Attainment of a graduate degree demonstrates that a person has reached prescribed milestones in the pursuit of knowledge beyond the bachelor’s degree. Satisfactory completion of the master’s and/or doctoral degree is characterized by a greater level of independent research compared to the undergraduate educational experience. In an age of accelerating development, it is important that degree requirements be completed in a timely manner so the student remains abreast of, and contributes to, new knowledge.

Credit and GPA Requirements

Thirty credits beyond the bachelor’s degree are required for most master’s programs, though some require more. The distribution of credits among coursework, practicum, and research credits will vary depending on the master’s plan chosen. See the Graduate Program websites for detailed information about individual programs.

Thirty credits beyond the master’s degree are required for the PhD.

No course numbered below 3000 can be counted toward a graduate degree, with the exception that Peace Corps Master’s International students may use 2 credits of language courses below the 3000 level. Courses numbered in the 3000 and 4000 series are intended primarily for upper-division undergraduate students but are available to graduate students for graduate credit with their graduate program’s approval, indicated by signature on the degree schedule. Although courses numbered in the 5000 series are intended primarily for graduate students, they are also available to qualified senior students. Courses numbered in the 6000 series are available only to advanced graduate students.

Neither audit, nor continuous enrollment and other pass/fail courses, may be used toward the total number of credits required. The only non-graded credits that count toward a degree are research credits, which are marked satisfactory/unsatisfactory.

Students must maintain an overall 3.0 GPA for all coursework taken as a graduate student. No course in which a grade lower than B (3.0) is received may be used toward a graduate degree without express permission of the Department Chair or Graduate Program Director.

Credit Definition

Academic advancement by students is measured in terms of semester-hour credits or simply credits. One credit should average 3½  hours of a student’s time per week for one semester. Depending on course requirements, these 3½  hours may all be spent in the classroom or laboratory or may be divided between home study and class or laboratory attendance. One hour in class and 2½  hours in individual study is a typical division. Students should multiply the course credits by 3.5 to determine the demands the course will place on their time during a typical week of the semester. For example, in MA5524 Functional Analysis (a 3-credit course with no lab), one would expect to spend 10½  hours per week on the course (3 hours in class and 7½  hours out of class).

Residency Requirements—Academic

Residency requirements differ among degree programs. Please refer to the specific guidelines for the different degree programs.

Time Limits

All work for the master’s degree must be completed within five calendar years of the first enrollment in the degree program. All work for the PhD must be completed within eight calendar years of the first enrollment in the degree program. Requests for extension must be made by the advisor to the Dean of the Graduate School.

Degree-Specific Requirements

The links below provide degree-specific requirements and a timeline for completion of each degree. Please also check with your graduate program, however, since requirements beyond the minimum may vary from program to program.

 
Last reviewed on 11/05/2007
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