MASTER'S DEGREES

The degree of Master of Arts (M.A.) is conferred for graduate work of which the major portion has been done in the liberal arts.

The degree of Master of Science (M.S.) is conferred for graduate work of which the major portion has been done in agriculture, engineering, kinesiology, health science, counseling, rehabilitation, home economics, biological and physical sciences, statistics, and communication disorders.

The degree of Master of Accountancy (M.Acc.) is conferred upon a student who completes an approved program of graduate studies in accounting.

The degree of Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) is conferred upon a student whose major work is in the field of business.

The degree of Master of Education (M.Ed.) is conferred upon a student who majors in the field of education.

The degree of Master of Music (M.M.) is conferred upon a student who completes an approved program of graduate studies in music.

The Master of Nursing Science (M.N.Sc.) is conferred upon a student who completes an approved program of graduate studies in nursing.

The Master of Public Administration (M.P.A.) is conferred upon a student who completes an approved program of graduate studies in the field of public administration.

The degree of Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.) in art, creative writing, drama, or translation is conferred upon a student who completes an approved two-year program of graduate studies in these areas.

MASTER OF ARTS, MASTER OF SCIENCE

General minimum requirements of the Graduate School for the degrees of Master of Arts, Master of Science, including the several engineering degrees, follow:

1) 24 semester hours and a thesis, or 30 semester hours without a thesis. (The thesis may be a departmental requirement or may be required by the major adviser.)

2) A comprehensive examination.

3) A cumulative grade average of 2.85. (Individual departments may have higher grade standards.)

4) A minimum residence of 30 weeks. (See Residence Requirements.)

Departments may require higher grade standards and other requirements.

Program of Study

At the time of admission to the Graduate School and acceptance in a program of study leading to a graduate degree, the student is assigned to a major adviser who becomes the adviser throughout the program of study and chairman of the student's graduate advisory committee. The choice of a major adviser is largely determined by the student's choice of a major subject.

The program of study may consist of courses chosen from one department or it may include such cognate courses from other departments as may in individual instances seem to offer greatest immediate and permanent values. As a general principle, two-thirds of the courses come from the degree program in which the student is seeking a graduate degree.

A student who writes a master's thesis must register for a minimum of six semester hours of master's thesis. No more than six semester hours of master's thesis enrollment may be given credit in the degree program.

Under ordinary circumstances graduate registration is limited to 18 hours for any one semester including undergraduate courses and courses audited.

All requirements for a master's degree must be satisfied within six consecutive calendar years.

Admission to Candidacy

To be admitted to candidacy for a degree, students must have been unconditionally admitted to graduate standing, and must have been approved by the major adviser and the Dean of the Graduate School for their particular degree program. The minimum prerequisite is 12 semester hours of graduate credit over and above any entrance deficiencies or conditions.

Transfer of Credit

The University of Arkansas will permit a student to transfer six hours of graduate credit from an accredited graduate school in the United States, provided that the grades are "B" or better and the subjects are acceptable to the department concerned, as a part of the master's program. (The transfer of graduate credit from institutions outside the United States is not permitted.) This does not, however, reduce the minimum requirement of 30 weeks of residence for the master's degree as set by State law. Students contemplating transfer of credit should consult with the Graduate School Office in advance.

Residence Requirements

The candidate must be in residence a minimum of 30 weeks. A total of 12 weeks of residence may be accredited from University of Arkansas off-campus graduate courses (restriction does not apply to graduate degree programs offered through the Graduate Residence Centers, see page 17) or for work done in off-campus classes held in Fayetteville. Acceptance of transferred credit does not reduce the minimum residence requirement of 30 weeks.

A student who completes less than 10 semester hours of course work in a semester receives credit for a week of residence for each hour of course credit completed.

Thesis

The title of the thesis must be recommended by the thesis director and the thesis committee and be approved by the Dean of the Graduate School at least three months before the date of the comprehensive examination. The thesis must be submitted for approval to the thesis committee consisting of a minimum of three faculty members who have been approved by the Dean of the Graduate School. This committee must receive the thesis at least three weeks prior to the comprehensive examination which is to be completed at least one week before the degree is to be conferred.

Upon acceptance of the thesis by the thesis committee and at least one week before graduation, two typewritten copies of the unbound thesis in prescribed form must be delivered to the Graduate Dean for approval before it is deposited in the Mullins Library. All copies of the thesis must include original signatures of the student's thesis committee of record as approved and filed in the Graduate Dean's Office. Signatures of persons other than those of the official thesis director and members of the thesis committee are unacceptable.

