The Ph.D. is an academic degree. The Ed.D. is a professional degree. Their programs emphasize intensive study in a major area of specialization and often a minor area as well, leading to the development or extension of theory and research in the major field. D. candidates seek positions as administrators, supervisors, consultants, college professors, and as nonteaching education specialists. The School of Education offers the M.S. in nearly 30 areas and the M.Mus. in Music Education.
All programs provide opportunities for the development of scholarly and professional skills.
Master's programs in many areas may be developed on the basis of baccalaureate degrees in the humanities, social sciences, foreign language, mathematics, science, and psychology, for example, even though courses in professional education were not included in the undergraduate program. A minimum of 30 credits are required by many programs. How-ever, other programs set the minimum requirements at 36 credits or more. In addition to education courses, students may elect courses in the colleges of Arts and Sciences, Visual and Performing Arts, Human Development, and other schools within the University. A maximum of 9 credits of transfer work can be included in a 30-credit master's degree program.