Graduate Policies

Policies and Guidance

��ר�� awards a number of graduate credentials. These may be transcripted or not transcripted, depending on the credential. Definitions and minimum credit hours to earn the credential as well as minimum unique hours to earn the credential follow.

A master’s degree is a coherent primary, post-graduate program within an academic discipline or interdisciplinary subject area. It provides specialized, high-level knowledge in a specific field. It requires a minimum of thirty graduate credit hours to complete a master’s degree. Individual schools and colleges establish the upper limit of courses/credit-hours required for a particular master’s degree. The master’s degree appears on both the diploma and the transcript. Coursework from the master’s degree may be applied, at the discretion of the offering department, to the total credit hours for a doctoral degree, for students who complete both in succession.

A doctoral degree the highest academic credential available in discipline or interdisciplinary area. Attainment of a doctoral degree signifies expert level knowledge and original contribution to a discipline. Doctoral degrees require a minimum of sixty graduate credit hours or the equivalent in coursework and focused research and scholarship to complete. Individual schools and colleges establish the upper limit of courses/credit hours required for a particular doctoral degree. Most doctoral degrees require completion of comprehensive examinations and/or a focused research dissertation to complete, in addition to coursework. Coursework from the master’s degree may be applied, at the discretion of the offering department, to the total credit hours for a doctoral degree, for students who complete both in succession. The doctoral degree appears on both the diploma and the transcript.

A Juris Doctor is the primary professional graduate credential required to practice Law in the United States. The Juris Doctor requires a minimum of eighty-seven graduate credit hours to complete and prepares students to understand the law in a variety of contexts. The Juris Doctor is composed of progressive graduate coursework and real-world experience through internship programs, academic externships, and public service placements. The Juris Doctor appears on both the diploma and the transcript.

The Master of Laws is an advanced, specialized graduate law degree designed for individuals who have already earned a Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited U.S. law school or a first degree in law from a recognized international institution. The LL.M. program provides an opportunity for in-depth study in a particular area of law, enabling students to develop subject-matter expertise, enhance professional credentials, and engage with complex legal issues in a global and interdisciplinary context. The Master of Laws appears on both the diploma and the transcript.

The Artist Diploma program is a two-year program for a small number of extraordinary performers who already hold a bachelor’s degree, master’s degree or equivalent conservatory or professional qualifications and who are on the threshold of a solo career in performance. By their performance and credentials, applicants must demonstrate that they are in the final stages of preparation to enter major competitions and/or to begin a professional solo career. Candidates for the Artist Diploma must possess not only great talent, but also the ability and determination to realize that talent in the contemporary musical world. A minimum of twenty credit hours is required for completion of the Artist Diploma.

The Performer’s Diploma program is a two-year program for exceptional performers who already hold a minimum of a bachelor’s degree or equivalent conservatory or professional qualifications and who are preparing for a career in performance. The Performer’s Diploma is available in piano, strings, voice, organ, woodwinds, brass or percussion. By their performance and credentials, applicants must demonstrate that they have the potential to become professional performers and are well on the way to realizing that potential. The program provides intensive studio instruction in performance along with ensemble, chamber music and repertoire coursework related to the major. A minimum of twenty credit hours is required for completion of the Performer’s Diploma.

A graduate certificate is a series of related post-graduate coursework in a discipline or disciplinary area intended to give students limited expertise in an area of a discipline or area of inquiry. Graduate certificates requires a minimum of twelve graduate credit hours to complete. Individual schools and colleges establish the upper limit of courses/credit hours required for a particular graduate certificate. The graduate certificate appears on the transcript but does not appear on a diploma. Graduate certificates created prior to this policy may have fewer than 12 credit hours.