Filing for Degree Program
Before completing the first two-thirds of the required hours in a degree program,  graduate students, in consultation with their advisers, should file a program of study. This program must be approved by the graduate program involved and the dean of the Graduate School.

Thesis and Comprehensive Examinations
Although not a general Graduate School requirement, a thesis may be required in particular degree programs. Where required, the thesis is directed by a three-member committee of graduate faculty appointed by the dean of the Graduate School on the recommendation of the graduate program.

Microfilming of master's theses is required by the Graduate School as a condition of degree conferral. Information on requirements, costs, and optional copyrighting can be obtained from the Graduate School .

Comprehensive examinations--oral, written, or both are required in most master's degree programs. Examinations are administered by a committee of no fewer than three graduate faculty members appointed by the dean of the Graduate School on the recommendation of the graduate program.

Dual Master's Degrees
With approval of the graduate program and the dean of the Graduate School, students  who have completed one master's degree may transfer appropriate credits to a second master's degree program. The number of transferable credits may not exceed one-third of the credit hours required by the second program; subsequent transfers to a third master's degree are not permitted.

With approval of the graduate programs involved and the dean of the Graduate School, students may simultaneously pursue two master's degrees under the following conditions:

• No more than one-third of the credit hours required by either program may  be applied to both programs.
• Students must obtain approval of the graduate program and graduate advisers from both areas before they have completed 12 hours in either program. Under normal circumstances, two degrees will be pursued consecutively rather than concurrently.

An exception to the above one-third limit may be granted by the dean of the Graduate School if the two degree programs have filed with the Graduate School approved guidelines addressing specific allowable transfers between those two degree programs.

Credit From a Certificate Program
Students who have completed course credits in certificate programs may transfer such credits into a master's degree program with the consent of the graduate  program, as long as the credits fall within the time limitations set for master's degrees. If the master's degree is in a different graduate program from that awarding the certificate, then no more than one-third of the credits from the certificate program may apply to the master's degree. Students engaged in established multidisciplinary studies governed by guidelines approved by the relevant graduate programs and the Graduate School may apply appropriate certificate credits in excess of this limit.

Time Limitation
The maximum amount of time allowed for completion of a master's degree is six years after the first graduate course enrollment. All courses included in a master's degree program, whether taken at UM-St. Louis or at another institution, must have been completed within six years of the awarding of the degree.

Residence Requirement
The final two-thirds of the courses in a master's degree program must be completed in residence at UM-St. Louis.

Continuous Enrollment
All master's degree students who regularly utilize faculty or facilities for the purpose of advisement, data gathering, or examinations must be enrolled for credit commensurate with this activity.