Candidates for the master of arts (M.A.) or master of science (M.S.) degree must satisfy the requirements of the Graduate School–New Brunswick and those of their particular program. The requirements of the Graduate School–New Brunswick are given below, and additional requirements established by various program faculties may be found in the Programs, Faculty, and Courses chapter. Certain programs have a foreign language requirement.

The minimum requirement to earn the master's degree is 30 credits of successful graduate study in coursework. The candidate also must pass a comprehensive examination in his or her field of concentration or, in some programs, an alternative culminating paper or project. In some programs, a research project culminating in a thesis may be required. This thesis project usually replaces 6 credits of regular graduate courses normally taken in a nonthesis program. The 30 credits, representing at least one academic year of advanced study, must be completed no later than three years after first registration unless an extension of time is granted by the Graduate School–New Brunswick. For further information, see Time Limits for Degrees later in this chapter.

The student's registration in the Graduate School–New Brunswick must be continuous from the time of admission to graduate study until the time the degree is conferred. In fulfilling course requirements, courses may be selected from a single program or from several related programs. All programs of study are subject to review by the dean of the Graduate School–New Brunswick.