Master's Degree

4.1 Objective of the Master's Program

All master's programs require candidates to prepare a thesis, complete a special problem or pass a comprehensive exam. The thesis is a scholarly study, which makes a significant contribution to the knowledge of the chosen discipline. To successfully complete a master's degree program, candidates must satisfactorily demonstrate to the Graduate School faculty that they can carry on a critical dialogue, integrating and interpreting material in their major and supporting fields.

4.2 Master's Committee

4.2.1 Committee Chair

During the first semester or summer session of enrollment, the chair of the major department or program should, in conjunction with the student, appoint an advisor to serve as chair of the student’s master’s committee. The chair must be permanent tenure-track faculty and hold a degree of comparable level to the degree sought by the candidate; by special action, the Graduate School may make individual exceptions on the basis of adequate justification.

4.2.2 Committee Members

The master’s committee is nominated on the Master’s Program of Study. For both thesis and non-thesis programs, a master’s committee should include at least three faculty members who hold a degree equivalent to the degree being sought.

4.2.3 Committee Changes

Once the Program of Study has been filed with the Graduate School, changes may be made to the committee composition by completing the committee change form.

4.3 Master's Program of Study

The student’s advisor, in consult with suggested committee members, should help the student develop his or her proposed program of study, which is then submitted to the chair of the major department/program. It is the chair’s responsibility to assure that the program meets the minimum requirements of the respective program, department, and Graduate School. The chair will submit the program to the Dean of the Graduate School for approval to assure that the program meets the minimum requirements.

A master's candidate's Program of Study should be submitted on forms provided by the Graduate School as soon as possible, but no later than the beginning of the semester preceding the anticipated semester of graduation (e.g., if the anticipated graduation is in spring, the program of study is due no later than the beginning of the preceding fall semester).

The following master’s program requirements represent the minimum Graduate School requirements; individual departments/programs may have additional requirements. All work taken by graduate students need not appear on their programs. A complete description of the program requirements for each degree is given in the Graduate Catalog.

4.3.1 Graduate School Course Requirements for a Non-Thesis Master's Degree

• 30 hours minimum of total credit
• 26 hours minimum of graded course work
• 17 hours minimum of graded course work at the 500-level
• 4 hours minimum of 702
• 9 hours maximum of non-graduate (300-400 level) graded course work credit

4.3.2 Graduate School Course Requirements for a Thesis Master's Degree

• 30 hours minimum of total credit
• 21 hours minimum of graded course work
• 15 hours minimum of graded course work at the 500-level
• 4 hours minimum of 700-level credit in major
• 6 hours maximum of non-graduate 300 and 400 level graded course work

4.3.3 General Course Requirements

1. Seminars approved for graduate credit number 500 or above which are graded other than P/F or S/F may be part of the master’s program
2. Any course graded S/F or P/F may not be used as graded course work.
3. Any course listed on the student’s “Program of Study” in which a grade of “C-” or below is earned must be repeated for graded credit.
4. Graduate courses are those listed in the Graduate Catalog or have been approved for graduate credit since publication of the last Catalog.

Once approved, the Master's Program of Study becomes the basis of the requirements for the degree. Subsequent alterations are made by submission of a Change of Program Form with the endorsement of the master's committee and the approval of the chair of the major department/program and the Dean of the Graduate School.

4.3.4 Course Time Limits

The time limit for use of graduate credit toward a master’s degree is six years from the beginning date of the earliest course applied toward the degree. The Graduate School recognizes some programs located at the extended campuses are designed for the part-time student and can be expected to require a longer completion period. As appropriate, departments may request an extension of this time limit. (see 6.4 for Extension Procedures)

The time limit for use of graduate credit toward a master’s degree is six years from the beginning date of the earliest course applied toward the degree. The Graduate School recognizes some programs located at the extended campuses are designed for the part-time student and can be expected to require a longer completion period. As appropriate, departments may request an extension of this time limit. (see 6.4 for Extension Procedures)

4.4 Master's Thesis or Special Problem

The thesis is a scholarly, original study that is a significant contribution to the knowledge of the chosen discipline.

The master’s degree candidate’s committee members must read and return drafts of theses to the student within a reasonable period of time. The Graduate Studies Committee recommends that committee members hold drafts for no longer than 30 days.

