Graduate Programs

Graduate Major

A major in the Graduate College is the area of academic professional concentration, approved by the Board of Regents, in which the student chooses to qualify for the award of a graduate degree.

Graduate Area of Specialization

Areas of specialization are indicated in the graduate statements of some departments. This is a subdivision of a major in which a strong graduate-level program is available. When approved by the Graduate College, such areas of specialization are shown parenthetically after the major on official records, including transcripts and thesis/dissertation title pages.

Interdepartmental Programs

Interdepartmental programs are available at both graduate and undergraduate levels. An interdepartmental program is an administrative structure usually not functioning as a department, ordinarily headed by a supervisory committee, and offering a degree with major(s) in that subject area. Interdepartmental programs have been officially approved and may offer courses.

Nonmajor Graduate Credit

All courses included on the Program of Study of a graduate student must be approved by the student’s program of study committee. Usually courses in the major are selected from 500- and 600- level courses in the major. Courses outside of the major can be selected from other 500- and 600- level courses and from 300- and 400- level courses which have been approved for nonmajor graduate credit. In the catalog, the approved 300- and 400- level courses are indicated by the words “Nonmajor graduate credit” in the course description.