The workplace is a competitive landscape but with the ability to add a dual degree or second degree to your resume you will have no worries navigating your way to a great career.
The Dual Degree and Second Degree Programs allow students to complete two degree programs either together or consecutively.
Dual Degree programs allow Queen’s Commerce, Applied Science and Nursing students to complete an Arts and Science General Degree concurrently as they are working towards the completion of their primary degree in their home Faculty/School. As noted in the Dual Degree Regulations, Dual Degree students must meet the unit requirements of the Arts and Science degree Plan in which they are registered as well as those of their primary degree. Once a student is admitted into a Dual Degree, courses must be registered under the appropriate degree program and the appropriate fees paid. Arts and Science units completed prior to admission into a Dual Degree program will not be counted as Secondary units but can serve as Shared units.
Students must choose a Dual degree program/plan that is significantly different from their first degree program. If at least half of the required units in the Arts and Science program may be used in the primary degree program, the overlap is considered significant and the combination will not be approved. For example, a B.Sc. (Gen.) degree program requires 90.0 units, of which 48.0 are Plan units. If 24.0 or more of the 48.0 Plan units are required (or may be used) in the primary/first degree program, there is too much overlap for the Dual Degree combination to be approved. (Conditions in Academic Regulation 16 apply).
The Academic Viability Chart for students from other Faculties and Schools at Queen’s shows the Dual and Second Degree combinations that have been assessed and approved or disapproved to date.
How the Dual Degree Program Works
Each student’s Dual Degree Program consists of three types of units: shared, primary and secondary. The shared and secondary units together must add up to the total number of units required for a BA, or BSC degree and include all of the plan requirements.
Shared units are registered under the Primary degree
Students may count a maximum of 60.0 shared units towards both Degree Programs. Shared units include those normally acceptable for credit in the Faculty of Arts and Science. Shared units are registered under the Primary Program but count toward both degrees.
Primary units are registered under the primary degree
In addition to the shared units, students must complete further primary units to reach the minimum overall total required for the primary Degree Program. All class and degree requirements for the primary program must be completed according to the regulations of that Faculty or School.
Secondary units are registered under the Arts and Science Degree
In addition to the shared units, students must complete a further 30.0 secondary units to reach the minimum overall total required for the secondary, Arts and Science, Degree Program. They may not be transferred from another post-secondary institution or from the primary Faculty or School at Queen’s. Dual Degree students must register all secondary units with the Faculty of Arts and Science and pay the appropriate fees.
These 30.0 secondary units are assigned to the Faculty of Arts and Science at the point of registration (under a BA, or BSc degree plan) and must be from the Faculty of Arts and Science - meaning, no courses from BMED, GLPH, Commerce, Applied Science, Nursing or Law.
All class and degree requirements for the secondary program must be completed according to the regulations of the Faculty of Arts and Science.
What’s possible?
Students may apply for a General (BA/BSc) degree in one of the programs listed in the Available Dual Degree Options Chart below. Capacity to accept students in each degree Plan is allocated for one academic year at a time. If a degree Plan is not listed, it is not accepting applicants at this time. The Faculty of Arts and Science reserves the right to close (not accept students into) a particular degree Plan from one academic year to the next. If the general and departmental requirements are met, students are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. That is, students who apply for the Fall Term are considered and may be accepted in advance of students who apply for the Winter and Summer Terms. If additional space is not available, the applicant will need to apply for the subsequent academic year should the degree Plan still be accepting Dual Degree students.
Students may access distance (on-line) or on-campus courses. For some programs, all degree requirements may be met with the completion of online courses.
How do students apply?
Students apply through Undergraduate Admission, Gordon Hall. Applicants must pay a $100 application fee and complete the application found at this link.
General Admission requirements for Dual Degree Students
Please note that Departmental Admission thresholds may exceed these general requirements (Admission Regulation 6.1).
To be eligible, students must meet all of the following criteria:
NOTE: Extenuating circumstances will not be considered. Admission thresholds and decisions cannot be appealed.
Available Dual Degree Plans for students whose Primary Program is from another Faculty or School at Queen's.
Updates for the 2023-2024 academic calendar coming shortly.
All marks listed are on the Queen's marking scale. Visit our GPA Info webpage for more information about Queen's GPA.
