A student's program of study is based on a set of requirements laid down for the degree by the Council of the Graduate School.

The basic patterns of requirements for master's and doctoral degrees are:

Advanced courses plus research and thesis

 

For Master's degrese only, some departments offer alternative patterns of program requirements:

Advanced courses plus project and report, or plus master's essay(s).

 

Advanced coursework.

 

A master's degree taken according to one of the alternative patterns represents an equivalent standard of academic achievement to that of the same degree taken according to Pattern I.

 

The program of study depends on the student's academic background, field of study, and the departmental requirements for the degree. It is drawn up by the student's supervisor and submitted to the Division for approval according to its procedures. The program is then entered into the student's record. This should be done early in the initial term of registration.

 

Once a student's field of study has been determined, a supervisor or supervisory committee with expertise in that field is appointed by the Head of the Department or the departmental committee on graduate studies. The Division is notified of this appointment for entry into the student's record.