Many schools do not require an interview, but meetings can be arranged with an administrator or faculty member. Some schools may require entering students to demonstrate skills in computer use or may require successful completion of remedial courses early in the program. The number of academic credit hours required for a master's degree also varies. Many programs require 36 credit hours, but variations from 36 semester hours to 72 quarter hours exist. Many programs can be completed in one calendar year with full-time attendance.
Some schools require two years.
Although catalogs describe courses that are part of the curriculum, schools usually have a separate listing of courses being offered for the current term. Most have projected course schedules for the next academic year, and some will have projections for the next two to three years. Students should carefully review the calendar of course offerings because not all courses will be presented each term. During a summer term the number of courses offered may differ from other times of the year. Summer courses are often taught at an accelerated pace.