Minimum Graduate Degree Credit Requirement

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Policy Number:
UW-1245
Responsible Office:
Graduate School

University Policy

Rationale/​Purpose:

The Graduate School’s minimum graduate degree credit requirement is a degree requirement instituted by the Graduate Faculty Executive Committee to ensure that a graduate degree meets institution accreditation standards (this includes but is not limited to online, thesis/research, independent study, and practicum internships credits).

Scope:

Graduate Students

Policy:
  1. Graduate degree credit minimums are:
    1. Master’s degree: 30 credits
      (except MFA)

    2. MFA/Specialist degree and certificate: 42 credits
      (may include master’s degree credits taken at UW–Madison)

    3. Doctoral degree: 51 credits
      (may include master’s degree credits taken at UW–Madison and credits taken while a dissertator)
  2. The doctoral degree minimum graduate degree credit requirement may be achieved with credits earned before or after dissertator status. The credits applied towards a master’s degree, a doctoral minor, or taken as a dissertator will count towards the related doctoral graduate degree credit requirement.
  3. Students should be aware that some programs may require more rigorous credit requirements than the Graduate School’s minimum requirements. Students should contact their graduate program coordinator for further information.
Related UW-Madison Policies:

Policy Administration

Approval Authority:
Dean of the Graduate School
Policy Manager:
Director, Academic Services, Graduate School
Contact:
Director, Academic Services, Graduate School -- Kipp Cox, ervin.cox@wisc.edu, (608) 262-2433
Retrieved:
07-07-2022 00:01:37