Masters Program
Steps to program completion
Research advisors and registration advisors
Graduate students in the masters program are each assigned a research advisor immediately after admission. Research advisors strive to provide course counseling that reflects the individual aspirations, career choices and scholastic ability of their students. However, graduate students with academic backgrounds outside the fields of Information or Computer Science, as well as other students not prepared to decide on a research focus immediately after admission, may, at their discretion, ask to be assigned a registration advisor instead of a research advisor. While respecting the independence of each of the students to whom they are assigned, registration advisors strive to provide guidance and advice in the selection of research subjects and courses for completion of degree requirements. Students assigned a registration advisor go on to select a research advisor by a predetermined date during the second semester of their first year.
Research laboratory placement
Each graduate degree student is placed in a research laboratory as determined by his or her faculty research advisor. Until the research advisor makes a decision on final placement, students are assigned to the laboratory headed by their advisor at the time of registration.
Selection of topic for graduate thesis
Acting with their research advisor's consent, graduate degree students submit their planned research topics to the Graduate School Faculty Assembly by a designated date in April of their second year.
Graduate thesis review
Students scheduled to complete the primary stage of a doctoral program must have their thesis reviewed in accordance with terms and conditions set by a Thesis Committee. After the review by the Thesis Committee, the thesis must be approved by Graduate School Faculty Assembly.
Conditions for completion of the masters program
Requirements for completion of the masters program
To complete the masters program, candidates must be enrolled in graduate school at least two years, earn at least 30 credits, receive necessary instruction in their research, submit a masters thesis, have that thesis approved, and pass their masters examination. However, with regard to the enrollment requirement, candidates recognized by the Graduate School Faculty Assembly for their outstanding research accomplishments may be allowed to complete the masters program after enrollment of only one year.
Degree conferral
Candidates who complete the masters program are awarded a masters degree.