Graduate College
www.grad-college.iastate.edu/
David K. Holger, Dean
George A. Jackson, Assistant Dean
Carolyn Payne, Assistant Dean
Specific Master’s Degrees
The number of credits in a major for a master’s degree will vary according to the degrees listed below. 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 unless noted in descriptions; 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 a 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 credits of which must be earned from Iowa State University, 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 Courses and Programs section in this catalog.
Master of Accounting. The Department of Accounting offers a 30-credit Master of 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. 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.
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 coursework 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 semester credits of formal coursework and four credits of creative component experience, resulting in a total of 32 graduate credits of coursework. 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 Agriculture Coordinator, 201 Curtiss Hall.
Master of Architecture. The Department of Architecture offers three master programs: M Arch I, M Arch II and M S A S. M Arch I (100 credits) is a non-thesis accredited professional degree in architecture. Students with an undergraduate degree other than architecture enroll in a 100-credit, seven semester program. Students with a B.A. or B.S. in architecture or other affiliated design fields are considered for advanced standing based on a review of their academic record. Students with advanced standing typically enroll for four semesters. Since no final oral examination is required in the M Arch I program, 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 credits) is a post-professional degree in architecture with a required graduate thesis. Students with a B Arch, M Arch I or equivalent professional degree in architecture or other affiliated design fields may apply for this degree.
The M S A S (30 credits) is an interdisciplinary research degree in architecture with a required graduate thesis. This degree is for students with bachelor degrees in various fields that are interested in conducting graduate-level research on the built environment. At least 22 graduate credits must be earned at ISU for all the above programs.
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 for all the above options.
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 or thesis. 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 finanical planning, information systems, international business, marketing, and supply chain management.
Since no final oral examination is required, M.B.A. students 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. Of the minimum 30 graduate credits requirement, 22 graduate credit hours must be earned at ISU. For those Master of Engineering programs that do not require a final oral examination, 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.
Master of Family and Consumer Sciences. The College of Human 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 credits and is offered on-campus from the following departments and programs: Dietetics, Family Financial Planning, Foodservice and Lodging Management, Gerontology, Human Development and Family Studies, Nutritional Sciences, and Textiles and 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 a 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 credit hours must be earned at ISU.
