University Credit Requirements

Paths to Success

Credit requirements vary greatly between all programs. Before completing your GS6 Program of Study online, it is important that you review the University credit requirements for your degree type as well as any additional departmental requirements. Please contact your department for any additional departmental requirements.

Master's Degrees

Thesis — Plan A

Plan A master’s degrees require the preparation of a thesis. The thesis is typically a written formal document which addresses, in an original fashion, some important concern of the discipline. A thesis involves significant independent work. A certain number of credits are allowed for the preparation of the thesis.

  • At least 24 credits must be earned at CSU.
    • Includes courses completed both prior and after admission to the Graduate School.
  • Of the courses earned at CSU, at least 21 credits must be earned after admission to the Graduate School.
  • Of the courses earned at CSU, at least 16 credits must be in 500 or higher level courses. Of the 16 credits, at least 12 credits must be in 500 or higher level regular courses.
    • Course numbers with the last two digits between 82-99 (i.e. PSY 784, JTC 690) are considered non-regular courses.
    • Includes courses completed both prior and after admission to the Graduate School.

Non-Thesis — Plan B

Plan B master’s degrees do not require a thesis; instead, more credits are earned in other types of courses and/or a scholarly paper is required. Plan B master’s degrees may also require a project, journal, or professional paper.

  • At least 24 credits must be earned at CSU.
    • Includes courses completed both prior and after admission to the Graduate School.
  • Of the courses earned at CSU, at least 21 credits must be earned after admission to the Graduate School.
  • Of the courses earned at CSU, at least 16 credits must be in 500 or higher level courses. Of the 16 credits, at least 12 credits must be in 500 or higher level regular courses.
    • Course numbers with the last two digits between 82-99 (i.e. PSY 784, JTC 690) are considered non-regular courses.
    • Includes courses completed both prior and after admission to the Graduate School.

Coursework Only — Plan C

Plan C master’s degrees generally require only coursework. No thesis, project, or final examination is required. Designed for professional degrees.

  • At least 24 credits must be earned at CSU.
    • Includes courses completed both prior and after admission to the Graduate School.
  • Of the courses earned at CSU, at least 21 credits must be earned after admission to the Graduate School.
  • Of the courses earned at CSU, at least 21 credits must be in 500 or higher level courses (at least 20 credits for the MCS degree). Of this number, at least 12 credits must be in 500 or higher level regular courses.
    • Course numbers with the last two digits between 82-99 (i.e. PSY 784, JTC 690) are considered non-regular courses.
    • Includes courses completed both prior and after admission to the Graduate School.
    • In general, Plan C Master’s Degrees have an additional requirement: no independent study, research, internship, supervised college teaching, or practicum credits may be credited toward the degree unless one or more of these are required by the program, as approved by the University Curriculum Committee. Workshop, seminar, and group study courses may be credited towards the degree.

Master of Fine Arts Degree (MFA)

Master of Fine Arts is a terminal degree for practicing professionals in the visual or literary arts and requires the preparation of a major artistic work.

This is a terminal degree for practicing professionals in the visual or literary arts. In general, it requires at least three years of full time study beyond the baccalaureate or at least one year of full time study beyond the Master of Arts degree.

This degree requires the preparation of a major artistic work. This work, whether in the form of a product of the visual arts, a performance, or a written manuscript, must 1) demonstrate a level of creativity sufficient to establish the student as a member of the appropriate artistic community, and 2) stand in its own right as a significant aesthetic or literary contribution. This work is presented as a thesis.

Total credit requirements vary from 48 to 60 according to the department in which the degree is earned. Further, individual departments may have requirements in excess of the University minimums laid out in this section, so students are encouraged to contact their departments to verify these.

For students who submit a previously earned Master of Arts (MA) degree in partial fulfillment of these requirements:

  • An MA degree from an accredited college or university may be accepted for a maximum of 30 credits.
    • The “Credits from Master’s Degree” section on the GS6 Program of Study form must be filled out in order for the master’s credits to be added to the total MFA credits.
  • No additional transfer credits may be accepted.
  • At least 32 credits must be earned at CSU.
    • Includes courses completed both prior and after admission to the Graduate School.
  • Of the courses earned at CSU, at least 21 credits must be earned after admission to the Graduate School.
  • Of the courses earned at CSU, at least 16 credits must be in 500 or higher level courses. Of the 16 credits, at least 12 credits must be in 500 or higher level regular courses.
    • Course numbers with the last two digits between 82-99 (i.e. PSY 784, JTC 690) are considered non-regular courses.
    • Includes courses completed both prior and after admission to the Graduate School.

For students who do not submit a previously earned Master of Arts (MA) degree in partial fulfillment of these requirements:

  • At least 32 credits must be earned at CSU.
    • Includes courses completed both prior and after admission to the Graduate School.
  • Of the courses earned at CSU, at least 21 credits must be earned after admission to the Graduate School.
  • Of the courses earned at CSU, at least 16 credits must be in 500 or higher level courses. Of the 16 credits, at least 12 credits must be in 500 or higher level regular courses.
    • Course numbers with the last two digits between 82-99 (i.e. PSY 784, JTC 690) are considered non-regular courses.
    • Includes courses completed both prior and after admission to the Graduate School.

