Dual Degree & Special Programs

Dual Degree

The UNH Graduate School offers a variety of dual degree options, certificates and special programs that may not be outlined in the catalog. These programs are described and listed below.

The UNH Graduate School offers a variety of dual degree programs. For general information on the various types of dual degree programs we offer, see our policy section on dual degrees in our online catalog.

Accelerated Master's Dual Degree Programs (UNH Seniors Only)

Accelerated Master's Admission is a Special Program for UNH Seniors Only. Qualified University of New Hampshire seniors may be admitted to the Graduate School provided they have followed normal application procedures. See our Accelerated Master's Program page for complete details, and search our programs of study page for eligible accelerated master's programs.

Business Administration and Law (M.B.A./J.D.) Dual Degree Program

UNH School of Law, in conjunction with the Peter T. Paul College of Business and Economics at UNH, offers a M.B.A./J.D. (Master of Business Administration/Juris Doctor) dual degree program for students seeking the benefits of both degrees. The integration of these two degrees enables students to graduate with a rich understanding of how legal and business issues are increasingly related in a complex global economy. Please see the Programs of Study for more information about the M.B.A./J.D. dual degree guidelines and review our J.D. dual degree protocols.

Certificates as a Dual (Secondary) Program

A student can also pursue a certificate program as a secondary degree. Instructions to apply for this program are provided on the application for a certificate as a secondary degree form.

Public Policy and Law (M.P.P./J.D.) Dual Degree Program

The Carsey School of Public Policy in conjunction with the UNH Law School offers a dual degree M.P.P./J.D. (Master of Public Policy/Juris Doctor) program for students seeking the benefits of both degrees. This dual degree program trains students to effectively combine legal issues in the realm of public policy. For information about applying, please review our J.D. dual degree protocols.

Social Work and Law (M.S.W./J.D.) Dual Degree Program

The Social Work Department in conjunction with the UNH Law School offers a dual degree M.S.W./J.D. (Master of Social Work/Juris Doctor) program for students who want to pursue a career combining law and social work to address social justice issues like immigration, domestic violence or gender bias and discrimination. Please review our J.D. dual degree protocols and contact Dr. Sharon Murphy for information about applying.

Social Work and Recreation Management & Policy Dual Degree Program

The Social Work and Recreation Management & Policy graduate faculty are recognized leaders in their fields. Graduates of the dual degree pursue successful, satisfying careers that bring counseling skills into challenging wilderness experiences for a therapeutic intervention that’s highly effective in promoting wellness and mental health, particularly among adolescents.

Bridge Program

International applicants with below-minimum TOEFL scores or a bachelor's degree in an unrelated field may apply as a Bridge Master’s student. The ESL Bridge and the Academic Bridge Programs are an option for students who wish to enroll at UNH, but still need to develop language or academic skills.

Bridge Master’s students begin their UNH studies by taking a combination of English as a Second Language (ESL) or Undergraduate courses and their graduate courses. Once Bridge students pass their pre-requisite courses, they will be fully enrolled in their graduate program. For more information about our Bridge Program please visit the Bridge Programs page or  contact the Graduate School directly.

Earth, Oceans, and Space (EOS) Interdisciplinary Study and Research

The Institute for the Study of Earth, Oceans, and Space offers students the opportunity for interdisciplinary study and research. Certain graduate degree programs in earth sciences, physics, natural resources and zoology can be accessed through the Institute as follows:

  • All M.S. programs in earth sciences
  • Specialization in space physics and astrophysics (M.S. and Ph.D.)
  • Departmental (M.S.) or interdepartmental (Ph.D.) program in natural resources and earth systems sciences

Admission and degree requirements are set by the respective departments and program. See the graduate program descriptions in earth sciences, physics, zoology, natural resources and the natural resources and earth systems sciences program (NRESS) for admission and degree requirements.

English as a Second Language (ESL) Institute

Our intensive ESL Institute program is offered each summer and during the academic year. The Institute helps students develop their English language skills, learn more about American culture and prepare for study at an American university. Our program consists of four hours of in-class English instruction each morning, including pronunciation, conversation, listening comprehension, reading and writing. Equal attention is given to spoken and written language. Language lab, computer facilities and our state-of-the-art library are available for student use.

Global Student Success Program

The Global Student Success Program is a two-semester program designed for students who have completed a bachelor’s degree but need additional academic support to gain entry to the UNH graduate degree programs in engineering and computer science.

