Master's Degree: Performance Standards and Progress

Students are responsible for knowing all program requirements of their master’s program when they matriculate.

Programs must review the progress of each master’s student at least once per year. Students deemed not to be in good standing must be informed of the results of the review in writing, with a copy to the student’s advisor.

Master’s degree students must have an approved degree plan on file with their collegiate unit in order to defend the degree and/or apply for degree clearance. 

It is recommended that the degree plan be filed at least one term (fall or spring semester) before the intended term of the defense and/or application for degree clearance.

-Students intending to pursue a minor must declare the minor prior to the final examination. In master’s programs that do not include a final examination, students must declare the minor prior to filing for degree conferral.

-The degree plan must be centrally archived in the system of record.

Students are required to enroll every semester (fall and spring) from the time of matriculation until degree conferral except for cases with an approved Leave of Absence on the student’s record.

All requirements for the master’s degree must be completed and the degree awarded within five calendar years after initial enrollment in the graduate program or the more restrictive time frame specified by the program.

-Students who are unable to complete the degree within the time limits described above may, with the approval of their advisor/s and program DGS, petition the program and collegiate unit for one extension of up to 12 months. Students must submit the petition for an extension prior to the end of the term in which the time limit will expire.

-If a petition is approved, the student is notified in writing of the expectations for progress and of the expected timeline for completion and award of degree.

-If the petition is denied, the student is notified in writing that the student will be terminated from the graduate program upon expiration of the limit.

-Students who have been terminated under such circumstances may apply for readmission to the program; however, readmission is not guaranteed.

 7-year Time Limit for Earning the Master’s Degree (admitted and matriculated prior to spring 2013)

All requirements for the master’s degree must be completed and the degree awarded within seven years. The seven-year period begins with the earliest coursework included on the official Graduate Degree Plan form, including any transfer work. The graduate faculty in a specific program may set more stringent time requirements.

5-year Time Limit for Earning the Master’s Degree (admitted and matriculated spring 2013 and beyond)

All requirements for the master’s degree must be completed and the degree awarded within five years after admission and matriculation in the graduate program or a more restrictive time frame specified by the program.

To remain in good academic standing, students must meet the minimum GPA requirement specified by the graduate program or 2.800 (on a 4.000 scale), whichever is higher. Students who have filed a master’s degree plan must maintain a 3.0 GPA for courses included on the degree plan. Only courses with grades of A, B, C (including C-) and S may be counted toward the degree. Students who have not yet filed a degree plan should maintain an overall GPA of 3.0. 

Students who fall below the program's minimum GPA requirement may be terminated from the program.

Graduate courses on the Twin Cities campus have two main grading basis: A-F or S/N.

Grade point values:

• A = 4.000,

• A- = 3.667

• B+ = 3.333,

• B = 3.000

• B- = 2.667

• C+ = 2.333

• C = 2.000

• C- = 1.667

• D+ = 1.333

• D = 1.000

• F = 0.000

A minimum of 2/3 of the course credits included on a degree plan must be taken A/F.

A maximum  of 8 credits can be in common between two University master's level degrees.

A maximum of nine 4xxx level course credits may be used to satisfy MS degree requirements. 

Partial credits from a course are not accepted. 

If your 4xxx courses add up to 10 credits you will need to remove one course from your degree plan.