The MA degree is offered on either a thesis or non-thesis basis.
Students work with their advisors to develop their program of study.
A student who opts for the thesis plan must complete 30 credits of graduate course work including six thesis credits. Six to nine of the student's credits must be taken outside the department in a subject area approved by the department. A student who opts fot the non-thesis plan must complete 33 graduate credits, nine to twelve of which must be taken outside the department in a subject area approved by the department. All MA students must complete a minimum of 18 credits in 700-level courses. Students should plan carefully to be sure that they take a sufficient number of these courses as they proceed through their course of study.