MS Degree Requirements

The M.S. degree is offered under two options. Plan A requires a thesis. Plan B substitutes additional course work and special reports or projects for the thesis. The M.S. program ordinarily requires from three to five semesters in residence and cannot be completed in less than two semesters. At least 60% of the coursework must be completed as a registered University of Minnesota Graduate School student. Both Masters degree plans require that students maintain a B or better average.

Plan A

A minimum of 14 semester credits is required in the major and six credits in a designated minor, or related fields outside the major. Selection of courses to fulfill this requirement and development of the thesis project are primarily the responsibility of the student and faculty advisor. Additionally, they must register for a minimum of 10 thesis credits. An official program of study, listing course work to be completed and a thesis title, is submitted to a departmental Graduate Studies Committee for review and then forwarded to the Graduate School for approval. M.S. students are expected to present a yearly departmental seminar during their course of study.

Plan B

A minimum of 30 credits is required. These must include 14 or more credits in the major area and at least six credits in one or more related fields outside the major. The balance of credits is chosen by agreement between the advisor and student. In addition to course work, a project(s) is to be conducted that requires approximately 120 hours to complete. The nature and extent of the project is agreed upon in advance by the student and faculty advisor.

Seminars

Departmental seminars are scheduled throughout the academic year and presentations are given by invited speakers, faculty and graduate students. M.S. students are expected to present a departmental seminar during their course of study.