For some the Master's degree will be a terminal degree but others may plan to pursue a doctoral degree. Masters students must complete a six credit core, then select a specialization area and either a nonthesis or thesis track. The nonthesis option requires a minimum of 36 credit hours and includes a practicum, internship, or field experience. Candidates selecting the thesis option will be required to complete a minimum of 30 credit hours. Candidates for the M.S. degree, thesis option, in exercise and sport science will develop research skills and other technical skills required to complete a six credit hour thesis.
Most students require two years to complete the degree.
The Ph.D. degree requires three or more years of graduate study beyond the Master's degree. The Ph.D. is a research oriented degree requiring a major and a cognate or auxiliary area. The exact number of hours and the specific courses to be taken are entirely dependent on the Supervisory Committee of the graduate student. Other general guidelines are that the Ph.D. degree is normally 90 hours beyond the Bachelor's degree, not including the research tool requirement. Two consecutive semesters of work are needed to complete the residency requirement and at least half of the course work must be completed at the University of Utah.