Course Requirements and Credits

Candidates complete a minimum of 32 credit hours of coursework, consisting of 20 didactic credits and 12 research credits. Students typically complete 5 to 7 elective didactic credits. When selecting electives, students should be guided by their research interests and thesis topic. Additionally, students may choose to undertake an independent study for up to 3 credits in place of an elective course.

MS candidates are also required to design and carry out an original research project under the mentorship of a faculty advisor and an advisory committee. The thesis or paper, which serves as the culmination of this research, must contribute new knowledge to the field. It should clearly demonstrate the significance of the findings, integrating appropriate methodology, techniques, statistics, and a comprehensive review of relevant literature. The thesis must be presented and defended before the advisory committee. A total of 12 credits will be awarded for research, thesis development, and final oral defense.