In 2022, the UW Graduate School introduced the “stacked degree” policy, allowing graduate programs to include as part of its degree requirements one or more earned graduate certificates.
The intent of a stacked degree is to provide for flexible entry to graduate education for students who would benefit from a graduate certificate credential and who may or may not ultimately pursue a graduate degree.
We have implemented, or are in the process of implementing, three degrees under this policy:
- Master of Engineering in Leadership and Systems Innovation in the Department of Industrial & Systems Engineering
- Students complete two of the three graduate certificates listed below, plus a capstone
- Graduate Certificate in Data Analytics for Systems Operations
- Graduate Certificate in Systems Engineering Design and Analysis
- Graduate Certificate in Systems Engineering Leadership
- Students complete two of the three graduate certificates listed below, plus a capstone
- Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning for Engineering in the College of Engineering Dean’s Office
- Students complete two of the four graduate certificates listed below plus a thesis or capstone
- Graduate Certificate in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning for Engineering
- Graduate Certificate in Data Driven Dynamic Systems & Control for Engineering
- Graduate Certificate in AI/ML Driven Molecular and Process Engineering
- Graduate Certificate in Data Analytics for Systems Operations
- Students complete two of the four graduate certificates listed below plus a thesis or capstone
- Master of Engineering in Multidisciplinary Engineering in the College of Engineering Dean’s Office (Approval in progress)
- Students complete two graduate certificates, plus a capstone
- Proposed eligible graduate certificates include any currently approved graduate certificates from across the College of Engineering
- Students complete two graduate certificates, plus a capstone
Review and approval of a stacked degree is managed as part of the degree program approval or program change process overseen by the Graduate School. If you are interested in exploring this option for your own college or department, please contact the Office of Academic Affairs.