GRADUATE PROGRAMS
Master's Degree
In broad terms, the master's degree indicates that the recipient has mastered
a program in a particular field of study to a level, which prepares the
candidate to pursue original work in the specialty. Normally, degree
titles indicate one of two major categories. The Master of Arts and
Master of Science are generally designated as academic degrees designed
to provide an introduction to scholarly activities and research.
At Southeast, the Master of Natural Science also serves the same purposes.
These degrees often serve the needs of individuals teaching in public schools
or community colleges and/or as preparation for further graduate study.
The second category leads to professional master's degrees, and, in general,
consists of common degree titles such as the M.B.A., M.M.E., and M.S.A.
While similar to the M.A. and M.S., these programs tend to emphasize professional
practice.2
Despite differences in title and objective, all master's degrees share
common characteristics. The degree normally requires one to two years
of full-time study (or equivalent) and the completion of a minimum of thirty-two
semester hours of credit. "The degree is awarded upon completion
of a coherent program which is designed to assure mastery of specified
knowledge and skills, rather than a random accumulation of credits beyond
the baccalaureate degree." (1: 1) The basic components
of the degree may vary in emphasis, but generally include a common core
in the discipline; a concentration in a subfield of study; cognate courses
outside the department as a means of broadening the curriculum or to provide
needed skills, an integrative experience to synthesize the program's content
and/or to translate theory into practice such as seminars, practice, etc;
a summative experience to measure achievement and intellectual growth such
as a thesis, research paper, and/or comprehensive examination.3 Academic
credit applicable to the degree should only be awarded for those courses
designed to expand and strengthen skills beyond the level of the baccalaureate
degree. Degree credit is not awarded for courses which are remedial
or designed to fulfill prerequisites for admission.
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