"Blended" Bachelor's and Master's Degree Programs

This document describes the policy for implementation of a blended program combining a bachelor’s and master’s degree through continuous enrollment at Sonoma State University.

Authority
Authority is granted to the President or their designee to implement programs blending existing bachelor’s and master’s degree programs for purposes of providing an accelerated pathway to a master’s degree with a maximum of 12-semester units of graduate-level instruction to be double counted towards both undergraduate and graduate-level requirements under CSU policy 12518003.  All blended programs must meet the CSU minimum requirements as in the Policy on “Blended” Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree Programs (12518003) and requirements of Title V, California Code of Regulations, 40510.

I. Definitions

• Blended Program: A program that combines undergraduate and graduate degree programs offered to students through simultaneous matriculation. 
•     Combinations that blend degree and credentials are excluded from consideration by Chancellor’s Office policy.
• Overlapping Units: coursework that counts simultaneously for both the bachelor’s degree and the master’s degree in a blended program.
• Stacked Course: An undergraduate course and a graduate course offered together, meeting at the same time and place, with a shared class experience and instructor(s), but with more advanced learning outcomes, readings/assignments, grading rubric, and syllabi at the graduate level.
• MOU: A memorandum of understanding between multiple entities (schools/departments) that describes the responsibilities of each entity in relation to the blended program. 
• Culminating Experience: A master’s degree requirement of completion of a comprehensive exam, a project, or a thesis as described in Title V CCR 40510.

II.  Blended Program Requirements

• Blended programs must meet all CSU policies.
• An academic program may only implement a blended program consisting of existing Sonoma State bachelor’s and master’s degree programs.
• Blended programs are typically considered to occur between programs offered in the same support mode.
  • A program may be blended between a stateside undergraduate degree and a self-support graduate degree if: 1) self-support tuition is charged only for those units taken while in graduate student status, 2) clear distinction is made between the support modes for prospective students, and 3) students are notified when they change status to graduate level and self-support mode.
• The Graduate Coordinator overseeing the blended program is required to communicate when a student should be transitioned from undergraduate to graduate standing to the Office of Graduate Studies and the Registrar’s Office. Transition from undergraduate to graduate student standing will occur after completion of at least 120 units and all bachelor’s degree requirements and the student has met the grade point average (GPA) requirements for graduate admission.  Blended programs may double count up to 12-semester units of graduate-level coursework towards both the undergraduate and graduate degrees and individual programs may allow fewer than 12 units to double count. Double-counted courses may be stacked courses in which students have registered at the graduate level or qualified graduate-level courses. Pathways for blended programs must be listed in the catalog as a separate degree program track under both the affiliated undergraduate department and the graduate program department. 
• Master’s degrees will be awarded after confirmation of completion of all master’s degree requirements and completion of the Master’s Degree Application by posted deadlines.  
  • All Sonoma State graduate degree requirements apply to blended programs, including continuous enrollment, a seven-year limit on graduate-level course validation, required units in residence, transfer unit limits, and timely completion of the culminating experience.
• Students may participate in commencement for each degree awarded.

III. Admission to Blended Programs

• A matriculated Sonoma State undergraduate (including transfer students) may apply to a specific blended program once the student has achieved a minimum of 60 units, but before a student has begun their last undergraduate semester.
• Graduate programs offering a blended pathway shall develop an application process in coordination with Academic Programs and the Registrar’s Office. Admissions shall be determined at the program level, and coordinators must provide timely notification to the applicant regarding acceptance or non-acceptance and must notify the Office of Graduate Studies and the Registrar’s Office to identify any individuals accepted into a blended program prior to the deadline for the undergraduate application for graduation.
• Applicants to a blended program must achieve minimum GPA requirements for admission to the program at the time of transition from undergraduate to graduate standing.

IV. Transition to Graduate Standing

• While in their senior standing of undergraduate status, a student accepted to a blended program may take graduate-level courses toward the blended program to apply to the master’s degree.
• Students must have a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA in order to be accepted into graduate standing in a blended program.
  • A student in a blended program may not transition to graduate standing unless they reach the minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 or have attained a GPA of at least 2.5 (A=4.0) in the last 60 units (90 quarter units) attempted by the end of their final undergraduate semester.  Individual programs may have a higher minimum GPA requirement for transition to graduate standing.
  • A student who completes their undergraduate coursework with a GPA below the minimum requirement may receive their bachelor’s degree but will not be able to continue on to the graduate degree through the blended program.
• Once a student has transitioned to graduate standing in a graduate degree program, the student must maintain a GPA of 3.0 in their coursework for the master’s degree.
• Students must complete all aspects of the master’s degree requirements to complete the blended program, including advancement to candidacy prior to enrolling in their culminating experience and their culminating experience (comprehensive exam, project, or thesis).
• Students must have graduate status for at least two semesters before they are awarded a master’s degree.
• If a student decides to return to pursue their master's program in the future, they shall formally apply for graduate admission. With the approval of their academic department, students may count up to 12 units graduate courses completed during their blended program towards their master's degree. Such courses cannot exceed seven years, unless approved for validation by both the academic program and designated University administrator.

V. Approval Process for a New Blended Program

Blended programs are approved through the New Programs approval process.