Marine Program

The UNH Marine Program integrates marine research, education and public service activities of over 60 faculty, 300 undergraduate students and 100 graduate students from 14 departments and three colleges at the university. The program serves as a catalyst for marine research activities at various levels from individual investigators to large interdisciplinary Centers of Excellence and Cooperative Institutes projects. Since 2000, these activities have attracted in excess of $20M in extramural support annually and this has allowed us to expand the research opportunities available to our undergraduate and graduate students. In addition to these opportunities, the Marine Program retains a core focus on finding solutions to real-world problems and integrating these efforts not only into the formal classroom, but through nationally-acclaimed public education and outreach efforts through our Marine Docent and Sea Grant programs.

Master of Library and Information Studies (M.L.I.S.) - Suspended Until Further Notice

The Graduate School of Library and Information Studies of the University of Rhode Island (URI), with the cooperation and support of the UNH Library, offers courses each semester in Durham. The courses meet requirements for a URI Master's Degree in Library and Information Studies (M.L.I.S.). The degree requires 42 hours of credit, most of which may be completed at UNH and/or through online courses. Depending on the individual program of study, a student may need to take one or more courses at other campuses (URI Kingston, URI Providence or Worcester State College).

NH Leadership in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (NH LEND) Program

The NH Leadership in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities Program (NH LEND) is a collaboration between the Institute on Disability/University Center for Excellence in Disability (UCED) at the University of New Hampshire, the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth College and the Center for Community Inclusion and Disability Studies/UCED at the University of Maine. NH LEND is a maternal and child health-funded workforce development program.

NH LEND seeks to improve the health of children and youth with neurodevelopmental disabilities by preparing leaders to enter the field of maternal and child health. Trainees from a variety of professional disciplines engage in graduate-level training related to interdisciplinary leadership for children and youth with developmental disabilities and their families. Since 2011, a partnership between NH LEND and the University of Maine has served an area not currently served by a LEND training program and assists in developing infrastructure and addressing regional needs, particularly in rural underserved regions.

The NH LEND Program provides training for students and professionals from diverse disciplines, including:

  • Audiology
  • Developmental Pediatrics
  • Early Childhood Education
  • Health Management & Policy
  • Nutrition
  • Nursing
  • Occupational Therapy
  • Physical Therapy
  • Psychology
  • Public Health
  • Social Work
  • Speech Language Pathology

This rigorous program includes coursework and practicum experiences with faculty, families, community partners and legislators. Traineeships require a minimum commitment of 300 hours over a nine-month period. Competitive stipends are awarded to support participation in the program.

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis beginning in December each year. For more information and an application please visit the NH LEND Program website.

Preparing Future Faculty (PFF) Program

The UNH Preparing Future Faculty (PFF) Program provides graduate students with the necessary tools to become successful faculty members. The program includes faculty mentoring opportunities, teaching courses with faculty supervision, direct, personal experience with diverse institutions and learning about the emerging and future expectations of faculty. The PFF Program is intended to enhance, rather than replace, current models of graduate education.

Professional Development and Training

UNH Professional Development & Training (PD&T) offers a variety of seminars, noncredit certificate programs, conferences and institutes designed to provide practical, state-of-the-art skills and knowledge that enable individuals, companies and organizations to enhance their performance and productivity. Offerings are held at the PD&T Training Centers at Pease Tradeport in Portsmouth, in downtown Manchester, and on the Durham campus. In addition to its public programs, PD&T also develops customized training to meet the needs of companies that want to offer in-house training for their managers and staff. For more information, call (603) 862-7380 or send an email to professional.development@unh.edu.

Stackable MBA/MSBA degree option: Complete two graduate degrees in two years

Applicants that are applying to the MBA program are now able to apply to the MSBA, to start the MSBA immediately following the MBA. Applicants will fill out distinct applications for each program and transcripts, test scores, and statements of residency will only need to be submitted once. Applicants also pay only one application fee. Please check the box on your MBA application that signifies you are interested in applying to the stackable degree program. For questions on this new option please reach out to PaulCollege.Grad@unh.edu and we will be happy to assist you.

Benefits:

  • STEM OPT opportunities after completing the MSBA
  • All students: Two MBA courses will count as MSBA electives, reducing the MSBA tuition in year two