The Graduate School sets minimum standards that must be met by all graduate students in the university. Continuation in the Graduate School is at the discretion of the major department, the Graduate School, and the major professor. The table of Graduate School Minimum Degree Requirements includes the minimum graduate-level credits required for each type of degree program.
The requirements of most departments and programs exceed the Graduate School minimum criteria. These additional requirements, referred to as Criteria for Satisfactory Progress, are described in each field of study entry in this catalog. Students are responsible for obtaining specific degree requirements from the department or program. Many departments publish a graduate student handbook, which provides details about graduate study, admissions criteria, faculty interests, and the curriculum.