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UW Graduate School - Faculty and Staff

Program & Credential Types

Graduate education at UW includes the following program and credential types. Each type has specific characteristics as outlined below, and as described in Graduate School Policies. 

A master’s degree has a minimum of 36 credits and generally includes a culminating experience. The requirements and structure of the master’s degree are governed by Policy 1.1 and Policy 1.3. A master’s program is subject to academic program review Policy 1.8.

Master’s degree characteristics:

  • Distinct notation on the transcript as well as the diploma.
  • Can be research-focused or practice-focused (Policy 1.7).
  • Generally requires culminating or integrated experience.

Creation and modification:

An educational specialist degree has a minimum of 54 credits and includes a capstone experience. The requirements and structure of the educational specialist degree are governed by Policy 1.1 and Policy 1.3. An educational specialist program is subject to academic program review Policy 1.8.

Educational specialist degree characteristics:

  • Distinct notation on the transcript as well as the diploma.
  • Can be research-focused or practice-focused (Policy 1.7).
  • Requires culminating experience (format varies).

Creation and modification:

A doctoral degree has a minimum of 90 credits and may have a research or a practice focus. The requirements and structure of the doctoral degree are governed by Policy 1.1 and Policy 1.3. A doctoral program is subject to academic program review Policy 1.8.

Research doctoral degree (primarily PhD) characteristics:

  • Focus on preparation for the creation of new knowledge through research or through the development of new modes of thought or expression.
  • Distinct notation on the transcript as well as the diploma.
  • Requires a doctoral supervisory committee.
  • Includes general exam, candidacy status, and dissertation defense.
  • Dissertation is submitted to the Graduate School and published.

Practice doctorate degree characteristics:

  • Intended as preparation for professional practice at the frontiers of existing knowledge.
  • Distinct notation on the transcript as well as the diploma.
  • Requires a doctoral supervisory committee.
  • No general exam, candidacy status, or dissertation defense.
  • Requires final project or capstone which is approved by the doctoral committee.

Creation and modification:

A degree option is a course of study under an existing degree program. The requirements and structure of a graduate degree option are governed by Policy 1.3. A degree option subject to academic program review (Policy 1.8) as part review of the degree program it is part of.

Degree option characteristics:

  • Distinct notation on the transcript, but not on the diploma.
  • Curriculum has at least 50%: overlap in content and outcomes from other degree options under the same degree.
  • Admissions may be directly to the degree option or to the overarching degree.

Creation and modification:

A graduate certificate has a minimum of 15 credits and includes a capstone or unifying experience. The requirements and structure of a graduate certificate are governed by Policy 1.2. A graduate certificate is subject to academic program review (Policy 1.8).

Graduate Certificate characteristics:

  • Curriculum provides a coherent course of study and culminates in a capstone or equivalent unifying experience.
  • Component courses are transcripted graduate courses.
  • Graduate certificate completion results in a distinct notation on the transcript, but not on the diploma.
  • Students are matriculated graduate students, either through enrollment in another graduate degree program or by direct enrollment in the graduate certificate. If directly matriculated in the graduate certificate, the UW graduate admissions process is required.

Creation and modification:

A stacked degree provides for flexible entry to graduate education for students who would benefit from a graduate certificate credential and who may or may not ultimately pursue a graduate degree. The requirements and structure of the stacked degree are governed by Policy 1.4. A stacked degree and its component graduate certificates are subject to academic program review Policy 1.8. See Proposing a New Program for more information.

Stacked degree characteristics:

  • The graduate degree is subject to Policy 1.1.
  • Each graduate certificate is subject to Policy 1.2.
  • Includes distinct notation on the transcript of each component graduate certificate as well as the graduate degree. Only the graduate degree appears on the diploma.
  • The degree has a distinct curriculum, with less than 50% overlap in content and outcomes from other graduate degree programs.
  • Can be research-focused or practice-focused (Policy 1.7).
  • Requires culminating experience.

Creation and modification:

A combined undergraduate/graduate (CUG) program provides a seamless transition from a UW undergraduate program into a UW graduate program. The requirements and structure of the combined undergraduate/graduate (CUG) program are governed by Policy 1.6. A CUG program is subject to academic program review Policy 1.8 as part of the component graduate degree.

CUG degree characteristics:

  • Requires strong advising and coordinated guidance from the undergraduate and graduate programs.
  • Students complete all requirements of both the undergraduate and the graduate degree programs.
  • Up to 12 credits taken as an undergraduate may apply to the graduate degree.
  • Students are matriculated undergraduate students until completion of the undergraduate degree, after which they may enroll as graduate students.

