Requirements for the Degree

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Requirements for each of the degrees offered at the University of Arkansas are set by the individual programs as consistent with the policies of the Graduate Council and in accordance with the requirements of the Arkansas Department of Higher Education. The requirements of the Graduate School for each degree may be found in the Graduate Catalog Graduate School Catalog. ADHE requirements state that the minimum requirements for each degree are the following: the master’s degree will be awarded to students who complete a minimum of 30 semester credit hours beyond the bachelor’s degree that includes 50 percent graduate-only semester hours in the field of study. In general, the doctoral degree will be awarded to students who complete a minimum of 72 graduate semester credit hours beyond the bachelor’s degree; or 42 graduate-only semester hours beyond the master’s degree. The specialist degree will be awarded to students who complete a minimum of 30 graduate-only semester credit hours beyond the master’s degree. (Note: graduate-only semester hours are those for courses numbered 5000 or above.) As a result of these policies, at least 50% of the credits presented for the master’s degree must be above the 5000 level and all of the 30 hours presented for the specialist degree and all 42 credits presented for the doctoral degree must be above the 5000 level.