Comprehensive Examination

In addition to completing other requirements, the candidate for a master's degree must take a comprehensive examination which may be oral and/or written as recommended by the major department.

Grade-Point Average

In order to receive a master's degree, a candidate must present a minimum cumulative grade-point average of 2.85 on all graduate courses required for the degree. Failing to earn such an average on the minimum number of hours, the student is permitted to present up to six additional hours of graduate credit in order to accumulate a grade-point average of 2.85. In the computation of grade point, all courses pursued at this institution for graduate credit that are part of the degree program (including any repeated courses) and the thesis (if offered) shall be considered. Students who repeat a course in an endeavor to raise their grade must count the repetition toward the maximum of six additional hours. Individual departments may have higher grade standards.

MASTER OF ACCOUNTANCY

The Master of Accountancy (M.Acc.) is offered as professional preparation for various accounting careers. Students must have the appropriate background and complete 30 semester hours of course work beyond the baccalaureate degree, 21 semester hours of which must be in courses reserved exclusively for graduate students. Students without an adequate academic background in mathematics, accounting, information systems and business will need to additionally complete designated deficiency courses. All requirements of the M.Acc. must be satisfied within six consecutive calendar years. The student must be in residence a minimum of 30 weeks (see residency requirements of the Master of Arts/Master of Science).

A cumulative grade-point average of 3.00 is required on graduate work taken for the degree and for all accounting courses, both undergraduate and graduate, taken for the degree. At least 75 percent of the graduate hours submitted for the degree must carry grades of "B" or better.

A student may transfer to the M.Acc. not more than six hours of graduate level credit from an AACSB-accredited graduate program, provided that each course has a grade of "B" or better and the courses are acceptable to the departmental M.Acc. Committee. Students must, however, take specifically required graduate-level accounting courses in residence. Students contemplating transfer of credit should consult in advance with both the M.Acc. Advisor and the Graduate School.

For further information, write to the Associate Dean for Graduate Studies, College of Business Administration, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701.

MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION

The Master of Business Administration program is accredited by the American Association of Collegiate Schools of Business.

The program is designed as a two-year degree, although students who have completed a bachelor's degree in Business Administration and who have had sufficient instruction in accounting, economics, statistics, business law, finance, marketing, and management can normally complete the program within one year. The final 30 hours of the M.B.A. is a set core of 21 hours covering the areas of accounting, economics, finance, marketing, management, and computer information systems and quantitative analysis (CISQ); and nine hours of approved electives.

A grade-point average of 3.00, with at least 75 percent "B" or better grades on all graduate work taken for credit on the M.B.A., is required for continuation in the program and for graduation. The degree is a non-thesis program. Satisfactory completion of the prescribed course work fulfills the degree requirements.

The student must be in residence a minimum of 30 weeks. (See residence requirements for Master of Arts and Master of Science degrees.)

For specific admission requirements in addition to general admission requirements for the Master of Business Administration program, write to the Associate Dean for Graduate Studies, College of Business Administration, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville.

All requirements for a master's degree must be satisfied within six consecutive calendar years.

MASTER OF EDUCATION

The degree of Master of Education (M.Ed.) is offered with areas of concentration in adult education, education, educational administration, educational technology, elementary education, higher education, music education, physical education, recreation, secondary education, special education, and vocational education. The degree of Master of Science (M.S.) is offered in counseling, health science, kinesiology, rehabilitation, and speech pathology-audiology.

General minimum requirements for the degree of Master of Education (M.Ed.) follow:

1) 27 semester hours and a thesis or 33 semester hours without a thesis.

2) A written comprehensive examination.

3) A cumulative grade-point average of 3.00.

4) A minimum residence of 30 weeks.

After a student has been admitted to the Graduate School, the student may seek acceptance into one of the several program areas of concentration offered in the Master of Education program. Procedures and forms facilitating this process may be obtained from the Office for Research and Graduate Studies, (GE 214), College of Education. Upon acceptance to a program area, the student is assigned an adviser. Acceptance in a program area should be accomplished before the completion of the first graduate course. Most programs require students admitted to the master's degree program to take the Graduate Record Examinations, the Miller Analogies Test, or the National Teachers Examination. This should be accomplished prior to completion of 15 hours of graduate credit.

