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Master’s students must have an approved Program of Study that includes, but is not limited to, coursework and a capstone experience. A master’s degree requires the completion of at least 30 semester credit hours of graduate work. The requirement for residence credit must be met. A detailed description of the degree requirements can be obtained from each graduate program and must be posted on the website of the teaching unit.
Capstone Experience
One capstone experience (e.g., thesis, research project, practicum, internship or other experience as determined by the graduate program) is required. The nature and scope of the capstone experience is determined by the graduate program and is included in the Program of Study. If the capstone is a comprehensive examination, the structure, content, and grading of the examination, as well as any policy on retaking the examination will be determined by the teaching unit.
Thesis
Students writing a thesis as their capstone experience are expected to demonstrate their capacity to do original, independent research. Students must take no fewer than three semester credit hours of master’s thesis research (797). Students continue to register for thesis credits each semester until the completion of the thesis. A thesis advisory committee shall consist of no fewer than two members of the AU faculty. In consultation with the Thesis Chair, the student solicits faculty for the committee and submits their names for approval by the Graduate Program Director.
Jointly Administered Degree Programs
A Jointly Administered Degree Program is a specified combination of courses, typically from more than one academic or teaching unit, that combines elements of the various courses of study in those units for the purpose of providing a combined program of study towards a specific degree. Both units have responsibilities to monitor student progress and provide academic advising. Upon completion of the Jointly Administered Degree Program, the student receives one graduate degree.
Dual Degree Programs
A Dual Degree Program is a combination of two separate approved degree programs. Upon completion of a Dual Degree Program, a student will be conferred the two degrees included in the Dual Degree Program. Credits that apply from one program to another must be approved by their respective Graduate Program Directors and under the following conditions:
- Students must meet all of the course, capstone, and other requirements for each degree program.
- The details for dual master’s degrees must be approved by the Graduate Program Director and the Associate Dean of the academic unit for each of the two degrees. Candidates for dual master’s degrees must submit a formal petition to the Graduate Program Director of each master’s program before the conferral date of the first degree.
- The student applies for and receives each degree upon completion of all the requirements for that degree. The degrees may or may not be completed simultaneously.
- At least 50% of the courses taken in each program in the Dual Degree Program must be taken in residence, and students must satisfy residency requirements as specified in the graduate regulations.
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