Change of Dual Degree Combination
Students are admitted to specific Dual Degree program combinations. To change a secondary program or Plan a student must submit an application to Undergraduate Admission.
Dual Degree students who complete both degrees and subsequently wish to complete another degree in Arts and Science are then considered to be Second Degree students, and should follow the regulations described under Second Degrees on this page.
Withdrawal from a Dual Degree Program
Students admitted to a Dual Degree program who no longer wish to complete the program may inform Undergraduate Admission in writing of their intent to withdraw.
Dual Degree students who are required to withdraw from their primary degree program and who wish to continue studies in the Faculty of Arts and Science will need to apply for admission to Arts and Science through Undergraduate Admission and will be subject to the same Plan limitations as all transfer students (see Academic Regulation 5).
The Second Degree Program allows the holder of an undergraduate degree from Queen’s or from another university to complete a second undergraduate degree in the Faculty of Arts and Science, either on-campus or through distance studies.
Students must complete all course and degree requirements for the Second Degree program according to the Academic Regulations of the Faculty of Arts and Science. (See Academic Regulation 16 for degree requirements).
In order to be considered for admission to a second degree program the desired Second Degree Plan must have capacity to accept students and the combination of the first and Second Degree Plans must be academically viable, meaning the two degree Plans are significantly different.
Students must choose a Second degree program/plan that is significantly different from their first degree program. More than half of the units required for the program/plan may not be used (or accepted) in the first program/plan or the overlap is considered significant and the combination will not be approved. For example, a B.Sc. (Gen.) degree program requires 90.0 units, of which 48.0 are Plan units. If 24.0 or more of the 48.0 Plan units are required (or may be used) in the primary/first degree program, there is too much overlap for the Dual Degree combination to be approved. (Conditions in Academic Regulation 16 apply).
The additional courses for the second degree must all be completed at Queen’s and registered under the Arts and Science degree program, regardless of whether the first degree is from Queen’s or from another post-secondary institution.
Students may not obtain a three-year General degree together with, after receiving, or after qualifying for four-year Honours degree of the same program type. For example, students may not obtain a B.A.(Gen.) degree after a B.A.(Hons) degree, a B.Cmp. (Gen.) degree after a B.Cmp.(Hons.) degree, or a B.Sc.(Gen.) degree after a B.Sc.(Hons.) degree.
Academic Viability Charts
The charts provided in the Academic Viability Section towards the end of this chapter provide information for known, academically viable, dual and second degree combinations. Please consult these charts to learn more about allowed and disallowed Plan combinations.
For Students whose first degree is from the Faculty of Arts and Science
How it works
Second Degree students whose first degree is from Queen’s may use up to a maximum of 60.0 transferable units from their first degree program toward their Second Degree program. When there are 60.0 transferable units from the first degree, a B.A.(Gen.), or B.Sc.(Gen.) degree requires a minimum of 30.0 additional units; a B.A.(Hons.) degree requires a minimum of 60.0 additional units; a B.Sc.(Hons.) degree requires a minimum of 60.0 additional units; a B.Mus degree requires a minimum of 66.0 additional units.
Degree Combinations
A three-year General degree after a four-year Honours degree
With the completion of a minimum of 30.0 additional Queen’s units in a significantly different Plan from their Honours degree, students may obtain a General degree together with, after receiving, or after qualifying for a four-year Honours degree. The two degree programs must be different.
Two three-year General degrees
With the completion of a minimum of 30.0 additional Queen’s units in a significantly different Plan from their first degree, students may obtain a BA degree together with, after receiving, or after qualifying for a BSC General degree or a BSC degree together with, after receiving, or after qualifying for a BA General degree. Students may not receive two BA degrees or two BSC degrees.
Two four-year Honours degrees
With the completion of a minimum of 54.0 additional Queen’s units in a significantly different Plan from their first degree, students admitted to the Second Degree Program prior to the Fall Term 2017 may obtain a B.A.(Hons.) degree together with, after receiving, or after qualifying for a first four-year Honours degree. The first degree program may also be a B.A.(Hons.).
Students admitted to the Second Degree Program in the Fall Term 2017 and later must complete a Minimum of 60.0 additional Queen’s units in a significantly different Plan from their first degree to obtain a B.A. (Hons.) degree together with, after receiving, or after qualifying for a first four-year Honours degree. The first degree program may also be a B.A.(Hons).