Prior approval for use of human subjects or animals in research is required. If the student plans to utilize human or animal subjects for research, please contact either the Office of Grant and Research Development or the Laboratory Animal Resources Center. Please note that departments/programs should ensure that all procedures have been followed and forms filed with the appropriate offices; they can also determine the appropriateness of such narrative within the dissertation. The Graduate School only seeks verification that University approval has been granted.

No material in the thesis or special problem submitted to fulfill the requirements of a degree may be restricted in any way; the dissertation must be made available through the Washington State Libraries and University Microfilms for inspection by any interested parties.

Following a passed oral examination, the 100% rag bond thesis and one copy of the thesis must be signed in black ink by all committee members and returned to the Graduate School within five working days for final acceptance. When theses are electronically submitted to the Graduate School, paper copies of the title page, abstract and signature pages are still required. Specific steps for final acceptance are included in the Thesis Acceptance/Final Examination scheduling form packet.

4.5 Final Master's Examination

A final examination is required of all master’s candidates. This examination is intended to test the candidate’s ability to carry out a critical dialogue integrating and interpreting material in the major and supporting fields with emphasis on the work presented in the thesis or special problem.

The student must have completed or be enrolled in all the required course work and be registered for a minimum of two credits of 700 or 702 for the semester or summer session in which the final examination is to be taken. The scheduling form must be submitted to the Graduate School 10 or more working days prior to the anticipated examination. The candidate must present a typed draft copy of the thesis, complete in format, with the scheduling form. The Application for Degree form must be submitted to the Graduate School and the graduation fee must be paid by the time the final exam is scheduled.

Examinations are to be held in an academic environment. All faculty wishing to vote must be in attendance during all of the examination. If a faculty member wishing to vote must leave the room during the examination, the examination is to be recessed until said member returns. Final examinations shall be held during regular working hours either on the Pullman or branch campus, or by videoconference over WHETS. Examinations will be held only during academic sessions. Exceptions to this policy will be made by the Dean of the Graduate School only under unusual circumstances.

Final examinations for thesis master’s students are public. All faculty members, regardless of discipline, are encouraged to attend. The examining committee shall include the members of the master’s committee, whose chair presides, and any other member of the faculty in attendance. A member of the student’s Committee will be appointed by the Graduate School to serve as the Graduate School liaison regarding balloting, etc. Although any member of the public at large may attend a final examination, only faculty members may ask questions and vote. All members of the master’s committee must attend and vote. The Graduate School liaison will return all ballots and paperwork to the Graduate School.

Under extraordinary circumstances, on the recommendation of the student's committee and upon the advice of the Graduate Studies Committee, the Dean of the Graduate School may approve alternate arrangements. A copy of the examinee's thesis must be available for public inspection in the department/program offices for at least five working days prior to the final examination. Copies must also be furnished to members of the master's degree candidate's committee at least five working days before the final examination. In the case of a non-thesis degree, a written presentation will be offered at the discretion of the committee chair.

The master’s degree candidate’s committee is responsible for approving all aspects of the final thesis before students may schedule the final examination. When committee members sign the Thesis Acceptance/Final Examination scheduling form, they indicate that a typed thesis, suitable in format for submission to the Library, has been given their approval. They also indicate their acceptance of the date, time, and place of the final examination.

The examination is normally one hour in duration and is limited to one-and-one-half hours.

The candidate shall “pass” if the number of affirmative votes is equal to or greater than the minimum listed in Table 2. In the event of a failed examination, a second and final attempt may be scheduled at the request of the major department/program after a lapse of at least three months.

Table 2: Final Master's Exam

4.6 Second Master's Degree

Up to 12 hours of graduate credit that have been applied toward a master’s degree at Washington State University may be applied toward a second master’s degree. Such credit will be granted only for graded course work earned at Washington State University and completed with a grade of “B” or higher. Application of such credit toward a student’s program for a second master’s degree is subject to departmental recommendation and approval by the Graduate School. No credit in 600- and higher-level courses completed before fulfillment of all requirements for the first master’s degree may be applied toward a second master’s degree program. The second master’s degree may not be awarded during the same semester or summer session that the first master’s degree is awarded.