Program of study requirements

• Minimum of 60 graduate credits.
• Minimum of 40 graduate credits of coursework.
• Maximum of 24 graduate credits from a completed master’s degree program or previous post-baccalaureate work may be applied to the program (this includes grad special and transfer). There is no limit on the number of units transferred when students earn their master’s en route to Ph.D. in a University of Nevada, Reno doctoral program. 
• Maximum of 9 graduate credits of S/U grading (including transfer credits).
• At least 18 credits of 700-level graduate credits exclusive of dissertation credits are required: as many as 18 of these credits may be used from a master's degree program.
• Must enroll in a minimum of 12 and a maximum of 30 dissertation credits for degree completion (see program requirement). With program director approval, internship/externship experiences can count for dissertation credits.
• Fulfill residency requirement by either completing two consecutive semesters (excluding summer sessions) consisting of nine (9) graduate credits each or by completing two consecutive semesters on a 20-hour assistantship with enrollment in six (6) graduate credits.
• All requirements for the doctoral program, excluding prerequisite graduate course work or master's degrees, must be completed within a period of 8 years immediately preceding the granting of the degree.
• Continuous enrollment.
• Minimum enrollment of 3 graduate credits each fall and spring semester.
• Some graduate programs have additional requirements.
• No undergraduate credits can be applied to any advanced degree program.
• Every graduate course must be completed with a grade of “C “or better.

The advisory-examining committee consists of at least five graduate faculty members. In addition to the advisor as chair, this committee is composed of two or more members from the major department, one or more from departments in related fields, and at least one member of the graduate faculty from outside the student’s major department or program who is the Graduate School Representative. All graduate degree advisory committee members must be members of the University graduate faculty.

The advisory-examining committee consists of at least three members of the graduate faculty, two representing the area of specialization and one who is the Graduate School Representative. If a major/minor program is elected, there must be one committee member representing the major, one representing the minor and one who is the Graduate School Representative. All graduate degree advisory committee members must be members of the University graduate faculty.

Interdisciplinary/interdepartmental master’s degree programs

The committee may consist entirely of faculty from that interdisciplinary/interdepartmental program provided that the role of the Graduate School Representative is filled by a graduate faculty member who holds an academic appointment in a department or program different from that of the chair of the committee.

Committee composition

Thesis advisory/examining committees consist of at least three (3) members of the Graduate Faculty. Two (2) faculty members, not necessarily from the student’s department, represent the student’s area of specialization and one (1) faculty member is selected to serve as the Graduate School Representative. Students may request the appointment of a committee member from the faculty of another university or from a relevant discipline or profession, provided the prospective member has achieved a record of distinction. Any member outside of UNR may not serve as the Graduate School Representative. They are approved as an “additional inside member”. Formal approval of the student’s advisory/examining committee is made by the Graduate Dean. In case of interdisciplinary graduate programs, the Graduate School Representative cannot have a primary appointment in the same department (or another appropriate major unit) as the student’s committee chair.

• Non-thesis/project-based committees consist of at least two (2) faculty members, the major advisor and the graduate program director.
• Course-based-only committees consist of one (1) faculty member, the graduate program director.

All graduate degree advisory committee members must be members of the University graduate faculty.

Time limitations

All coursework for a master’s degree must be completed within six years preceding the awarding of the degree. This means that for a student beginning graduate-level courses in Fall 2008, the student must complete their degree coursework by August 2014. When the student was officially admitted to their graduate program is irrelevant: it’s the age of the course work they wish to apply towards their degree. The time limitation, therefore, applies to graduate-level courses completed while still an undergraduate, as a graduate special, while in a previous graduate program, when first admitted to their graduate program, or transferred from another institution. And, of course, the six-year window shifts as time goes by. That student who cannot graduate in August 2024 and then applies to graduate in December 2024 now has to have coursework completed no earlier than Spring 2019. Any exceptions to course time limitations approved by the Graduate Dean are for a particular period of time – the approval is not good “forever.” Coursework for doctoral degrees must be completed within eight years preceding the granting of the degree. Credits from a previously completed master’s degree approved to apply to the doctoral degree are exempt from this time limitation.
Grades: All coursework for an advanced degree must be completed with a grade of “C” or better. This means a course for which you receive a “C minus” cannot be used to satisfy degree requirements. If the course is required you will have to re-take the course.

S/U grades

There are limits to the number of Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory (previously called Pass/Fail) credits that may be applied to a degree. For master’s degrees, the limit is six (6); for doctoral degrees, the limit is nine (9). This limit is not applicable to thesis or dissertation credits or credits for the comprehensive exam (courses ending in 795).

Filing the Program of Study

Programs of Study must be filed prior to applying for graduation, generally the semester prior to the one in which you are planning to graduate. The Graduate School website lists the deadlines for filing your program of study under “Important Dates.” Please be aware of these dates. Reminders for deadlines may be emailed to students, but ultimately it is your responsibility as a graduate student to be aware of dates and deadlines. It is best to file a Program of Study as early as possible to avoid delays at graduation time.

Continuous enrollment

All graduate students are required to maintain continuous enrollment to stay in good academic standing. Students without assistantships must be enrolled in a minimum of three (3) graduate credits and students with assistantships must be enrolled for a minimum of six (6) graduate credits each fall and spring semester. Failure to maintain continuous enrollment may result in the student being placed on probation, losing an assistantship and various other consequences. If you know that you will need to be gone during a semester, please file a Leave of Absence.

400-600 level course policy

Courses numbered 600 and above are for graduate units (see numbering explanation in the Course Numbering System of the catalog). A dual-numbered (400-600) course completed at the 400-level for undergraduate units may not be re-taken at the 600-level for graduate units. Courses numbered 500-599 are post-baccalaureate level and not applicable toward a graduate degree.

See more in the University Catalog's Academic Requirements for Maintaining Graduate Standing.