Iowa State University

Graduate College Handbook

Appendix E. Master’s Programs at Iowa State University

The number of credits in a major for a master's degree will vary according to the degrees offered. General credit requirements for all master's degrees include:

• a minimum of 30 graduate credits is required for all master's programs at ISU;
• at least 22 graduate credits must be earned at ISU;
• any transfer of graduate credits from another institution must be recommended in the program of study by the POS committee; and
• graduate credit earned as a graduate student will be approved for transfer only if an B grade or better was earned. A transcript must accompany the POS form.

Master of Arts or Master of Science—Thesis

At least 30 credits of acceptable graduate work must be completed, not less than 22 of which must be earned from ISU. Students are expected to research and write a thesis that demonstrates independent and creative work. A minimum of 3 semester credits is required for thesis research.

Master of Arts or Master of Science—Nonthesis

In certain programs a nonthesis degree program is offered. (For more information on requirements, contact the individual program or department.) This option requires the satisfactory completion of at least 30 graduate credit hours of acceptable work (not including research credit), not less than 22 of which must be earned from ISU, and satisfactory completion of a comprehensive final oral examination. In addition, every nonthesis master’s program must present substantial evidence of individual accomplishment (e.g., a special report, capstone course, integrated field experience, annotated bibliography, or other creative endeavor). A minimum of two semester hours of such independent work (referred to as the creative component) is required on every program of study for a nonthesis master’s degree and is applied toward the credit-hour requirement. This element of creative independent study must be explicitly identified on the program of study. Detailed requirements may vary with fields. Reference should be made to the program descriptions in the ISU Catalog.

Master of Accounting

The Department of Accounting offers a 30 graduate credit Master or Accounting graduate degree. The program requires 15 credits of graduate accounting courses, at least 9 credits of non-accounting graduate electives, a communications course, an international course from an approved list, and an optional creative component. At least 22 graduate credits must be earned at ISU. The degree is appropriate for any student wanting to pursue a variety of accounting careers. Additionally, the program is designed to help interested candidates meet the 150-hour education requirement for the CPA certification in Iowa. Graduate students who are not required to take a final oral examination should complete all required coursework on the POS prior to or during the term of graduation.  Any transfer credits must be completed the term before the graduation term and follow normal transfer rules.

Master of Agriculture

The major in professional agriculture is an off-campus, nonthesis program leading to the master of agriculture degree. It is available to students wishing to pursue graduate study in agriculture without taking formal course work on campus. The program is considered to be a terminal master’s degree. Students are required to take a minimum of two courses in each of three disciplines and complete 28 graduate semester credits of formal course work and 4 credits of creative component experience, resulting in a total of 32 graduate credits of course work. At least 22 graduate credits must be earned at ISU. Courses are delivered via video-tapes, interactive video, world-wide web, on-and off-campus classes and workshops. Specific courses offered in the program and the location of the off-campus classes may be obtained from the departmental course listings, off-campus course catalog, or by contacting the Professional Agricultural Coordinator, 201 Curtiss Hall.

Master of Architecture

The Department of Architecture offers a program leading to the master of architecture, a professional degree. The M.ARCH. I (100-credit) option is designed for individuals with an undergraduate degree other than architecture. Students explore a full range of architectural subjects through seminars, an intensive sequence of design studios, and thesis. One hundred credits are required, including 40 graduate credits. The M.ARCH. I (60-credit) option is for individuals with a preprofessional undergraduate major in architecture. Applicants are given advanced standing in the M.ARCH. (100) option based on a review of their academic record. Following the completion of the requisite professional courses the student is expected to develop an individualized course of study. Sixty credits are required, including 30 graduate credits.  At least 22 graduate credits must be earned at Iowa State University for either the 60- or 100-credit option.

Since no final oral examination is required in the above professional program and its options, students should complete all coursework on the POS prior to or during the term of graduation.  Any transfer credits must be completed the term before the graduation term and follow normal transfer rules.

