Degree Requirements

The basic requirements for Master of Science degree are the same for apparel and merchandising and interior design students. Master of Science students take a basic research methods course (DM 551) and complete a natural, physical, or social sciences oriented thesis. A minimum of 30 credits, including six thesis credits, are required for the Master of Science degree. These credits are distributed among three areas:

1. Department Core (9 credits)

• DM 551 Research Methods (3 credits)
  
• DM 501Research-Based Design Solutions (3 credits)
  
• Quantitative or qualitative analysis class taken outside the department (3 credits)

2. Content coursework (At least 18 credits)

• At least 12 credits of graduate level content courses offered within the department (AM, ID, or DM prefix).
  
• Thesis (6 credits)

3. Breadth (At least 3 credits)

• In addition to the department core, at least 3 semester credits must be taken outside the department.

Using the above credit distribution, each student's graduate program is developed by the student and his/her committee. Typically, students take four academic-year semesters to complete the master's degree. Coursework required to meet deficiencies will not be counted toward the 30 credits required for the master's degree and may increase the time to complete the program. Before data collection, a written proposal must be approved by the student's graduate committee and the department head before thesis work begins. Upon completion of the thesis, the student must pass an oral examination. In addition to formal coursework, students have the opportunity to participate in independent studies, supervised college teaching, and/or internships. Participation in professional organizations is encouraged.Most regular courses are offered only during the academic year, so programs of study are generally completed during that time period.