3.1 Degree Requirements

See also PRR regulation(s): REG 02.25.5, REG 02.25.10

1. Master of Arts and Master of Science
2. Master's of Degree in a Designated Field
3. Option B Master's Degree
4. Credit Hour Requirements for Master's Degrees
5. Doctor of Philosophy and Doctor of Education

A. Master of Arts and Master of Science

All Master of Science and Master of Arts degree programs are planned with the objective of making possible a reasonable, comprehensive mastery of the subject matter in a chosen field. In most cases, the Master of Science and Master of Arts programs provide training and experience in research in order to familiarize the student with the methods, ideals and goals of independent investigation. In these cases, representative of most Master of Science and Master of Arts degree programs, a thesis is required. A small number of Master of Science and Master of Arts programs do not require a thesis.

Students in the Master of Arts or Master of Science programs follow the individual program and the Graduate School requirements that were in effect when they entered the program.

The following are minimum requirements for a degree in Master of Science or Master of Arts degree programs:

1. A minimum of 30 semester hours of graduate work in the degree program, unless the specific program requires more hours.
2. A reading knowledge of a foreign language (in a few programs; see Section 3.5)
3. A comprehensive written examination (in some programs)
4. A thesis (in most programs)
5. A comprehensive oral examination (except Option B programs)

NOTE: Requirements for ALL Master's degrees must be completed within six (6) calendar years. For further information about the time limited for degrees, see Section 3.4.

B. Master's Degree in a Designated Field

A number of departments and programs offer Master's degrees in designated fields. These are professional degrees and do not require a thesis.

Requirements include the following:

1. A minimum of 30 semester hours of graduate work in the degree program (unless the specific program requires more hours).
2. A comprehensive written examination (in some programs)
3. A comprehensive oral examination (except Option B programs)

C. Option B Master's Degree

1. A comprehensive oral exam is not required
2. A thesis is not required
3. Departmental research credit hours (XXX 695) will not be included as part of the course work
4. No more than six hours of independent study credits can be included in the 30-hour minimum
5. Individual departments define other requirements for their Option B program, such as additional course work or final projects
6. Option B Master's degree programs cannot carry an officially designated minor
7. Students have a single assigned advisor rather than an advisory committee.

D. Credit Hour Requirements for Master's Degrees
[Recommended by the Administrative Board of the Graduate School and approved by the Dean of the Graduate School on 2/7/02]

A minimum of 30 semester credit hours is required for all Master's degrees. Students may take more than the minimum hours required by their program. The Graduate School does not give credit for non-credit course work (i.e. non-departmental seminars, workshops, short courses, conferences, and other 'life experience' offerings). Furthermore, the Graduate School does not allow credit by examination.

The following are specific credit-hour limitations:

1. No more than two (2) credit hours of departmental seminar (S/U graded) may be included in the minimum 30-credit program.
2. No more than three (3) credit hours of Master's supervised teaching (XXX 685) may be included in the minimum 30-credit program
3. Programs that require a thesis may include no more than six (6) hours of Thesis Research credit (XXX 695) in the minimum 30-credit-hour program. Thesis Research credit is not permitted in non-thesis programs, except upon approval by an Associate Dean of the Graduate School in cases where the student was initially enrolled in a thesis program but later transferred to a non-thesis program.
4. Non-thesis programs may include no more than six (6) hours of independent study credits in the minimum 30-credit program.
5. No more than ten (10) hours of 400-level courses may be counted toward the minimal 30-hour requirement, and they may not come from the major field.
6. Master's Thesis Preparation (XXX 699) credits may NOT be used to satisfy the 30-credit hour requirement.
7. Non-thesis Master's Examination (XXX 690) credits may NOT be used to satisfy the 30-credit hour requirement.
8. Non-Thesis Master's Continuous Registration (XXX 688 and XXX 689) credits may NOT be used to satisfy the 30-credit hour requirement.
9. At least 18 hours of the minimum 30 hours required for the Master's degree must be graduate credits earned while the student is enrolled in a graduate classification at NC State.
10. At least 18 hours of the 30 hour requirement may not have been, and may not be, used to satisfy degree requirements for another Master's degree at NC State.
11. No more than 18 of the 30-hour requirement may be used to satisfy degree requirements for another Master's degree program at NC State, unless the student did not complete the other program.
12. Students pursuing a Master's degree after having completed a doctoral degree at NC State must complete at least 18 graduate credit hours at NC State after enrollment in the Master's program.
13. The remaining 12 credit hours, or more depending on the requirements of the specific program, may be transferred from any of the sources or any combination thereof set forth below:

Transfer of Credits

1. Transfer of graduate credits earned at other universities. A course that was completed at another college or university may be considered for transfer to a Master's program provided that:
   
   
1. The course is classified as a graduate course.
2. It was completed while the student was in a graduate or post-baccalaureate classification.
3. Students cannot transfer courses into a Master’s program that were completed as part of a previous Master’s degree at another institution.
4. The grade in the course is "B" (3.00 on a 4.00 scale) or better.
5. The college or university is accredited by one of the following six U.S. regional accrediting agencies: the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, the New England Association of Colleges and Schools, the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, the Northwest Association of Colleges and Schools, or the Western Association of Colleges and Schools.
   
