Auburn University Master's Programs: A Comprehensive Overview

Auburn University offers a diverse range of master's programs across various disciplines, catering to students with varied academic and professional goals. With over 200 graduate degree programs and more than 400 program options across 12 different colleges, Auburn provides opportunities for advanced study and specialization. These programs are designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary to excel in their chosen fields, whether through research-oriented thesis options or practice-based non-thesis tracks.

General Requirements for Master's Degrees

The minimum requirements for most master’s degrees can be satisfied in one academic year of two semesters or nine months. In practice, however, many students need three semesters or longer. Certain departments have special requirements as outlined in this Bulletin. In addition, those students who hold assistantships or fellowships, those who engage in time-consuming work off-campus, or those with scholastic deficiencies of any sort cannot meet all requirements in the minimum time. Also, research is unpredictable and frequently requires more time than anticipated. All graduate work toward a master’s degree must be completed within a period of six calendar years.

Advisory Committee

Early in the graduate program, each student should confer with the appropriate departmental advisor or major professor to select courses and discuss research interests. Use the program or department's plan of study worksheet to plan for courses, transfer courses, exceptions, requirements, and/or graduation. Prepare a plan of study worksheet and have it approved by the advisory committee and department head or chair. The student works under the direction of an advisory committee composed of three members recommended by the appropriate department/program head or chair. Two must be members of the Auburn University graduate faculty. Note, only a major professor is required for Master's Non-Thesis, course-only degree options. If change(s) in the committee makeup are required (either chair or member(s)), the committee chair (for committee makeup) and/or department head (for chair changes) should assist the student in identifying replacement members. Please note that a student must have a full committee (committee chair and at least the minimum number of qualified committee members) in order to continue in the program after the CTEC form has been submitted. The committee chair (or one of the co-chairs) must be a graduate faculty member in the department/program granting the degree. This committee will approve the student’s program of study, plan of study worksheet, conduct required examinations and direct the required field project or thesis. Students in a teaching field (e.g., music education, science education, foreign language education) work under a committee composed of at least two members from the College of Education and one member from a related academic field. The names of the committee members are submitted through the Committee, Transfers, Exceptions, and Candidacy (CTEC) Form.

Language Proficiency

Language requirements for graduate degrees vary with departments. The Department of Foreign Languages offers proficiency courses in a number of languages. The department also offers reading proficiency examinations for those students who wish to demonstrate proficiency without taking a course.

Thesis Option

The following general regulations are minimum requirements. The professor or committee in charge of a student’s work may require more than the specified minimum in order to achieve a well-rounded program. The master of arts, master of science and master of industrial design are offered under the thesis option. A student under the thesis option must earn a minimum of 30 semester hours, of which at least 21 semester hours must be in a major area of concentration. If a student has not met all undergraduate pre-requisites in any field chosen for major or minor work, these should be scheduled as soon as possible, preferably before graduate work begins. The topic selected for the thesis must be approved by the student’s major professor and advisory committee. The student conducts the research and prepares the thesis under the direction of the major professor. The course, Research and Thesis, is number 7990 in all departments. The student must register for a minimum of four credit hours of this course but may register for as many hours as desired. No more than six hours may be counted toward meeting degree requirements. The student may register for one or more hours at a time. Submission of a thesis is defined as the time at which the first complete draft of such is submitted to the major professor for review. The Graduate School format checks and accepts only theses prepared according to the ETD Guide. The Graduate School Calendar lists the semester deadline for acceptance of final approved theses. If the electronic thesis needs corrections, the student’s graduation may be delayed at least one semester. Auburn University reserves the right to make copies of the thesis, but the student retains all publication rights. At the discretion of the program, students may be required to pass a comprehensive examination independent of the required thesis defense. The major professor will schedule the thesis defense not later than the deadline indicated in the Graduate School calendar. The thesis defense should be open to members of the graduate faculty as visitors. Successful completion of the thesis defense requires the unanimous support of all members of the advisory committee. If a student fails the thesis defense, one re-examination may be given on the recommendation of the advisory committee and approval by the Dean of the Graduate School.

Comprehensive Examination

At the discretion of the program, students may be required to pass a comprehensive examination. If a program requires a comprehensive examination, the program will publish and submit to the Graduate School a description of the scope and form of the assessment (e.g., comprehensive oral or written examination) and the process for appeal or re-examination should the student fail the examination. Non-thesis graduate students who complete a special project must register for 7980 in semesters when working on the project. Non-thesis students requiring only a final examination register for GRAD 7000 in the semester when the exam is taken.