All Master of Education degree programs include a minimum of 33 semester hours. Nine semester hours of basic courses will be selected from three of the following five areas: history or philosophy of education, educational research, psychological foundations, instructional resources, or principles of guidance. The above nine-hour core applies for all Master of Education programs except in those options geared toward non-school populations in which a modified core has been approved. Students who are not eligible for a standard teaching certificate will be expected to complete additional work to fulfill this requirement in addition to the 33-hour graduate program. An exception to this policy is made for students who declare they are not preparing for a school position and will not seek a certificate required of professional employees in public schools.

Admission to Candidacy

Admission to candidacy will be met when the following have been completed:

1) unconditionally admitted to graduate standing.

2) accepted to a program area and assigned an adviser.

3) completion of 12 semester hours of graduate credit over and above any entrance deficiencies or conditions.

Transfer of Credit

Transfer of credit regulations which have been established by the Graduate School for the Master of Arts and Master of Science degree apply to the Master of Education degree. (See page 23.) All credit earned at the Fort Smith Graduate Resident Center is applicable on the Master of Education degree program provided it is a part of the student's approved program of study. (See also twelve-hour graduate centers on page 17.) All credit earned at the Little Rock Graduate Resident Center is applicable to the Master of Science degree in rehabilitation. All credit earned at Pine Bluff Resident Center is applicable to the Master of Education degree and the Educational Specialist degree in education with a specialization in adult education, educational administration, or vocational education.

Residence Requirements

The candidate must be in residence a minimum of 30 weeks. A total of 12 weeks of residence or 12 semester hours of approved study may be accepted for residence credit from the University of Arkansas off-campus graduate courses. Acceptance of transferred credit does not reduce the minimum residence requirement of 30 weeks.

Graduate courses completed, but not applicable to the requirements for the master's degree the student is pursuing, will not be accepted as part of the 30-week residence required for that degree. A student who completes less than 10 semester hours of course work in a regular session, or less than six semester hours in a six-week summer session, receives credit for a week of residence for each hour of course credit completed.

All requirements for a master's degree must be satisfied within six consecutive calendar years.

Other Requirements

Students who do not have a grade-point average of 3.00 upon completion of Master of Education program requirements may be allowed to submit up to six additional hours of graduate credit in residence on the Fayetteville campus or at approved Graduate Resident Centers in order to accumulate a 3.00 average.

The policies and procedures approved for the Master of Arts and Master of Science degrees also apply to the Master of Education degree. In addition to completing other requirements, the candidate must pass a comprehensive examination administered by the respective program area.

MASTER OF FINE ARTS DEGREE (IN ART)

The objective of the program of study leading to the degree of Master of Fine Arts in art shall be professional achievement of high order, a knowledge of art history and criticism, the development of a fundamental grasp and understanding of the professional field of art and its relationship to supporting fields of knowledge, as well as the satisfactory completion of course work and other degree requirements. The program of study will vary depending upon the art medium areas selected for the creative work and the goals of the individual graduate student. The Master of Fine Arts degree in art is considered to be the terminal degree in studio art and is awarded in recognition of professional development in the visual arts as evidenced by a period of successful post-bachelor's degree study. The M.F.A. degree is recognized as preparatory to studio art teaching positions at institutions of higher education.

Application for Admission

In addition to the application for admission to Graduate School, the applicant must also submit to the Department of Art all transcripts of college work, letters of reference, a portfolio of creative works, and an application form obtained from the department.

The applicant for the Master of Fine Arts degree in art is expected to have earned the Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Fine Arts degree or its equivalent, with a major concentration in visual art. Applicants who do not have an art major may present evidence of proficiency in creative work in the visual arts.

After admission to the Graduate School and acceptance by the Department of Art, the graduate student will be appointed an adviser by the department chairperson to work with the student in planning a suitable program of advanced study. The student's work and progress in the program will be reviewed by the art faculty at least twice each year.

Residence Requirements

To meet the residency requirements the student is required to complete a minimum of 60 semester hours of graduate credit and study in residence for a minimum of four regular semesters (not to include summer terms) on the Fayetteville campus. All degree requirements must be completed within six consecutive calendar years from the date of first enrollment. With approval of the department chairperson and the Graduate School, up to six credit hours of graduate level work in studio art or art history may be transferred from another recognized graduate school and applied to degree requirements.