With the completion of a minimum of 60.0 additional Queen’s units in a significantly different Plan from their first degree, students may obtain a B.Sc.(Hons.) or B.Cmp.(Hons.) degree together with, after receiving, or after qualifying for a first four-year Honours degree. The two degree programs may be the same.
In most cases students first complete the requirements and receive the degree for the program in which they are registered before applying for the Second Degree Program to complete the requirements for the second degree. However, students may also complete the requirements for both degrees before applying to graduate and receive both degrees at the same time.
Students in the Faculty of Arts and Science who have completed the requirements for two degree programs simultaneously are not required to apply for admission to the Second Degree Program. Such students may declare the second Program and Plan upon completion of all requirements and may receive both degrees together.
Second Degree – For students whose first degree is from another Academic Institution
Applicants in this category must have the equivalent of a minimum Queen's Cumulative GPA of 2.6 for most Plans to be considered for admission. In addition, they must also satisfy departmental criteria that may exceed these minimums. In all cases, admission to a Second Degree is only possible when the applicant's first degree is from an accredited post-secondary institution and in a substantially different Plan from the proposed Second Degree. Additionally, the Degree Plan requested must be accepting second degree students.
How it Works
Second Degree students whose first degree is from another post-secondary institution may use up to a maximum of 42.0 transferable units from the first degree toward a B.A.(Gen.), B.Cmp.(Gen.) or B.Sc.(Gen.) degree program, and up to a maximum of 57.0 transferable units from the first degree toward a B.A.(Hons.), B.Cmp.(Hons.), B.Sc.(Hons.) or B.Mus degree program. The additional units required will vary depending on the total number of units required for the second degree.
How to Apply to a Second Degree Program
Applicants may apply for a Summer or Fall term start. See the Queen's Undergraduate Admission page.
General Admission Requirements for Second Degrees
Applicants must meet the Faculty minimums and satisfy appropriate departmental criteria that may exceed these minimums. Enrolment limitations or lack of prerequisites may result in the denial of an admission.
Students must have graduated in good standing and satisfy departmental criteria.
Students who wish to pursue a Second Degree in the B.MUS program must also meet specialized entry requirements, and the program must be accepting students to a second degree.
Updates for the 2023-2024 academic calendar coming shortly.
The chart below indicates the On-campus and Distance degree Plans with capacity to accept Second Degree applicants in the 2020-2021 academic year are listed below. If a degree Plan is not listed, it is at capacity and cannot accept Second Degree applicants. Students admitted to Distance Studies are limited to distance courses and distance degree Plans. Distance 3-year degrees may not upgrade their degree on campus. Distance 3-year General Degree Plans are in GREEN shading.
To inquire about specific admission requirements, contact Undergraduate Admission for on-campus admission and Continuing and Distance Studies for distance campus admission.
Students must choose a Dual/Second degree program/plan that is significantly different from their first degree program. If at least half of the required units in the Arts and Science program may be used in the primary or first degree program, the overlap is considered significant and the combination will not be approved. For example, a B.Sc. (Gen.) degree program requires 90.0 units, of which 48.0 are Plan units. If 24.0 or more of the 48.0 Plan units are required (or may be used) in the primary/first degree program, there is too much overlap for the Dual (or Second) Degree combination to be approved. (Conditions in Academic Regulation 16 apply.)
The Academic Viability Charts below list the degree combinations that have been assessed to date for 2021-2022. If a combination of interest is not included in the charts below please book an academic advising appointment in the Faculty of Arts and Science to discuss the most up-to-date information regarding Dual or Second Degrees or to have a new combination assessed.
Due to space limitations not all allowed program/plan combinations in the charts below are available. To see which Arts and Science plans have capacity to accept students into Dual or Second Degree Plans see Available Dual Degree Plans in the DUAL DEGREES AT QUEEN’S section or Plans with capacity to accept Second Degree students in the SECOND DEGREE section depending on which type of degree you wish to pursue.
The first column, First Degree Program, in the viability charts lists the first degree Plan of the degree the student has or is about to complete. The second column, Allowed Programs and Plans, list dual/second degree combinations that have been assessed as academically viable because of the low degree of overlap between the first degree program and the specific Arts and Science Plan. The third column, Disallowed Programs and Plans, lists the dual/second degree combinations that are not academically viable due to significant overlap between the first degree program and the specific Faculty of Arts and Science Plan.