Concurrent Master's Degrees

Auburn University offers a number of approved concurrent master’s degree programs, which are specially designed to offer outstanding Auburn graduate students the opportunity to earn two master’s degrees in less time and cost than usual by allowing students to double count or share more credit hours than allowed for a second master’s degree. Such programs require students to be enrolled concurrently in both degrees. They may share up to 9 credit hours if the total hours for both degrees sum to 65 or less. Or they may share up to 12 credit hours if the total hours for both degrees sum to 66 or more.

Specific Master's Programs

Auburn University offers a wide array of master's programs tailored to diverse fields of study. Here's an overview of some of the programs available:

Accounting

The online MAcc program offers the same instruction, faculty, assignments, and exams as your campus peers. Need additional courses to meet the educational requirements for the CPA Exam or the prerequisites for a graduate accounting program?

Administration of Elementary and Secondary Education

Interested in becoming an instructional leader or administrator in a K-12 setting? Our Administration of Elementary and Secondary Education program prepares engaged, collaborative, and effective administrators by integrating theory, reflection, and applied leadership.

Read also: Auburn Student Statistics

Adult Education

M.Ed. Adult Education programs and certificates prepare learners for careers in adult education fields.

Aerospace Engineering

M.S. The Department of Aerospace Engineering offers both a thesis and non-thesis Master of Science, which provide students an opportunity to sharpen their skills in aerospace system design, development, manufacturing, maintenance, and operation.

Agricultural Education

M.Ed. (Teacher Certified) | M.S. (Non-Cert) | Ed.S. Prepare for careers in agriculture through outreach training and field experiences in content areas such as animal science, horticulture, agronomy and soils, agricultural economics, agricultural mechanics, forestry, environmental science and so much more.

Artificial Intelligence Engineering

M.S. The Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence Engineering program, offered through the Department of Computer Science and Software Engineering, is available online and on campus. The field of artificial intelligence (AI) has evolved into a fast-growing and demanding field, with organizations across many industries seeking to adopt new AI technologies such as machine learning, natural language processing, computer vision, and robotics. Over the last few years, jobs involving these technologies have jumped by almost 75 percent.

Brewing Science and Operations

The Master of Science Program provides additional in-depth study for advanced placement in the craft brewing industry.

Business Administration (MBA)

Our most flexible program, the online MBA is a self-paced alternative for business professionals unable to put their careers on hold. A blend of online and on-campus learning, the executive MBA is structured to accommodate mid-to-late career business professionals. Primarily delivered online for flexibility, this program also offers students a shared learning experience through short on-campus residencies. Auburn Physicians Executive MBA is inspiring physicians to manage the business of healthcare. The Physicians Executive MBA at the Harbert College of Business will reshape your career for new successes. You’ll gain skills in management, finance, and executive leadership that equip you to guide strategy and provide fresh leadership in your practice, clinic, hospital, or healthcare system.

Business/Marketing Education

M.Ed. (Teaching Certified) | M.Ed. Alt (Teaching Certified) | M.S. (Non-Cert) | Ed.S. Build on your undergraduate degree, strengthen your knowledge and abilities, and become a better educator in our Business/Marketing Education master's degree programs. Work with excellent faculty and complete your degree either on campus or online.

Chemical Engineering

M.S. The Master of Science in Chemical Engineering is oriented toward engineering design and practice.

Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling

M.S. (Thesis) | M.C.E. Would you like to work with youth and adults with disabilities? Our program can prepare you to be a rehabilitation counselor. Our graduates work in state and federal vocational rehabilitation programs.

Computer Science and Software Engineering (CSSE)

M.S. (Thesis) | M.S. The Master of Science in CSSE provides both online and on-campus students an opportunity for advanced learning and creative research. Students will further their education through a balanced program in both instruction and research with the goal of achieving excellence in the field of computer science and software engineering. On-campus students may choose the thesis or non-thesis option. Online students can choose a non-thesis (courses only) or, with special permission from the department, the thesis option. They will be able to specialize in areas such as artificial intelligence, computer networks, cybersecurity, databases and data science, human/computer interaction and machine learning.

