from double-counted courses affect undergraduate and graduate GPAs? 

As per Mines’ prior policy, a B- or higher is required for double-counted courses. Grades only factor into the undergraduate GPA, but credits count toward both degrees. 

Can a Combined undergraduate student take two double-counted courses and an additional graduate-level course (500-level or higher) for bachelor’s degree credit only? 

No, undergraduate students may only have a maximum of two graduate-level courses (500-level or higher) on their undergraduate record. 

Can a Combined program undergraduate take two double-counted courses and an additional graduate-level course (500-level or higher) for graduate degree credit only? 

Yes. If a student is taking a full-time undergraduate load (12 credits), an additional 500-level course will not affect financial aid. 

Can I use scholarships or financial aid for graduate-level courses? 

If the graduate-level course (500-level or higher) applies to your undergraduate degree (undergraduate only or double-counted), you can receive undergraduate aid and scholarships. Courses cannot change levels after the add/drop deadline. 

Can I use COF for graduate-level courses (500-level or higher)? 

COF applies to the first two graduate-level courses (500-level or higher) if applied to the undergraduate degree. Additional courses on the graduate transcript are not COF eligible. 

Can courses be moved between undergraduate and graduate transcripts? 

Coursework must be designated at the appropriate level by the add/drop deadline. Changes are not permitted after. 

Can previously taken graduate-level courses (500-level or higher) for undergraduate credit be changed to graduate credit? 

No. 

What happens if a Combined student leaves Mines after taking two or more graduate-level courses (500-level or higher), without completing the Combined program? 

The student’s two double-counted classes should already be applied to the undergraduate degree. Additional courses remain on the graduate transcript.