First degree is from another Faculty or School at Queen’s (DUAL or SECOND DEGREE)
First Degree is from School of Business
| Primary Degree Program | Arts and Science Program and Plan Combinations | |
|---|---|---|
| School of Business | Allowed Program and Plans | Disallowed Programs and Plans |
| Commerce | BAH APEC BA ARTH BA CLST BA, BAH DEVS BA, BAH ECON BA FREN BA GNDS BA GEOL BA GPHY BA, BAH GRMN BA HIST BA ITLN BA JWST BA, BAH MATH BA MUSC BA PHIL BA RELS BA, BAH SOCY BA, BAH SPAN BA, BAH STAT BSC, BSCH STAT | |
First Degree is from the School of Nursing
| Primary Degree Program | Arts and Science Program and Plan Combinations | |
|---|---|---|
| School of Nursing | Allowed Programs and Plans | Disallowed Programs and Plans |
| Nursing | BSC BIOL BSC, BSCH BCHM BA, BAH GNDS BA, BAH GPHY BA MUSC BA, BAH PHIL BA, BAH, BSCH PSYC BA, BAH SOCY BA, BAH CHEM | BA, BAH HLTH BSC, BSCH LISC |
First Degree is from the Faculty of Applied Science
| Primary Degree Program | Arts and Science Program and Plan Combinations (Plans that have been assessed) | |
| Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science | Allowed Programs and Plans | Disallowed Programs and Plans |
| Chemical Engineering | BA, BAH ARTH BSCH BCHM BSCH BIOL BA, BAH CLST BA, BAH DEVS BA, BAH ECON BA, BAH ENGL BSCH ENSC BA ENVS BSC, BSCH GPHY BSCH GEOL BA, BAH GMST BA HIST BSC KINE BSCH MAJ MATH BSCH STAT BA, BAH MUSC BA, BAH PSYC BA, BSC BIOL | BA, BSC, BSCH CHEM BSC BCHM BA, BSC MATH BSC, BSCH LISC BA, BSC STAT |
| Civil Engineering | BA, BAH ARTH BSC, BSCH BIOL BSC, BSCH CHEM BA, BAH CLST BA, BAH DEVS BA, BAH ECON BSCH ENSC BA GPHY BA GMST BA HIST BSC, BSCH LISC BSCH MATH BA MUSC BA PHIL BA, BSC BSCH PHYS BCMPH SODE BSCH STAT | BA, BSC MATH BA, BSC STAT |
| Computer Engineering (CMP1 or CMP2 Option) | BSC, BSCH BCHM BSC, BSCH CHEM BCMPH COGS BA, BAH DEVS BA, BAH ECON BSC, BSCH ENSC BSC, BSCH GEOL BSC, BSCH GPHY BA GRMN BA HIST BA LING BSC, BSCH LISC BSCH MATH BA MUSC BSCH PHYS | BA, BCMP COMP BA, MATH |
| Electrical Engineering | BSC, BSCH BCHM BA, BSC, BSCH BIOL BA, BAH DEVS BA, BAH ECON BA GMST BA MUSC BSCH PHYS | BA, BCMP COMP BCMPH COMP BA, BSC MATH BSC PHYS BA, BSC STAT |
| Engineering Chemistry | BSCH BCHM BA GMST BA BIOL BA DEVS BAH DRAM BSCH MATH BA MUSC BA PHIL BA, BAH POLS | BSC BCHM BSC, BSCH CHEM BSC, BSCH LISC BA, BSC MATH BSC BIOL |
| Engineering Physics | BAH APEC BA, BAH DEVS BA ECON BSC GEOL BA GMST BA HIST BA, BAH MUSC BA, BAH PHIL BA LANG | BA, BSC MATH BA, BSC, BSCH PHYS BA, BSC STAT |
| Engineering Physics (Computing Option) | BAH APEC BA, BAH DEVS BA GMST | BA, BCMP, BCMPH COMP |
| Engineering Physics (Electrical Option) | BSC CHEM BA, BAH DEVS | |
| Engineering Physics (Mechanical Option) | BSC CHEM BA, BAH DEVS | |
| Geological Engineering | BSC, BSCH BIOL BA, BAH DEVS BA, BAH ECON BA, BSCH ENSC BA MUSC BSCH MATH BSCH PHYS BA, BSC PHYS (*not with Geophysics Option) | BSC GEOL BSCH GEOL |
| Mathematics and Engineering | BSCH ASPH BA, BAH CLST BA, BAH DEVS BA, BAH ECON BA FILM BA, BAH FREN BA, BAH GMST BA HIST BA MUSC BA, BAH PHIL BA PHYS BA, BSC, BSCH PHYS (*except with Applied Mech Sub Plan) BA, BAH LANG | BCMP COMP BA, BAH MATH BSC, BSCH MATH |
