Master’s Requirements Overview

Before degree conferral is possible, all master’s candidates must:

  • Maintain continuous registration.
  • Complete a minimum of 30 credit hours of graduate study.
  • Fulfill a minimum residency requirement of 24 credit hours. Residency requirements for master’s degrees can be satisfied through full-time or part-time registration.
  • File an Application to Candidacy with the Graduate School. The Application to Candidacy must be approved by the academic dean and divisional or area committee by the appropriate dates.
  • Pass a comprehensive examination, complete an appropriate special project, prepare a portfolio, or finish a thesis based on independent research. Students who select the project or portfolio option must submit to the Graduate School a short summary of the work completed (150 words or less) at the time of completion, presumably with the m-form.
  • Complete additional requirements as the department might specify.