The major graduate degree offered by the university is the master's degree. It is designed to introduce the student to advanced study and research, with emphasis upon specialized, in-depth, and independent study. In the education professions, graduate study at the master's degree level is designed to increase the competence of teachers and other school personnel. For professionals in fields other than education, the degree objective is to provide additional preparation for careers in the arts and the humanities, science, business and industry, technology management, and/or governmental service. The degree is also designed for those who wish to gain opportunities for cultural advancement in the field of general education.
The master's degree is not a terminal degree. In addition to opening the way to general professional and personal advancement, it may be considered a step toward the Specialist in Education degree or toward the achievement of a doctoral degree. The master's degrees offered are described below and in the departmental sections of the catalog. All degrees have common and unique requirements. Students should read both the general regulations and the particular requirements for each degree.
MASTER'S DEGREES OFFERED
Master of Arts
Art
Communication
English
History
Master of Business Administration
Master of Engineering Technology
Engineering Technology
Master of Music
Music
Master of Science
Biology
Chemistry
Counseling
Educational Leadership
Educational Technology
Human Resource Development
Mathematics
Physical Education
Physics
Psychology
Reading
Special Education Teaching
Teaching
Technical Teacher Education
Technology
Technology Education
Master of Science in Nursing
Nursing
MASTER OF ARTS DEGREE
The university is authorized to offer the Master of Arts degree in Art, Communication, English, and History. All regulations for the master's degree apply to the Master of Arts. Research options I, II, and III are generally available for the Master of Arts degree. Students should check with their major departments concerning the recommended option.
MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION DEGREE
The Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree is a one to one and one-half year graduate professional program which emphasizes breadth of preparation for careers in management. Limited concentrations are offered in accounting and general administration. A maximum of 64 semester hours and a minimum of 34 semester hours of graduate courses are required depending upon the undergraduate background of the student. Only seminar Option III is available to the graduate student in the Master of Business Administration program.
MASTER OF ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY DEGREE
The Department of Engineering Technology offers courses leading to a Master of Engineering Technology degree with a specialization in research, construction, electronics, manufacturing, mechanical or plastics. This graduate program is a professional multi-disciplinary team and project oriented approach to graduate education. Emphasis is placed on "real-world" activities, projects and interactions.
MASTER OF MUSIC DEGREE
The university is authorized to offer the Master of Music degree. A number of emphases are available within the program. Only research Option I is available to the graduate student in music.
MASTER OF SCIENCE DEGREE
The university is authorized to offer the Master of Science degree in the following areas: biology, chemistry, counseling, educational leadership, educational technology, human resource development, mathematics, physical education, physics, psychology, reading, special education teaching, teaching, technical teacher education, technology, and technology education. Research options and degree requirements are specified for each major.
MASTER OF SCIENCE IN NURSING
The Master of Science in Nursing degree is offered with a major in nursing. A number of emphases are available within the program.
ADMISSION TO STUDY FOR THE MASTER'S DEGREE
Application for Admission
All students who wish to obtain a master's degree must apply for admission and meet admission standards prescribed by the Graduate School. Applicants for admission to a graduate degree program must file the following documents in the Office of Continuing and Graduate Studies:
- An application form filed at least two weeks before enrollment, and no earlier than the semester preceding entrance into the Graduate School.
- An official transcript showing all work previously taken and degrees received prior to application for admission. Transcripts must be sent by the Registrar's directly to the Office of Continuing and Graduate Studies.
- Completion of any required admission tests.
A temporary permit to enroll conditionally as a special graduate student may be granted by the Dean of Continuing and Graduate Studies if the student's application for admission and official transcript of prior study are not on file at the time of first enrollment. However, temporary permission to enroll does not grant or imply admission to a graduate degree program. If the transcript is not filed within three weeks of the first enrollment, permission to continue in the class or classes may be withdrawn and graduate status terminated.
Requirements for Admission
General admission to a degree program is granted by the Dean of Continuing and Graduate Studies. Admission to a specific master's degree program is granted by the major department and is subject to their specific requirements, which includes adequate academic preparation in that particular discipline.
REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MASTER'S DEGREE
Major/Minor Programs
Upon acceptance to a degree program, students are assigned a major advisor by the department. The advisor assists the student in planning the program of study, reviews graduate credit work taken previously and determines applicability for the degree program.
Students may also choose a minor field of study logically related to the major. The selection of courses for the minor and enrollment in elective courses outside the major must have the approval of the student's major advisor.
Student's Individualized Course of Study Option
The Graduate School recognizes that each graduate student comes to Pittsburg State University to pursue advanced studies that further their personal and career goals. The Graduate School also recognizes that existing majors are structured to meet the needs of most students, but do not always fit the requirements for students wanting a Student's Individualized Course of Study Option that combines courses from two programs. To meet the special needs of students requesting a course of study that is different from the existing program majors, the Graduate Dean suggests that the student and their advisor prepare a Student's Individualized Course of Study Option that includes the courses desired in the Lead Program (one of the existing Graduate Studies Programs) and to petition the Lead Program to include other course substitutions in the Student's Individualized Course of Study. The Dean of Continuing and Graduate Studies may approve a Student's Individualized Course of Study Option that is requested by a student and approved by the two advisors, two cooperating department chairs, and their respective deans.
Change of Major
If graduate students change their major, they must apply for admission to the new major through the Graduate Office. Courses previously taken will be evaluated as to appropriateness on the new program.
Credit Hours
Courses numbered 700 to 799 and 800 to 899 are master's level graduate courses. Courses numbered 900 or above are open only to students who have a master's degree, except for the second year MBA.