Crop, Soil and Environmental Sciences

M.S. (Thesis) | M.Ag. Graduate training in this department enables outstanding students to achieve a high level of scholarly attainment in the soil, crop and environmental sciences. Within these broad areas, research training and experience may be gained in the specialized fields of soil fertility and plant nutrition; soil chemistry; soil genesis, morphology and classification; soil mineralogy; soil physics; soil microbiology; plant breeding and genetics; weed science; forage, fiber, bioenergy and grain crop production; crop ecology; environmental quality; and turfgrass management.

Cybersecurity Engineering

Auburn University’s cybersecurity engineering graduate program (i.e., MS-CYBE) prepares students for analyzing, developing, investigating, protecting, and defending the cyber ecosystem of organizations. As such, it focuses on the engineering and technical aspects of cybersecurity.

Data Science

M.S. This is a joint program with the both Auburn’s College of Sciences and Mathematics and the Samuel Ginn College of Engineering that covers the entire spectrum from fundamentals to hands-on applications. The Master of Science in Data Science and Engineering program, offered on campus and online, prepares students to pursue careers in data science and engineering, where valuable insights are derived from massive amounts of raw data.

Early Childhood Education

M.Ed. (Teacher Certified) | M.S. (Non-Cert) | Ed.S. Learn the best approaches for teaching children from pre-kindergarten through grade 3.

Educational Psychology

M.Ed. M.S. Educational Research, Methods, and Evaluation faculty and courses are part of the Educational Psychology Program.

Electrical and Computer Engineering

M.S. (Thesis) | M.S. The Master of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering degree will equip students with the knowledge and experience needed in diverse industries, from power distribution to biomedical research. Our program is available to both online and on-campus students and supports graduate study in control systems and robotics, digital signal processing and communications, wireless engineering, electromagnetics modeling and analysis, microelectronics and microelectromechanical systems (MEMS), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), power systems, digital systems and computer engineering.

Elementary Education

M.Ed. (Teacher Certified) | M.S. Our Elementary Education program prepares teachers to provide appropriate learning experiences that meet the needs, capabilities, and interests of children in grades K-6. Coursework develops students’ knowledge and skills in research-based language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies content.

Engineering Management

The Master of Engineering Management degree is a coursework-only program that allows those who are currently working in an engineering-related field to expand their career potential and earn a degree that will pay dividends toward their future. The non-thesis, interdisciplinary Master of Engineering is tailored to fit each student's specific needs.

English as a Second Language (ESOL) Education

M.Ed. (Teacher Certified) | M.S. Our dynamic program will prepare you to teach and meet the needs of students who speak English as a second language. You’ll receive applied courses by experts in ESOL and a variety of different experiences to help you learn the best ways to teach.

Finance

M.S. Our online MS Finance curriculum covers topics on corporate finance, investments, and financial institutions and markets.

Foreign Language Education

M.Ed. (Teacher Certified) | M.Ed. Alt (Teacher Certified) | M.S. (Non-Cert) | Ed.S. Continue your education in French or Spanish Education in Auburn’s Foreign Language program. Students in the Foreign Language Education study theories of second language acquisition and connect these theories to practical classroom applications. With both undergraduate and graduate programs, the Foreign Language program is a leader in teaching future and current educators.

Horticulture

M.S. M.Ag. The M.Ag. program places greater emphasis on knowledge obtained in the classroom versus that gathered in research. It is offered as a non-thesis degree and prepares students for careers in secondary education, cooperative extension and agribusiness.

Hospitality Management

M.S. This program is designed for busy professionals willing to earn a degree in their free time in their own locale, allowing individuals to balance educational objectives with work and family commitment. The combination of a non-thesis Hospitality Management degree and the distance learning program allows Auburn University to reach out to industry and personnel by extending classrooms beyond the confines of campus. The program offers an interesting blend of theoretical and applied courses created to keep students abreast of current management thinking and practice.

Industrial/Organizational Psychology

Industrial/Organizational (I/O) Psychology focuses on understanding, predicting, and modifying behavior in organizational settings and work environments to address individual, organizational, and group/team challenges. The online Master of Science in I/O Psychology is designed to train students with the knowledge and skills to become I/O practitioners in applied settings. It is a distance education program, and it is delivered totally online and asynchronously.

Industrial and Systems Engineering

Industrial and systems engineers design and improve processes to make work safer, faster, easier and more rewarding in service industries, entertainment companies, shipping and logistics businesses and healthcare organizations. Whether shortening a rollercoaster line, streamlining an operating room, distributing products worldwide or manufacturing superior automobiles, industrial and systems engineers face the challenge and common goal of saving money and increasing efficiency. Students choose the M.S.

