This page includes information on both undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Most students admitted as undergraduates rank in the upper 15-20 percent of their secondary school class and score in the top 15 percent on national achievement exams. A minimum of 3 years beyond the master's level is generally required, with the early stages devoted to advanced coursework culminating with the preparation of a original dissertation. Credits toward a bachelor's degree are expressed in semester hours . One semester hour represents one hour in class each week for 16 weeks.
Many classes average three hours of credit.
A minimum of 120 semester hours of credit are required for graduation, normally taking a minimum of four years to complete such a program of study. Credits toward a graduate degree are expressed in units . One unit is the equivalent of four semester hours, with a full load being three units.