Candidacy Application and Review

After completion of two semesters in the M.F.A. degree program the student may make application to be a candidate for completion of the M.F.A. degree. The art faculty will conduct a formal review of the applicant's work and progress in the program. At least two regular semesters of residence must be completed after acceptance as a degree candidate.

Graduate Committee and Major Adviser

When the student has been accepted as a degree candidate, the student will select a major adviser from the graduate art faculty. The major adviser will serve as adviser to the student in planning the completion of the program of study. At least one semester before graduation, a four- or five-member committee of graduate art faculty will be selected. The student's major adviser will be chairperson of this committee and one member of the graduate committee will represent the art history or criticism area. One additional committee member from a discipline outside the Department of Art may be selected by the degree candidate.

Final Examination

Final approval for the completion of the M.F.A. degree will be the responsibility of the candidate's graduate committee, and will require an oral examination over the candidate's thesis and/or exhibition of creative works and related aspects of the student's program of study.

MASTER OF FINE ARTS (IN CREATIVE WRITING)

The program leading to the degree of Master of Fine Arts in creative writing provides graduate-level training in creative writing and in the study of literature. A description of the program follows:

Required Courses

A minimum of 42 hours for a candidate with an M.A. degree in English or of 60 hours for a candidate with no M.A. Candidates with a B.A. degree which does not include a major in English may be required to take additional courses.

1) Writing and Theory Courses

a. Writing Workshop (15 to 24 semester hours)

b. Form and Theory of Fiction or Poetry (9 hours) total: 6 hours in student's genre; 3 hours in second genre)

c. Contemporary Fiction and Poetry (6 hours in student's genre; 3 hours in second genre)

d. Readings in Modern or Contemporary Literature (6 hours)

2) Additional Courses

Twelve to 24 hours of English at the advanced level.

Comprehensive Examination

A six-hour written examination covering critical terms, theories, and readings in the candidate's genre.

Thesis

An M.F.A. thesis may be either a collection of poems or stories, a novel, or a drama. It should be of the quality of those works currently published by national magazines, by literary journals, and by legitimate book publishers. The degree will be withheld from any student failing to produce a suitable body of work.

Three hours of credit may be given for a thesis, or six hours of credit to a candidate who has 21 hours of workshop or less.

Final Examination

A two-hour oral examination on the thesis.

All students working toward the degree will plan their specific programs in consultation with their advisers.

All degree requirements must be completed within six consecutive calendar years from the date of first enrollment.

Through an agreement with the Academic Common Market, residents of certain Southern states may qualify for graduate enrollment in creative writing as in-state students for fee purposes. (See page 302 for details.)

MASTER OF FINE ARTS (IN DRAMA)

See Drama, page 93.

MASTER OF FINE ARTS DEGREE (IN TRANSLATION)

Candidate must demonstrate a satisfactory knowledge of two foreign languages.

The candidate must take a minimum of 60 graduate hours. A candidate who already holds a graduate degree may be able to complete the program with 42 hours; a candidate who does not have at least a minor in English may be required to take additional courses.

The following courses are required:

Translation Workshop 15 hours

Introduction to Comparative Literature 3 hours

Fiction Writing Workshop 3 hours

Poetry Writing Workshop 3 hours

Form & Theory of Poetry 3 hours

Form & Theory of Fiction 3 hours

24 hours chosen from the literature of foreign languages, including at least 6 hours from each of the candidate's source languages. Teaching assistants may substitute ENGL 4003 (Composition for Teachers) or FLAN 5063 (Teaching Foreign Languages) for literature courses in a foreign language; candidates without previous History of English or Latin courses must substitute ENGL 6193 or LATN 3063.

There will also be a thesis consisting of a translated collection of poems and/or stories or a translated novel, epic, or drama, as well as comprehensive written and oral examinations. A student must register for a minimum of six hours of M.F.A. thesis.

All degree requirements must be completed within six consecutive calendar years from the date of first enrollment.

Through an agreement with the Academic Common Market, residents of certain Southern states may qualify for graduate enrollment in translation as in-state students for fee purposes. (See page 302 for details.)

Other Requirements

The policies and procedures approved for the Master of Arts and the Master of Science degrees also apply to the Master of Fine Arts degrees. In addition to completing other requirements, the candidate must pass a comprehensive examination administered by the respective program area.