Upon the recommendation of the chairman of the major department and with the approval of the Dean of Continuing and Graduate Studies, graduate students may enroll in certain courses numbered 500 to 699 provided such courses do not exceed a total of six semester hours of credit to apply toward the minimum 30 to 33 hours required for the master's degree.
The department may recommend additional work in courses numbered 500 to 699 above the minimum of 30 to 33 hours required for the degree.
Courses at 500, 600, or 700-level may not be applied toward a degree unless graduate fees have been paid.
Special Requirements
Students admitted as senior-graduates may begin work on the master's degree if they are accepted for that status. Such a combined program must not exceed 16 total semester hours. If the senior-graduate student does not complete the undergraduate degree, the graduate credit will not be counted toward the graduate degree.
A first-semester senior who has been officially scheduled for the professional semester in the second semester of the senior year may, with the explicit permission of the Dean of Continuing and Graduate Studies, also enroll in graduate level courses. Such students must be admitted to graduate study, have approval of the proposed major department, and be eligible for admission in full standing. An overall grade point average of 3.0000 and 3.2000 or better in the proposed major is recommended for senior-graduate admission.
Students may be required by their department to pass an examination over portions of their undergraduate study in their major subject field. Such examination must precede admission to candidacy. The examination may be oral or written or both.
Master's Program Options
The information listed below was approved after academic departments submitted catalog copy and will not match what is listed within individual departments.
There are three alternative experiences at the master's degree level. Not all departments offer all three alternatives. Students should consult their major department concerning the availability of options.
Option I: Thesis
The student must present and defend a satisfactory thesis according to the Requirements and Guidelines for the Preparation of a Master’s Thesis manual. The thesis option requires a minimum of 30 credit hours, with no fewer than 15 hours in courses numbered 800-899 and at least 24 hours in courses numbered 700-899. Enrollment in three to six hours of Research and Thesis course work is required.
Option II: Applied Research
The students will complete research related to a specific problem or will complete a specific advanced project. This option includes creative and aesthetic efforts such as performances, exhibits, or creative writing. The applied research option requires a minimum of 32 hours of course work with no fewer than 15 semester hours in courses numbered 800-899 and at least 26 hours in courses numbered 700-899. Enrollment in three to six hours of Research Problem, Methods of Research or Research Seminar course work is required.
Option III: Course Work
The student will complete course work that demonstrates evidence of advanced work in an area of concentration. Departments will require evidence of competency through activities such as; research papers, portfolios, practica, internships, comprehensive exams or other individual work. Students should check with their major department for specific requirements for the course work option. This option requires a minimum of 32 hours of course work, with no fewer than 15 hours in courses numbered 800-899 and at least 26 hours in courses numbered 700-899.
Comprehensive Examination
Candidates must satisfactorily pass a comprehensive examination in the field of their graduate major not later than four weeks before the date on which the degree is to be conferred. This examination may be either oral or written or both. The major department shall prepare and give the examination over the formal and informal study required for the degree. The department will then certify on the petition for the degree to the Office of Continuing and Graduate Studies that the student has satisfactorily passed the examination.
Typical Load
Fifteen semester hours is a typical load for those graduate students choosing Option I. Twelve hours is the typical graduate credit load for those students who hold full-time assistantships while studying toward the degree. Senior-graduate students will be limited to a total enrollment of sixteen semester hours. Nine semester hours of graduate credit is considered to be a minimum full-time load. There may be instances when the time required to complete the research work for a graduate degree may justify fewer than nine semester hours as a full-time load.
Fully employed persons should discuss with their advisor the demands of employment and the requirements of graduate study, and limit the credit hour load accordingly.
Admission to Master's Degree Candidacy
Admission to candidacy is a required step toward completion of a degree program. Students are usually admitted to candidacy when they have successfully completed at least nine hours and not more than eighteen hours of graduate study, and have planned the remainder of the program with the approval of their major department. The student is admitted to candidacy by the Dean of Continuing and Graduate Studies.
Application for admission to master's degree candidacy is the responsibility of the graduate student. The Office of Continuing and Graduate Studies sends candidacy forms to advisors; student and advisor complete their final program plan, and the chairperson of the department approves the plan. Then the plan is approved by the graduate dean and filed as the official degree program. Changes in the planned program after admission to candidacy must be approved by the major advisor, the chairperson of the department certified in writing, and approved by the graduate dean.
In order to be admitted to master's degree candidacy, students must have:
- taken any tests which are required by the department;
- passed satisfactorily the preliminary or other qualifying examination if either is required by the major department;
- removed all deficiencies for admission to the graduate degree program;
- earned a B average in all graduate credit courses that are part of the degree program to that point;
- selected the master's research option under which they will complete the degree program;
- planned the remainder of the degree program with their major advisor.
Regular academic semester enrollment: if students plan to take their graduate study in regular academic semesters, they must be admitted to candidacy not later than nine weeks before the end of the second regular semester of study.
Enrollment in summer sessions and part-time study: if graduate students plan to complete a degree program through summer session study and part-time enrollment (night, Saturday, and Continuing Studies classes), they must apply for and be admitted to candidacy before enrolling for the last half of their degree program under any one of the options.
Students who have not been admitted to candidacy as stated above may be required to take additional courses before completing the degree program.
Application for the Master's Degree
Candidates for the master's degree must file an application (petition for the degree) with the Dean of Continuing and Graduate Studies not later than four weeks before the date for granting the degree. The form to be completed may be obtained from that office. The application must also have the approval of the major department. |
