Requirements for Admission and Graduation

An overall 3.0 grade point average or better and above average grades in the sciences are required. Other requirements depend on the particular program chosen by the student.

Students are required to take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) and provide two letters of recommendation. Applicants for the double master’s program must meet the entrance requirements for St. John’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and the College of Pharmacy.

Degree Options 
Two options are offered within each program leading to the Master of Science degree.

Thesis Option (Plan A)
Requires 24 semester hours of course work (exclusive of prerequisites) and a thesis project for which a minimum of six semester hours of credit are required. Students that are accepted under the thesis option are permitted to take more than 24 semester hours of course work subject to approval of their mentor.

Non-thesis Option (Plan B)
Requires additional course work in lieu of the thesis (a minimum total of 33-36 semester hours of course work, exclusive of prerequisites).  Students are typically required to complete the degree program option (thesis or non-thesis) for which they have been accepted.

Degree Requirements 

Residency*One Year
Time Limit on Credit
Five Years
Minimum Credit in Semester Hours: Thesis Option30 (24 Course work; 6 Thesis Research)
Minimum Credit in Semester Hours: Non-Thesis Option33 to 36 (Course work)
Comprehensive ExaminationRequired
Graduate Record ExaminationRequired


* Residency for the Master of Science degree requires completing six credits per semester for two consecutive semesters.