The M.ARCH. II (30-credit) option is for students with a B.A. or B.S. in a 4-year degree program in architecture or a M.ARCH. I degree. These students must complete a thesis. At least 22 graduate credits must be earned at ISU.

Master of Arts in Teaching

This is a degree leading to teacher licensure. A range of graduate credits are required depending on the program offering the degree. The student must also demonstrate an ability to perform independent study through the completion of a creative component. At least 22 graduate credit hours must be earned at ISU.

Master of Business Administration

The College of Business offers a 48 graduate credit-hour program leading to a nonthesis master of business administration degree. At least 22 graduate credits must be earned at ISU. Students may select courses in the traditional business disciplines or choose areas of specialization in Accounting, Agribusiness, Family Financial Planning, Finance, Information Systems, International Business, Marketing, and Supply Chain Management. Graduate students who are not required to take a final oral examination should complete all required coursework on the POS prior to or during the term of graduation.  Any transfer credits must be completed the term before the graduation term and follow normal transfer rules.

Master of Community and Regional Planning

The master of community and regional planning degree requires a minimum of 48 graduate semester credit hours. At least 22 graduate credits must be earned at ISU. This degree is available as a thesis or nonthesis option.

Master of Education

For the master of education degree, a range of 30 to 40 graduate credits are required. At least 22 graduate credits must be earned at ISU. The student demonstrates an ability to perform independent study through the completion of a creative component or a field-based activity.

Master of Engineering

The academic standards and the general level of attainment are the same for the master of engineering and master of science degrees. Master of engineering programs are offered to meet the needs for professionally-oriented programs on campus and for off-campus professionally-oriented programs at locations with adequate library and laboratory facilities. An appropriate number of credit hours in design, laboratory work, computation, or independent study is required as evidence of individual accomplishment. At least 22 graduate credits must be earned at ISU.

Graduate students who are not required to take a final oral examination should complete all required coursework on the POS prior to or during the term of graduation.  Any transfer credits must be completed the term before the graduation term and follow normal transfer rules. (Only certain Master of Engineering programs have been officially approved to not have an oral examination. All other programs must conduct an oral examination.)

Master of Family and Consumer Sciences

The College of Family and Consumer Sciences offers two nonthesis options leading to the degree master of family and consumer sciences. Both options are designed to enhance the skills of those holding the bachelor’s degree so that they may meet the requirements of their present jobs or progress in their careers. The comprehensive option can be followed on or off campus and requires 36 graduate credits covering a variety of family and consumer sciences subject matter. The specialization option requires 36 graduate credits and is offered on campus with the following specializations: Dietetics, Family Financial Planning, Foodservice and Hospitality Mgmt., Gerontology, Human Development & Family Studies, Nutritional Sciences, textiles & Clothing. At least 22 graduate credits must be earned at ISU. Both options require a written and oral integrative final exam.

Master of Fine Arts

For this degree a minimum of 54-61 graduate credits is required, including the completion of a thesis-exhibition or a thesis. At least 22 graduate credits must be earned at ISU.

Master of Landscape Architecture

The master of landscape architecture degree requires a minimum of 36 graduate credits and the satisfactory completion of a thesis or creative component. At least 22 graduate credits must be earned at ISU.

Master of Public Administration

This is a professional degree program designed to provide training necessary for an administrator in a public or quasi-public bureaucracy. The MPA degree requires 37 graduate credit hours, which includes (a) 12 credit hours in Core Competency, (b) 12 credit hours in one of the Concentration areas, (c) 4 credit hours in other required courses, (d) up to 7 credit hours of electives, (e) 3 credit hours of Creative Component (a Capstone Project) or a minimum of 3 credit hours of research (thesis). Pre-service students are encouraged to obtain an internship for 3 credit hours. At least 22 graduate credits must be earned at ISU.

Master of School Mathematics

This degree is designed primarily for in-service secondary mathematics teachers. Its prescribed program of study requires 33 graduate credits, two of which come from the writing of an approved creative component, 15 from courses offered for graduate credit, and 13 from courses offered for nonmajor graduate credit. At least 22 graduate credits must be earned at ISU.

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