COURSE CURRICULUM

At the undergraduate level, programs like Secondary Education (BSEd), Social Work (BSW), Spanish (BA), Studio Art (BA/BFA), Theatre (BA/BFA), Sport Management (BS), and similar majors all require about 120 credit hours and combine general education with major-specific coursework. The BFA versions in Studio Art and Theatre are more intensive than the BA versions, focusing heavily on studio, performance, or production work, often requiring auditions, portfolios, capstones, and multiple concentration areas. In contrast, BA programs (like Spanish or Theatre BA) are more flexible and academic, often requiring minors and broader elective structures. Social Work and Sport Management are professionally oriented but still undergraduate-level, emphasizing field experience like internships, practicums, and applied learning.Graduate programs begin to specialize further. Professional master’s degrees like the Master of Accountancy, MBA, MS in Business Analytics, MS in Athletic Training, and MS in Applied Statistics are structured around career preparation and industry skills rather than broad academics. These usually range from about 30–60 credit hours. For example, MSBA is a 30-credit, two-semester intensive analytics program focused on predictive modeling and data tools, while the MBA is broader (51–57 credits) and builds leadership, finance, marketing, and management skills with a focused area of study. Athletic Training (MSAT) is more clinical and requires observation hours, certifications, and strict technical standards due to healthcare responsibilities.Research-oriented master’s programs like Anthropology MA, Biological Sciences MS, and Art History MA emphasize independent research, thesis or capstone requirements, and academic progression toward PhD or specialized careers. These typically require proposals, exams, and faculty committees, with MA/MS tracks often split into thesis (Plan I) and non-thesis (Plan II) options depending on research intensity.Creative graduate programs like MFA Book Arts or MA Advertising/Public Relations emphasize portfolio work, studio practice, or strategic communication. The MFA Book Arts is highly studio-intensive (60 credits), while advertising and PR programs offer concentration-based strategic communication training.Overall, the key differences are: undergraduate = broad foundational education, BFA/BS = professional undergraduate specialization, MA/MS = advanced academic or professional specialization, and MFA = terminal creative practice degree, while MBA/MSBA/MAcc are industry-focused professional graduate degrees designed for immediate career advancement.