Doctorate

A doctorate is the highest academic degree offered by the university. Those who earn it must demonstrate significant intellectual achievement, high scholarly ability, and great breadth of knowledge. The nature of the degree program will vary greatly depending on the discipline involved. In addition, doctoral work requires heavy participation in research or other kinds of creative activity. Particular projects may assume any of an almost infinite number of forms.

At least 72 credits total beyond the baccalaureate degree is required. Further, individual departments may have credit requirements in excess of these minimum university requirements, so students are encouraged to contact their departments to verify these.

Doctorate with no prior Master's Degree

For students who do not submit a master’s degree in partial fulfillment of these requirements:
  • Up to 10 credits earned at an accredited college or university may be accepted for transfer if approved by the student’s advisory committee, the department, and the Graduate School. Please review the Transfer of Graduate Credit From Other Institutions section for the requirements regarding transfer coursework.
  • At least 62 credits must be earned at CSU after admission to the Graduate School. Of the courses earned at CSU, at least 37 credits must be in 500 or higher level courses.
  • Includes courses completed both prior and after admission to the Graduate School.

Doctorate with prior Master's Degree

For students who submit a previously earned master’s degree in partial fulfillment of these requirements:

  • A master’s degree from an accredited college or university may be accepted for a maximum of 30 credits.
    • The “Credits from Master’s Degree” section on the GS6 Program of Study form must be filled out in order for the master’s credits to be added to the total doctoral credits.
  • Up to 10 credits earned after the date on which the master’s degree was awarded may be accepted in transfer if approved by the student’s advisory committee, the department, and the Graduate School. Please review the Transfer of Graduate Credit From Other Institutions section for the requirements regarding transfer coursework.
  • At least 32 credits must be earned at CSU after admission to the Graduate School.
  • Of the courses earned at CSU, at least 21 credits must be in 500 or higher level courses.
    • Includes courses completed both prior and after admission to the Graduate School.

Continuous Master's/Doctorate

For students enrolled in a continuous master’s/doctoral program at CSU (Continuous programs are those in which the student is admitted to the doctoral program and formally registers the Fall or Spring semester immediately following receipt of the master’s degree):

  • All courses used towards the CSU master’s degree (listed on the student’s GS6 Program of Study for the master’s degree) may be applied to the doctorate, even if the total master’s degree credits exceed 30. All other prescribed credit requirements of the master’s and doctoral degrees remain in effect in such cases.
    • The “Credits from Master’s Degree” section on the GS6 Program of Study form must be filled out in order for the master’s credits to be added to the total doctoral credits.
  • Up to 10 credits earned at an accredited college or university may be accepted for transfer if approved by the student’s advisory committee, the department, and the Graduate School. Please review the Transfer of Graduate Credit From Other Institutions section for the requirements regarding transfer coursework.
  • Of the courses earned at CSU, at least 21 credits must be in 500 or higher level courses.
    • Includes courses completed both prior and after admission to the Graduate School.

Doctorate with Prior Professional Postbaccalaureate Degree

For students who submit a previously earned professional postbaccalaureate degree in Medicine, Veterinary Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Law, or Divinity in partial fulfillment of these requirements:

  • A professional postbaccalaureate degree in Medicine, Veterinary Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Law, or Divinity from an accredited college or university may be accepted for a maximum of 30 credits.
    • The “Credits from Master’s Degree” section on the GS6 Program of Study form must be filled out in order for the master’s credits to be added to the total doctoral credits.
  • Up to 10 credits earned after the date on which the professional postbaccalaureate degree was awarded may be accepted in transfer if approved by the student’s advisory committee, the department, and the Graduate School. Please review the Transfer of Graduate Credit From Other Institutions section for the requirements regarding transfer coursework.
  • At least 32 credits must be earned at CSU after admission to the Graduate School.
  • Of the courses earned at CSU, at least 21 credits must be in 500 or higher level courses.
    • Includes courses completed both prior and after admission to the Graduate School.
  • Students contemplating this option may be required to pass an equivalency examination to assure that they possess levels of knowledge and skill generally expected of master’s degree holders.

Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM)

The Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program and requirements are managed by the College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences. Students seeking admission, program requirements, curriculum, graduation, or other information should visit the CVMBS website.

Additional Resources for Degree Programs

Certificate Programs

Graduate certificates are offered and transcripted by the University. Certificate programs undergo an approval process by the University Curriculum Committee (UCC).

  • Certificate programs are 9-15 credits. This is typically 3-4 courses.
  • For conferral purposes, a student’s GPA for the cumulative Graduate Certificate coursework must be a minimum of 3.0.
  • Students must earn a minimum of a C in all certificate coursework.
  • Students may not take a course more than twice during the certificate process in order to enhance their grade for the course or GPA for the overall certificate.
  • Transfer coursework and course substitutions are not allowed for certificate programs. Coursework and credit requirements are listed in the Colorado State University general catalog.