   Exceptions are allowed for transfer from international institutions if the department or program provides the Graduate School with adequate documentation that the course is relevant to the graduate degree comparable to the equivalent course at NC State, and that the course was taught by faculty who are qualified to teach at the Master's degree level.
   
   
2. Transfer of graduate credits earned while enrolled in an undergraduate program at NC State University. A course that was completed while the student was enrolled as an undergraduate at NC State University may be considered for transfer to a Master's program, provided that it is at the 400-level or higher, that the earned grade is "B" (3.00 on a 4.00 scale) or better, that it was not counted to fulfill undergraduate requirements, and that it is verified by the undergraduate coordinator and recommended by the Director of Graduate Programs (DGP) at the time of the student's enrollment in the Graduate School. No graduate credit will be allowed for a course completed in an undergraduate classification at another institution.

   (NOTE: Students admitted to the Accelerated Bachelor's/Master's program may use up to 12 hours of graduate credit to satisfy requirements for both the Bachelor's and the Master's degrees.)

3. Transfer of graduate credits earned while enrolled in a previous graduate degree program at NC State University. A graduate course that was completed while the student was enrolled in a previous graduate program at NC State University may be considered for transfer to a Master's program, provided that:
   
   
   1. the course was a 500- or 700-level course and that the grade is "B" (3.00 on a 4.00 scale) or better.
      
   2. Students cannot transfer courses into a Master’s program that was completed as part of a previous Master’s degree at another institution.
      
      
4. Transfer of Post-Baccalaureate Studies (PBS) graduate credits earned at NC State University. A graduate course that was completed while the student was enrolled in PBS status at NC State University may be considered for transfer to a Master's program provided that it is at the 500-level or higher and that the grade is "B" (3.00 on a 4.00 scale) or better. All PBS credits that are used to satisfy requirements of a specific Master's degree must be earned before the student is admitted to that degree program. A maximum of 12 credit hours taken while in PBS status may be transferred into a Master's degree program. See Section 2.3 for information on admission to PBS classification.

   If a student's graduate degree program is terminated, he/she cannot use courses taken in PBS status after termination for credit toward the same graduate degree program.

Submitting Transfer Credit for Graduate School Approval

When the graduate program submits the Plan of Graduate Work, the DGP submits a letter requesting that any transfer credit be accepted as part of the student's Master's program. An official transcript indicating the work to be transferred must accompany the letter.

E. Doctor of Philosophy and Doctor of Education

Doctoral students must demonstrate their ability to undertake scholarly research by writing a dissertation reporting the results of an original investigation, by passing a series of written and oral preliminary examinations in the field of specialization and related areas of knowledge, and by successfully defending the dissertation.

The following are requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy and Doctor of Education degree programs:

1. At least two (2) residence credit points secured in continuous semesters' residence as a graduate student at the University (see Section 3.15 for scale).
2. Doctoral degrees at North Carolina State University require a minimum of 72 graduate credit hours beyond the Bachelor's degree.
3. For a student who has a Master's degree from a university other than NC State, a maximum of 18 hours of relevant graduate credit from the Master's degree may be applied toward this minimum, upon the recommendation of the student's Graduate Advisory Committee. Therefore, the minimum credit-hour requirement in this case is 54 credit hours.
4. If a student completes a Master's degree at NC State and continues for a doctoral degree without a break in time, up to 36 credit hours taken while in Master's status may be used to meet minimum requirements for the doctoral degree. Students cannot take 400-level courses or lower as part of the credit-hour requirement.
5. A graduate course that was completed while the student was enrolled in PBS status at NC State University may be considered for transfer to a doctoral program provided that it is a 500- or 700-level course and that the grade is "B" (3.00 on a 4.00 scale) or better (see Section 2.3 for information on admission to PBS classification.)
6. Students who hold a Ph.D. are generally not admissible for a second Ph.D. unless a "special exception" is requested and granted (see Section 2.3 and Regulation 2.15.1).
7. A successful preliminary comprehensive examination (written and oral components)
8. A dissertation.
9. A successful final comprehensive oral examination (dissertation defense).

NOTE: Doctoral students must attain candidacy for the degree within six (6) calendar years. ALL degree requirements must be completed within ten (10) calendar years. For further information about the time limit for degrees, see Section 3.4.