There are no major or minor area requirements for the master's degree. However, no degree can be awarded for the accumulation of credits without a planned and approved program of study. Courses for the degree are expected to be concentrated in the candidate's field of interest and related areas to produce a well-developed and coherent program. Requirements for the master's degree must be completed within a period of four calendar years, or within a maximum of seven calendar years with special permission of the department and the Dean of the Graduate School if all of the study is done on a part-time basis. Candidates must take at least 80 percent of the credits required for the degree at the University of Rhode Island.
Some departments offer both a thesis and a nonthesis option, while others offer only one plan.
The general requirements for these options are as follows. Thesis Option . Four copies of the thesis prepared in accordance with Graduate School requirements must be submitted to the Graduate School Office. A statement on preparation of theses is available from that office. Nonthesis Option .