| Mathematics and Engineering (Computing and Communications Option) | BA, BAH DEVS | BA COMP BCMP COMP BCMPH COMP |
| Mathematics and Engineering (Mechanical Option) | BA, BAH DEVS | BA, BSC PHYS BCH COMA |
| Mathematics and Engineering (Robotics Option) | ||
| Applied Mechanical Engineering | BSC, BSCH BCHM BSCH CHEM BA CLST BA, BAH DEVS BA, BAH ECON BA, BSC, BSCH GEOL BSC, BSCH LISC BA MUSC BSCH PHYS | BSC BIOL BSC CHEM BA, BSC MATH BA, BSC PHYS |
| Mining Engineering | BSCH CHEM BA CLST BA, BAH DEVS BA ECON BSC GEOL BA MUSC BA, BSC PHYS | BA, BSC CHEM |
First degree is from the Faculty of Health Sciences
| Primary Degree Program | Arts and Science Program and Plan Combinations | |
|---|---|---|
| Faculty of Health Sciences | Allowed Program and Plans | Disallowed Programs and Plans |
| BHSc | BSc Life Sciences | |
Academic Viability Charts - First degree is Arts and Science at Queen's or another Academic Institution
First degree is a BA or BAH
| First Degree Program | Allowed Programs and Plans | Disallowed Programs and Plans |
| BA Art History | BFAH Fine Art | |
| BAH Art History | BFAH Fine Art | |
| BA Biology | BA Environmental Studies | |
| BAH Computing and the Creative Arts | BA, BCP, BCH Computing | |
| BAH Sociology | BAH Music | |
| BAH English | BAH Classics | |
| BA Mathematics | BSC Geology | BA/BSC Statistics |
| BAH Psychology | BAH Sociology BAH Linguistics | |
| BA Health Studies | BSC Life Sciences | |
| BA SOCY | BAH ECON BAH GNDS |
First Degree is a BSC or BSCH
| First Degree Program | Allowed Programs and Plans | Disallowed Programs and Plans |
| BSC, BSCH Biochemistry | BA Mathematics | BA, BSHC Biology BA Mathematics BSCH Life Sciences |
| BSCH Biology | BSCH Geography BSCH Mathematics | BSCH Biochemistry BA Environmental Science BSCH SSP EGPY BSCH Life Sciences BSCH SSP Mathematics (if supporting program is Biology) |
| BSCH SSP Environmental Science and Life Sciences | BA Geography | |
| BSCH Environmental Science | BSCH Geology | |
| BSCH Geography | BA Economics | |
| BSCH Geology | BSCH Environmental Science | |
| BSCH KINE | BA PSYC | |
| BSC Life Sciences | BA Physics | BA Biology BSCH Biochemistry |
| BSCH Life Sciences | BAH Psychology BSCH Mathematics | BA, BSCH Psychology |
| BSCH Math | BSC Astrophysics | BA/BSC Statistics |
| BSCH Physics | BSCH Mathematics | BA Mathematics |
| BSCH Psychology | BAH Linguistics | BA Health |
First Degree is a BCMP, BCMPH
| First Degree Program | Allowed Programs and Plans | Disallowed Programs and Plans |
| BCMPH Computing | BA Mathematics | BA Computing and Information Science |
| BCMPH Computer Science | BA Computing and Information Science BA Mathematics BSC Mathematics BA Statistics BSC Statistics | |
| BCMPH Biomedical Computing | BSHC Mathematics | BA, BSC Biology BSCH Life Sciences |
First degree is a BFA, BFAH, or BMUS
| First Degree Program | Allowed Programs and Plans | Disallowed Programs and Plans |
| BFA Fine Art | BAH Art History | BA Art History |
| BFAH Fine Art | BA, BAH Art History |
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