Academic Catalog

A student may pursue two master's degrees at the same time, with the permission of both programs. To do so, the student must be admitted to both programs. Students can count up to 9 units or 25% of course work, whichever is greater, common in both programs.

Units Required for Master's Degree Programs

Each master’s degree program at NAU requires a minimum of 30 credit units. Many master’s degree programs require more than 30 credit units.

Academic Requirements for Master's Degree Programs

All master’s degree programs must adhere to the academic requirements and criteria outlined by their program and NAU policy 100811: Requirements for Master’s Degrees. For concurrent degrees, students must maintain these standards simultaneously for both degrees.

Time Limits for Completion and Transfer Credits

Students must complete all requirements for their master's degrees within a six-year period. 

If students take courses from other institutions and transfer the courses to their program at Northern Arizona University, the courses must be also taken within the six-year period. However, an exception to the 6-year time limit may be granted by the Office of Graduate & Professional Studies, with proper approval from the academic unit or program, through a request in writing to the Associate Vice Provost of the Office of Graduate and Professional Studies. For more information about transfer credit, see NAU Policy 100336, which includes an explanation of regulations governing transfer credit for master's degrees.  

If a student has earned graduate credit at NAU that was not applied toward a previously completed NAU degree, they may petition to apply this credit toward one of their current graduate degrees. These petitions must receive faculty, academic unit administrator, and Office of Graduate & Professional Studies approval. The courses to be applied must have been successfully completed within the time period required for completing the current degree or certificate. However, an exception to the 6-year time limit may be granted by the Office of Graduate & Professional Studies, with proper approval from the academic unit or program, through a request in writing to the Associate Vice Provost of the Office of Graduate and Professional Studies. 

To request an extension of the six-year limit, either for completion of the degree or applying previously earned graduate credit for courses completed beyond the time limit, students must submit a "Petition for Extension of Time Limit for Master's Degree" form to the Office of Graduate & Professional Studies. This form, available on the Office of Graduate & Professional Studies website, must be endorsed by the student's advisor and department chair. The Office of Graduate & Professional Studies Dean or Associate Dean makes the final decision.

The Office of Graduate & Professional Studies may grant students one extension of time for up to one year to complete degree requirements if there are compelling extenuating circumstances. The reasons for which the Office of Graduate & Professional Studies may grant an extension include, but are not limited to, job relocation, military duty, pregnancy, illness, a serious accident, divorce, or other life-impacting events within the student's immediate household.  

Discuss options with a graduate advisor in each of the programs.

Obtain the permission of both programs.

After obtaining permission, apply to both programs; students must be admitted to both programs.

Graduate students may petition for an exception to any academic, non-grade-related, graduate regulation for which no specific appeal or petition process exists. Petitions should be submitted, in writing, to the Associate Vice Provost of the Office of Graduate and Professional Studies. When applicable, the student’s advisor and department chair may endorse the petition letter. In some specific instances, utilizing the Academic Appeal and University Graduate Committee Hearing Panel is more appropriate. 

Students should contact the Associate Vice Provost of the Office of Graduate and Professional Studies for clarification on which process to initiate.