Academics

Master of Science Program of Study

Master of Science Program of Study

Requirements for the M.S. in Engineering and all named disciplinary M.S. degree programs in the College of Engineering require a minimum of 33 semester hours in the student’s Program of Study, which consists of:

  • A minimum of 24 semester hours of coursework, which must include
    • 23 hours of graduate-level coursework, 12 of which must be from UGA courses open only to graduate students and exclusive of thesis (7300) and research (7000, 7010).
    • 1 hour of Graduate Seminar **

And either

  • Thesis Option:
    • A minimum of 6 hours of master’s research (7000) or project-based research (7010). A typical student’s research hours will exceed this minimum; however, at most 6 hours of 7000/7010 may be listed on the Program of Study.
    • 3 hours of Master’s Thesis (7300), thesis writing under the direction of the major professor.

Or

  • Non-Thesis Option***:
    • 6 hours of additional courses as defined by the program or emphasis area
    • 3 hours of ENGR 7010 Project Research and a Master’s Project Report

*Discipline-specific M.S. and Emphasis Area programs will require completion of a set of specific courses detailed by each program. These courses may increase the total number of semester hours required for program completion.

** Only 1 hour of Graduate Seminar may apply on the Program of Study. Individual Programs or Schools may require students to enroll for additional semesters. (ECAM and ECE students register ENGR 8950; CMB students register BCHE 8970.)  Students are strongly encouraged to continue regular attendance of speaker series presentations even if not formally registered in the seminar.

*** The Non-Thesis Option is available only in the following programs: MS Agricultural Engineering, MS Civil and Environmental Engineering (pending program approval), and the ECE and Mechanical Eng. Emphasis Areas of the MS in Engineering.

The thesis option is provided for students wishing to receive professional training via coursework integrated with research training through the successful completion of a thesis. In the MS Thesis Option, all coursework is selected consistent with specific degree and emphasis area requirements in coordination with the Student’s Faculty Advisor and approved by the student’s Advisory Committee on the Program of Study.  To receive the M.S. degree, each student is required to present a satisfactory research proposal approved by the student’s advisory committee and the graduate coordinator and pass a final examination and defense of the research thesis.

The non-thesis option is provided for students either currently employed in professional practice or wishing to emphasize only professional training through their MS degree.  The Graduate Coordinator serves as the faculty advisor for non-thesis students. All coursework is selected consistent with degree and emphasis area requirements and approved by the program’s Graduate Coordinator on the Program of Study. Non-thesis students are not required to have an Advisory Committee. To receive the MS degree under the non-thesis option, each student must identify an appropriate faculty member to serve as supervisor for their Master’s Project (ENGR 7010). Upon completion, the student must submit their Masters Project Report and a College of Engineering (CENGR) Master’s Project Completion form for approval by the student’s Graduate Coordinator.

Students elect their MS option at the start of their programs. In the event a student wishes to change their degree option during their program, the student must request a change in degree objective. Students successfully petitioning to change their previously elected MS option must 1) complete at least two full-time semesters in their new option before they are eligible for graduation, 2) adequately complete any prior work to which they committed or for which they were supported under assistantship in their prior option, and 3) after option change start and complete either the MS project requirement (ENGR 7010) or MS thesis research requirement (ENGR 7000/7010, 7300). Only students in the thesis option are eligible for College assistantship support.

Completion of the M.S. requirements for all programs in the College of Engineering fulfill all requirements of the University of Georgia Graduate School. No grade below C will be accepted in the program of study. To be eligible for graduation, a student must maintain a 3.0 (B) average on the graduate transcript and a 3.0 (B) average in the program of study.

Detailed information on specific programs can be found at the following links: