Graduate Program Sequence

Most courses are typically scheduled in the late afternoon (3 pm) or evening (6 pm). Some courses may be offered over the summer as well.

Two-Year Typical Course Sequence

A student who takes three courses in each of the first two semesters can complete the program in two years. A typical sequence for a student might be the following:

Semester 1

  • Core/Elective
  • Research Methods
  • Statistics and Research Design

Semester 2

  • Independent Study: Thesis Proposal (thesis track); or
    Core/Elective (content track)
  • Core/Elective
  • Core/Elective

Semester 3

  • Independent Study: Thesis Research (thesis track); or
    Core/Elective (content track)
  • Core/Elective
  • Core/Elective

Semester 4

  • Matriculation Continued (thesis track)
  • Core/Elective (content track)

Undergraduates accepted under the BA/MA Accelerated program may take up to three graduate courses during their final undergraduate year at Rutgers, reducing the minimum time required to complete the program to as little as a year and a half.  

Students who are attending part-time or who must proceed more slowly may require more than two years to finish the program. Consistent with the policies of the Graduate School, students must have completed their thesis by the end of their fifth year.