Graduation requirements – graduate
Requirements Applying to All Graduate Degree
Programs
Credits applied towards graduate degree requirements must include University of Washington coursework of (1) at least 18 credits at the 500 level and above; and (2) at least 18 numerically graded credits of 400- and 500-level coursework, excluding 499 and transfer credit. For CR/NC courses, submission of a CR grade indicates that the student has met course expectations at a level such that the course may be applied towards graduate degree requirements. For S/NS courses, an S grade indicates that the student has met course expectations at a level such that the course may be applied towards graduate degree requirements. A graduate program may restrict S courses from counting towards program requirements. Graduate degree requirements consist primarily of graduate-level coursework at the 500 level and above. Courses at the 300 level and 400 level may be part of a student鈥檚 course of study and applied toward graduate degree requirements when acceptable to the Graduate School and the Graduate Faculty of the student鈥檚 graduate program (). Any 300- or 400-level course applied towards graduate degree requirements must be confirmed by the Graduate Faculty of the unit to have a level of rigor and depth appropriate to the graduate program and to have a subject matter closely aligned with the degree program鈥檚 outcomes. Coursework at the 300 level may not be applied towards the minimum 18 graded credits and may not be applied towards more than one-third of total degree requirements, except as previously approved by the Graduate School.
A student must be registered for credit the quarter in which any required exam or presentation occurs. A
student must maintain registration as a full-time or part-time graduate student for the quarter the degree or certificate is conferred. A minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 is required to earn a graduate degree, and a minimum of 2.7 is required in each course that is counted toward graduate degree requirements. The GPA for graduate students is calculated entirely on the basis of numeric grades in 400- and 500-level
courses, see . With the approval of a student鈥檚 graduate program and the Graduate School, up to 6 credits of 400-level or 500-level coursework, taken as a senior while an undergraduate at the University of Washington, may be applied towards graduate degree requirements. With the approval of a student鈥檚 graduate program, a restricted amount of Graduate Non-Matriculated (GNM) credit may be applied towards degree requirements, as described in . Credit taken while enrolled as a non-matriculated (NM) student or while matriculated as a postbaccalaureate student at the University of Washington may not be applied towards graduate degree requirements. Credit by independent study or advanced credit examination is not transferable.
The Master’s Degree
In addition to the requirements listed under that apply to all graduate degree programs: Master鈥檚 degree requirements must include a minimum of 36 credits. A maser鈥檚 program may require more than this minimum. A student must complete all work for the maser鈥檚 degree within six years from the time 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. A master鈥檚 program generally should require a final culminating or integrated experience, with the exception of applied professional programs where a coursework-only program can be thoroughly justified in the program proposal (e.g., a coursework-only program is the standard in the field).
Coursework that may be applied towards master’s degree requirements
A maximum of 6 quarter credits of graduate-level coursework taken at another recognized academic institution may be transferred and apply to UW maser鈥檚 degree requirements, when acceptable to the graduate program and the Graduate School. No more than 12 credits derived from any combination of GNM credits and transfer credits may be applied towards the total degree requirements. Transfer credits may not be applied towards the thesis or culminating experience requirement.
Thesis Programs
The master鈥檚 thesis provides evidence of the graduate student鈥檚 ability to carry out independent investigation and to present the results in clear and systemic form. The thesis must be written in the English language. If there are circumstances that warrant a dissertation in another language, the program may petition the Graduate School.
A thesis program must include a minimum of 9 thesis credits (700). Thesis credits (700) will not apply to requirements for a non-thesis master鈥檚 degree. See for any thesis that will include human or animal subjects.
Final Examination
If a master鈥檚 program requires a final examination, it may be either oral or written. A majority of the supervisory committee must approve for satisfactory completion, and all members of the supervisory committee must certify examination results. If the examination is not satisfactory, the committee may recommend to the Dean of the Graduate School that the student be allowed to take another examination after a period of further study.