Creation and modification:

  • If the graduate degree already exists: Creation requires Graduate School administrative review and approval.
  • If the graduate degree or degree option is new or changed: follows the appropriate process described under the degree type above.
  • Proposing a new Combined Undergraduate/Graduate degree

A concurrent degree consists of two UW degrees pursued simultaneously. The requirements and structure of concurrent degrees are governed by Policy 1.5. A concurrent degree program is subject to academic program review (Policy 1.8) as part review of each of the component degrees.

Concurrent degree characteristics:

  • Degree requirements for each degree must be met in full, with some coursework applied to both degrees.
  • Results in conferral of two distinct graduate degrees or of a graduate degree and a professional degree.
  • Formal concurrent degree
    • Consists of two degrees with a coordinated curriculum proposed by the academic unit(s) and approved by the Graduate School.
    • Significant coordination and credit sharing is allowed.
    • Proposing a new Concurrent Degree
  • Informal concurrent degree
    • Consists of two degrees pursued simultaneously by a student, but without a coordinated curriculum approved by the Graduate School.
    • Limited credit sharing is allowed with the approval of both degree programs.

Many graduate programs throughout the university allow for substantial interdisciplinary research and training. In addition, there are a number of inter-school/college interdisciplinary degree programs housed in the Graduate School. Graduate School Policy 4.4 outlines the creation and function of Graduate School interdisciplinary committees and groups.

Joint/Dual degrees between two units at UW

  • The UW currently does not support joint degrees between units (where a single degree is earned for work done in each unit). Faculty members and students of existing departments or programs who are interested in coordinating two degree programs should follow the guidelines for concurrent degrees.

Joint/Dual degrees between the UW and other institutions

  • The UW currently does not support joint degrees with other institutions (where a single degree is earned, endorsed by two institutions, for work done at both institutions). Dual degree programs may be established by degree-offering units with other institutions in close coordination with the Graduate School’s Office of Academic Affairs & Planning and, when appropriate, with the Office of Global Affairs. See guidelines for new international collaborations.
  • The Graduate School does not support agreements where a single body of academic work is recognized with the granting of two distinct degrees from different institutions, including submission of a dissertation to UW that is also submitted at another institution for a doctoral degree. There is, however, wide latitude for faculty and students to pursue coordinated research and mentoring across institutions. Some examples are: jointly conducted research; doctoral committees with members from different institutions; coordinated faculty mentorship across institutions; and residency and work at multiple universities. These are all readily implemented under current Graduate School policies and procedures. These types of individual interactions should be managed at the unit or college/school level and do not need central Graduate School approval beyond normal approval of the doctoral committee and acceptance of the thesis.

Faculty developing an international collaboration involving a graduate degree or certificate program should reach clarity around the questions below as part of initial planning. Initial planning must include discussions with unit leadership (chair/dean/chancellor).

Once initial planning is complete, program proposers follow the Guidelines for New International Collaborations. This process includes submitting the International Agreement Proposal Form to the Office of Global Affairs and contacting the Graduate School’s Office of Academic Affairs (gsacad@uw.edu). Early contact with the Office of Academic Affairs is essential for successful program development.

Key considerations when planning international collaborations for UW graduate programs

Academics

  • Alignment with existing degree programs and requirements.
    1. Does the program match existing UW degree program requirements or is this a new/modified degree, degree option, or certificate? See Proposing/Changing Programs.
    2. Any student receiving a UW degree must fulfill all UW degree requirements, but some requirements may be fulfilled by approved work at another institution. Is there overlap in academic content between the UW and international program?
      • If yes, what activity (coursework, research) from the international institution will be recognized towards UW degree requirements?
      • If yes, how will any recognized activity from international institution be integrated into the UW program (e.g., waiver of credits, fulfillment of competency requirements)?
      • If yes, how will the program assure equivalency in course content and expectations?
    3. How is this program distinct from existing programs with regard to student audience, admissions criteria, or program demand?
  • Faculty oversight and staff resources
    1. What UW faculty will oversee the program and how will the UW program assure appropriate student oversight and mentoring?
    2. What faculty and staff resources will be required and how will these be supported?
    3. What additional institutional support or infrastructure will be needed?
    4. How will ongoing coordination with the partner institution be structured at the faculty and staff level?

Logistics

  • Tuition, fees, and budget
    1. Will program be self-supporting through fees or will regular tuition be charged?
  • Student flow, including application and graduation
    1. When will students apply to the UW program, and how does this align with admission to the international program?
    2. When will students be granted the degree from each institution (after completion of each set degree requirements, or will all degrees be withheld until completion of both programs)?
    3. Will students be enrolled as UW students throughout the program? If not, what is the sequencing?
    4. How many students will be accommodated per year?
  • Student Visas. Discussions may include Graduate Enrollment Management Services and International Student Services.
  • Financial Aid. Discussions may include Office of Student Financial Aid.