Degree and Non-Degree Credit
Programs in Engineering and Science

Degree Programs | Non-Degree Programs

Degree Programs

Coursework leading to master’s degrees are available through UNITE. These programs are designed for those who already have received a bachelor’s degree in an accredited and related engineering or science curriculum.  Working professionals typically complete a master's degree in four-to-five years when choosing UNITE for all class work for their degree.

Students may complete a master's degree through UNITE course offerings in two areas of study (Electrical Engineering and Computer Science) or may combine UNITE offerings with on-campus offerings toward a degree in a number of programs, primarily Institute of Technology programs.  Students work closely with a program advisor in his/her program toward degree completion, adhering to program and graduate school requirements.

Research Degrees - Master of Science (M.S.)
The master of science degree, the traditional master’s degree for engineers and scientists, is customarily for persons who anticipate entering research and development. It is also the standard required degree for continuation onto a Ph.D. degree program.

The degree is offered under three options:

• Plan A (Thesis) program option which involves the completion of minimum number of graduate level coursework credits and a thesis research project
• Plan B (Project) program option which involves the completion of a larger number of minimum coursework credits and a professional project or paper
• Plan C (Coursework Projects) program option which involves a minimum number of graduate level coursework credits and coursework projects

M.S. program options vary by department.  You may learn more about specific program offerings through departmental resources available on our Program Resources page.

Professional Degrees - Master of Engineering (M.E.)
The master of engineering degree is primarily for persons who feel they need more study in their chosen fields or a formal introduction to the design process to prepare for specific work. This degree is considered a terminal degree, and only in exceptional circumstances will students be permitted to transfer from this program to a master of science program or continue on to a Ph.D. program. This degree is offered as a coursework only option which requires only the completion of a minimum number of graduate level coursework credits.

M.E. program options vary by department.  You may learn more about specific program offerings through departmental resources available on our Program Resources page.

Additionally, students may find courses required for doctorate-level degrees available through UNITE.

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Non-Degree Programs

Graduate Credit Registration for Non-Degree Students
You may be interested in taking courses now as a non-degree student that will be used later for a graduate degree program at the University of Minnesota. If this is the case, you MUST REGISTER as a Non-Degree student (GRAD-99-PRD-Professional Development Student) in Graduate School for courses to be used for a graduate program. Courses taken as an adult special student will not be accepted for a graduate degree.

UNITE calls this classification GRAD-PRD.

This classification is appropriate for those students who: Need coursework to show on a graduate level transcript; wish to take a course or two before they decide whether to pursuer a graduate degree; wish to take courses while awaiting admission to a graduate degree. Note that in all cases the 40% transfer rule applies to courses taken as a GRAD-99-PRD.

Eligibility is open to students who:

• Have never attended the University of Minnesota or who are no longer active in a University of Minnesota degree-seeking program.
• Wish to take courses prior to admission to a Graduate level degree-seeking program (for example, M.A., Ed.D., or Ph.D. degrees).
• Need coursework to appear on a graduate level transcript.
• Want to take courses that are assessed at a graduate or professional school tuition rate.
• Who are not registering in another non-degree-seeking option.

Admission process:

• Students must work with the department (UNITE) offering the course to gain admission to non-degree status. The Graduate School is not involved in this enrollment option. .

Limitations:

• Students cannot be active or enrolled in any other program, whether graduate or undergraduate, at the University.
• Admittance to the program is for one term.
• A new Request for Graduate Credit form must be completed and approved each term.
• All courses taken within the term are charged the graduate or professional school tuition rate regardless of whether they are taken for graduate credit.
• Consult the program for the number of credits allowed as transfer credits by the University of Minnesota Graduate School.

Registration:

• Follow the UNITE regular registration process
• The effective date on the Request for Graduate Credit is the date the departmental representative approves the form.

Tuition and fees:

• Tuition and fees are assessed at the graduate school rate with the exception of the following programs: industrial relations, public affairs (please consult college for rate), agriculture, business taxation, medicine, public health. Courses in these programs are assessed at the tuition rate for the respective program. Students may choose to pay the student services fee. You will receive your bill from Student Finance by e-mail.

Note: All registration deadlines, late fees, and refund schedules are applicable. See OneStop (at http://onestop.umn.edu ) for details.

Adult Special Registration for Non-Degree Students
Although the programs outlined above offer several different paths for continuing education in science and technology, a number of engineers and scientists have no degree interests. You may be interested only in taking specific courses to meet specific needs with no intention of ever using these credits toward a graduate degree. If this is the case, you should seek admission to the University as an adult special students. You may obtain an adult special application form from your UNITE site coordinator. This form is then submitted to the UNITE Administrative office for processing.

Adult special application forms should be processed no later than three weeks before the beginning of the term, so that the application can be processed before the registration deadline.

Adult special students may not take 8-xxx level courses without approval of the originating department.

As of Spring Semester 2001, courses taken as an adult special WILL NOT be accepted toward a graduate program at the University of Minnesota.

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