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Master's Degree

  • Master’s Degree - Definitions and Requirements:
    • NYSED stipulates that Master’s degree programs shall normally require a minimum of one academic year of full-time graduate level study, or its equivalent in part-time study, with an accumulation of not less than 30 semester hours. Research or a comparable occupational or professional experience shall be a component of each master’s degree program. The requirements for a master’s degree shall include at least one of the following: passing a comprehensive test, writing a thesis based on independent research or completing an appropriate special project.
    • Additionally, for New York State student financial aid programs (not federal), NYSED defines "full-time" study as enrollment for at least 12 semester hours for a semester. Thus, to be considered full-time for State financial aid, a 30-credit master's degree program should be capable of completion in two semesters (15 credits each) or two semesters (12 credits each) plus one 6-credit extended term (e.g. summer or winter).
    • Minimum Credit Hours:
      • MA: 30 semester credit hours
      • MFA: 30 semester credit hours
      • MBA: 30 semester credit hours
      • M.ARCH: 30 semester credit hours
      • MS: 30 semester credit hours
    • Course Requirements:
      • Credit toward a graduate degree shall be earned only through work designed expressly for graduate students. Enrollment of undergraduate students in a graduate course and of graduate students in undergraduate courses shall be strictly controlled by the institution.
    • Coursework in graduate courses is clearly graduate-level work, and advanced in content, rigor and requirements.
    • Faculty Credentials:
      • Faculty members teaching at the graduate level must hold earned doctorates or other terminal degrees in their specialty areas, except as indicated below.
      • Faculty members teaching at the graduate level without an earned doctorate or other terminal degree have significant, widely recognized special competence in the field in which they teach. This is demonstrated through national or international publications, research recognized in the field and other contributions to the advancement of knowledge, professional practice or quality of life. The burden of proof is on the institution to demonstrate the special competence of such individuals.
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