The degree takes four years for students going full time, and substantially longer for part-time students. Many of the professional schools have separate bulletins as well as brief sections in this bulletin. Outstanding students wishing to continue their education may begin graduate work after the completion of their bachelor s degrees. Most master s degree programs require applicants to take standardized national examinations such as the Graduate Record Examination and apply for the program the spring prior to admission. The graduate program in business requires students to take the GMAT as part of the admission process.
Most students continue to study in their undergraduate major field.
Students wishing to switch fields may be required to take undergraduate course work as preparation for admission to a master s program, which presumes prior preparation in the area of study. Generally master s work is more narrowly focused, and degrees require one to two years of full-time study. Some graduate programs may be taken on a part-time basis. The doctorate is the highest degree awarded and requires course work, comprehensive examinations, original research, and a dissertation. A minimum of three years of study beyond the master s is minimal, and most students require more time to complete the course work and research.