Information Systems

M.S. M.S. M.S. Become a leader of your team in information technology with the Harbert College of Business Master of Science in Information Systems (MSIS) online degree. This program is designed to propel you into a leadership position at your current or future organization.

Kinesiology

M.S. (Thesis) | M.S. M.S.

Music Education

M.Ed. | M.S. Our undergraduate music education students start their music teaching journey on day one as freshmen and finish their degree with a full-time music teaching internship.

Nursing

M.N.R. Designed for nurses who are driven to discover, challenge, and lead, the PhD in Nursing Program prepares students to uncover new frontiers in healthcare science, policy, intervention, and technology. The MSN Program is primarily online, but is considered a hybrid program, as students are required to be on campus at specific times. The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Program offers two pathways, BSN-DNP and MSN-DNP, to the terminal practice degree in nursing. The DNP program prepares clinician-scholars to become leaders in advancing evidence-based practice solutions and innovations into clinical practice, improving healthcare outcomes, and strengthening nursing management and education. Graduates of this program have the ability to translate scientific evidence into clinical practice to benefit patients, communities, and health care systems. The MSN Program is primarily online, but is considered a hybrid program, as students are required to be on campus at specific times.

Nutrition

M.S. The online Master of Nutrition program (Distance education option) is a non-thesis degree that offers advanced training in human nutritional sciences for new and experienced professionals in nutrition.

Polymer and Fiber Engineering

There is a strong demand for Auburn Polymer and Fiber Engineering graduates in a wide variety of industries.

Public Administration

The Master of Public Administration program at Auburn University is a NASPAA-accredited program with diverse course offerings, dedicated faculty actively engaged in research and an internship requirement that builds successful leaders for careers in public service. The program offers flexible delivery options, including a traditional, in-person program, as well as an online, asynchronous MPA for students with at least three years of professional experience.

Reading Education

M.S. (Non-Cert) | M.Ed. Auburn’s Reading Education program prepares you for a successful career in reading instruction. You’ll work directly with faculty who helped develop the Alabama Reading Initiative (ARI). In our program, you’ll gain the knowledge and skills you need to help struggling readers succeed.

Real Estate Development

This unique program is offered jointly through the Harbert College of Business and the College of Architecture, Design, and Construction.

School Counseling

M.Ed. Our program prepares you for a career as a professional school counselor in public or private elementary, middle/junior high, and high schools. Our program involves practica and internships related to your career goals.

Secondary Social Science Education

M.Ed. Our program will prepare you to engage 6-12 grade students in exploring historical and contemporary issues of democratic society. We stress theory-based knowledge, teaching skills, and guided practice in public schools. We focus on an inquiry-based approach to teaching and learning.

Social Work

The online MSW is a professional, practice degree program that aims to provide an accessible, flexible and high quality MSW education. Through innovative approaches and multiple learning formats, working professionals can obtain a graduate degree while maintaining full-time employment and balancing family commitments.

Special Education

M.Ed. Enter or advance your career in special education at Auburn University. Enter or advance your career in special education at Auburn University. Enter or advance your career in special education at Auburn University.

Supply Chain Management

Boost your career trajectory with our flexible online Master of Science in Supply Chain Management program. Maintain your professional commitments or personal responsibilities while enhancing your academic credentials.

Communication

The MA in Communication starts with a foundation of theory and research that enables students to build a curriculum that meets their interests and goals. First, all students are required to complete three foundational courses (9 hours). After completing the three foundational courses students are required to take qualifying exams over the material covered in those three required courses. Second, beyond completing the required foundational courses, students are required to take six courses of electives (18 hours). You are able to choose from a variety of courses in communication, public relations, media studies and journalism. Third, in your third semester you will work with a committee to decide which plan of study best fits your academic and professional interests and goals. Students may write a thesis (4 hours). Students may complete an internship and take comprehensive exams (3 hours).

Auburn Global

Even for graduate students, the move to a university in the US can be challenging - there are complicated admissions processes, a new language to learn, and adjustment to a new home. Auburn Global offers challenging graduate programs, small class sizes, a diverse campus experience, and rewarding career opportunities. Click through below to learn more about the entry criteria for our graduate degrees. Auburn Global has four tracks specifically designed to set international graduate students up for success. Our admissions team will place you in the appropriate track for your needs.

tags: #auburn #university #masters #programs #overview