The Program offers two possible Master of Science degrees: a research master's degree with a thesis based on independent research (Plan A) and a coursework master's degree with a critical paper (Plan B), the Plan B master's is considered a terminal degree that does not lead to a Ph.D. Requirements for the Plan A master's include 21 credits of formal courses including a public seminar, 9 credits of independent research, a thesis based on independent research, and an oral defense of the thesis. Requirements for the Plan B master's include 30 credits of formal courses including a public seminar, a critical paper, and an oral defense of the critical paper. Most students will complete an MS degree in 2-3 years full time, while part time students take twice as long.