The specific course requirements for the areas of graduate study leading to a master's degree are defined in the various school and department sections of this bulletin.
Many departments allow graduate students the option of following a thesis or a non-thesis program.
Students should examine the departmental section of this catalog to determine the options offered in the proposed major. Master's degree programs, including professional degrees should include curriculum components that demonstrate the importance of research and writing skills in graduate education. The School of Graduate Studies requires that all graduate programs introduce students to serious research opportunities. Regardless of whether the thesis or non-thesis option is elected, students are required to enroll in a departmental course which introduces them to the tools and methods of scholarly research. Courses designated to satisfy the research requirement must be approved by the Graduate Council.