The Graduate School’s minimum graduate residence credit requirement for graduation can be satisfied only with courses numbered 300 and above taken as a graduate student at UW–Madison (this includes but is not limited to online, thesis/research, independent study, practicum/internship credits).
The graduate residence credit minimums are:
Master’s degree: 16 credits (except MFA)
MFA/Specialist degree and certificate: 24 credits (may include master’s degree credits taken at UW–Madison)
Doctoral degree: 32 credits (must be completed prior to achieving dissertator status; may include master’s degree credits taken at UW–Madison)
In rare circumstances, courses taken as a university special student may be allowed to count toward the minimum graduate residence credit requirement. These credits generally are not allowed to count toward the 50% graduate coursework minimum.
Credits applied to the minimum graduate residence credit requirement must be earned while enrolled as a graduate student at UW–Madison and can also count toward the minimum graduate degree credit requirement.
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.
