Courses and Credit Hours
The university requires a minimum of 30 semester hours for a master's degree. This includes at least 24 semester hours of discipline content courses. Chemistry and Biological Sciences master's programs require a minimum of 20 semester hours of discipline content courses. Programs may have requirements that exceed the minimum standards established by the university.
A maximum of three semester credits of 513 (Professional Renewal) may be counted toward the master’s degree.
Transfer Credit
Master's Degree Policy
Students must complete a minimum of 24 credits (80%) through the University of Northern Colorado as part of their master's degree. Thus, students can transfer up to six (6) qualifying credits (e.g. credits earned within the last five years, with a grade of "B" or better) from an accredited institution, that offers graduate degrees, into a 30 credit hour degree program. If the program requirements exceed the minimum 30 credits, students are allowed to transfer additional credits as determined by the school or program faculty (no more than 20%). Students are encouraged to check school policies regarding transfer of credit.
These policies allow programs that exceed the 30 credit minimum for a master's to establish school transfer limits and guidelines that exceed minimum requirements. As long as the minimum number of credits through UNC are observed, transfer credit allowances to students will be determined by program faculty and can vary on a case by case basis. The Graduate School will not approve students for graduation with fewer than the required UNC credits.