Master’s Degrees

SJSU offers a variety of master’s degrees which can be located in the SJSU catalog. Two of the most common degrees include:

• The Master of Arts (M.A.) degree generally develops expertise in the areas of the arts and humanities

• The Master of Science (M.S.) degree generally develops expertise in the areas of science and engineering

Additionally, there are a number of specialized Master's degrees:

• The Master of Archives and Records Administration (M.A.R.A) degree allows students to learn to use sophisticated technology to organize, preserve, and allow access to the increasing volume of digital and analog information in the area of records management, corporate archives and information governance.

• The Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) degree provides a professional program to prepare graduates for management positions in business and industry.

• The Master of Biotechnology (M.B.T.) degree integrates advanced, hands on scientific training with graduate level business courses. Skilled graduates find opportunities in the biotechnology sector.

• The Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.) degree provides specialized training and education for artists and designers in the arts and photography.

• The Master of Library and Information Science (M.L.I.S.) degree prepares students for careers as information specialists in such fields as electronics records management, librarianship, and digital asset management.

• The Master of Public Administration (M.P.A.) degree provides a professional program to prepare graduates with the skills and knowledge needed for effective administration of local, state, and federal government agencies.

• The Master of Public Health (M.P.H.) degree provides a professional program designed to train students to effectively protect and improve the health of a given community through economic, social, and environmental outreach.

• The Master of Social Work (M.S.W.) degree provides a professional program designed to allow graduates to be able to provide counseling and other professional services to families, organizations, and communities in the medical, educational, and mental health fields.

• The Master of Urban Planning (M.U.P) degree prepares students to work within formal and informal institutions to solve problems related to affordable housing, climate change, economic development, environmental protection, public health, and transportation.

More information regarding program advisors and departmental information can be found here.

Finally, the Interdisciplinary Studies Master of Arts or Master of Science degree is a program for students whose professional or academic objectives are unique and cannot be met by other SJSU Master’s degree offerings. This individualized program allows the student to work with an advisor to develop an individualized course of study and satisfactory culminating experience that spans at least two different program departments to provide a unique and specialized degree. See the Interdisciplinary Studies Section on the College of Graduate Studies website for more information.

Post-graduate Credentials and Advanced Certificates

While most students are familiar with post-graduate work (i.e coursework taken after earning a bachelor's degree) such as the master’s or doctoral degree, certificates and credentials often serve a different purpose and are not terminal degrees. At SJSU, advanced certificates typically require possession of a bachelor's degree and consist of a smaller unit load of related courses (between 9-18 units). Certificates document that the awardee has achieved a level of competence in a defined subject area and provide students with specialized skills or knowledge to allow them to enter specific fields within a discipline. In general, certificate programs educate individuals about one particular aspect of their field and supplement an individual’s prior education.

In contrast, our SJSU credentials can be defined as a verification of an individual’s qualification or competence in a given subject and are issued by a third party with a designated authority to issue credentials. Credentialed students must demonstrate that they are competent, properly trained, and equipped to carry out their duties. To sit for a credential exam, a student must possess certain requirements which may be didactic, practical training and/or work experience. In many cases, credentials must be periodically renewed through continuing education. San Jose State offers several certificates and credentials which can be found in our catalog.

Doctoral Degrees

SJSU currently offers three doctoral degrees:

• Doctor of Audiology (Au.D.): Offered by the Department of Audiology in the College of Health and Human Sciences, this health professional program focuses on hearing and balance mechanisms through the clinical identification, diagnosis, and treatment of patients with hearing and balance disorders. Visit the catalog for more information regarding admissions and program requirements.

• Educational Leadership (Ed.D.): Offered through the Ed.D. Leadership Program in the Connie L. Lurie College of Education, this program seeks to develop education leaders who will create learning communities that promote collaboration and shared decision making. Visit the catalog for more information regarding admissions and program requirements.

• Doctor of Nursing Practice (D.N.P.): Offered by The Valley Foundation School of Nursing in the College of Health and Human Sciences, this healthcare-based program prepares nurses to serve as clinical faculty in nursing education programs and prepare them to advance evidence-based practice in patient care. Visit the catalog for more information regarding admissions and program requirements.

Due to the specialized nature and requirements of our doctoral degrees, please visit the department and appropriate graduate advisor for more information regarding our programs.