Graduate Degree Requirements (A.04.03)

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Scope

All graduate students.

Purpose

The University of St. Thomas awards the following graduate degrees:

  • Master of Arts
  • Master of Business Administration
  • Master of Divinity
  • Master of Education
  • Master of Fine Arts
  • Master of Healthcare Administration
  • Master of Liberal Arts
  • Master of Public Policy and Administration
  • Master of Sacred Music
  • Master of Science
  • Doctor of Education
  • Doctor of Nursing Practice
  • PhD in Philosophy

This document describes general policies on minimum degree requirements and allowable credits for these graduate degrees. Degree requirements for specific graduate programs are managed by that program and may be different from the minimum requirements described here.

Definitions

SACSCOC defines an academic program as “a credential as defined by the institution" (from notes on SACSCOC Standard 8.2a in the SACSCOC Resource Manual for the Principles of Accreditation). An academic program is a combination of courses and related activities organized to achieve specific learning outcomes defined by the university and ‘leading to a for-credit credential including a degree, diploma, certificate, or other generally recognized credentials’ (from Appendix B: Glossary of Terns in the SACSCOC Resource Manual for the Principles of Accreditation).

A graduate degree program consists of a coherent body of study beyond the baccalaureate degree that includes a meaningful progression of coursework and, for most programs, includes a final culminating experience or an integrated experience across the curriculum. Examples of culminating experiences include a thesis, dissertation, or other creative work, capstone project, comprehensive examination, or supervised field experience. Integrated learning experiences connect concepts and experiences across the curriculum to form a meaningful whole.

Policy

01. Requirements for Graduate Degrees

  • Graduate degree requirements consist primarily of graduate-level coursework at the 5000 level and above.
  • A minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 is required to earn a graduate degree.
  • Students seeking a graduate degree will ordinarily follow the degree requirements of the catalog in effect at the time of their first matriculation into the University, or they may follow the requirements of any subsequent catalog in effect during their continued enrollment. Students who leave the University for four or more consecutive regular semesters (fall and spring) and subsequently re-enroll must follow either the degree requirements of the catalog in effect at the time of their re-enrollment or the requirements of any subsequent catalog in effect during their continued enrollment.
  • Ordinarily, a student must follow all the requirements of the catalog chosen. Exceptions may arise if program requirements must be revised to implement new educational standards recommended or required by federal or state agencies, professional societies, or the University’s faculty.
  • At least one-third of the credit hours required for the graduate degree must be earned through instruction offered by the University of St. Thomas.
  • Students must file for graduation the semester prior to graduation via myStThom. The Office of the Registrar will post the dates by which a graduating student should file for graduation.
  • All financial obligations to the University must be satisfied before the University issues a diploma to a student.

02. Additional requirements for Master’s Degrees

In addition to the requirements listed above (in 1) that apply to all graduate degree programs:

  • Master’s degree programs must include a minimum of 30 credits. A master’s program may require more than this minimum.
  • A student must complete all work for the master’s degree within six years of first enrollment. Periods spent on leave or out of status are included in these limits. Exceptions to time to degree will be made at the program level.

02.1 Additional Master’s degree

  • A student who already holds a graduate degree from the University of St. Thomas may be required to complete as few as 24 hours to obtain a master’s degree. The specific number of hours required will depend upon the specific courses completed in the prior graduate program and the specific requirements of the second degree (between 24 and 60 hours).
  • Students planning to earn an additional Master’s degree should consult the appropriate department chair to develop a degree plan before first registration at the University.

 

APPROVED: Dr. Richard Ludwick
Date of Original Formation: 07/02/2024
Revision Number:
Revision Date:
Effective Date: 08/01/2024