Degree Requirements

Students come under the academic requirements of the University catalog in effect at the time of matriculation. Normally, these requirements must be completed within five years from the date of first attendance. A student may choose to fulfill graduation requirements of a newer catalog but may not revert to the original catalog once the change is made.

Coursework at the graduate level is held to a higher caliber than undergraduate work. Graduate work requires more research skills, more in-depth and applied knowledge, and mastery of a field or discipline. Therefore, Saint Leo University will not apply undergraduate coursework towards graduate coursework. In addition, to be admitted into a graduate degree program, a student must have earned a four-year bachelor's degree; therefore, no graduate-level work may be applied toward an undergraduate degree.

In addition to time spent in class, Saint Leo University courses are designed to require at least 30 hours of work to be completed outside of class time per credit hour earned. This work includes reading, homework, and completing papers and other assignments. For a three credit hour course students should expect to commit 90 hours of time outside of class in order to be prepared and meet course expectations.

The following are the requirements that students must complete to earn a degree in their discipline.

Master of Accounting 

1. Complete a minimum of 30 graduate semester hours;
2. Successfully complete all courses in the MAcc core curriculum;
3. Maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.00 with no more than two grades of C in required coursework;
4. Demonstrate competence in reading, writing, oral communication, and computational skills;
5. Fulfill the residency requirement of 24 graduate semester hours;
6. Satisfy all financial obligations to the University; and
7. Apply for graduation in the office of Graduate Business Studies.

Master of Business Administration

1. Complete a minimum of 36 graduate semester hours;
2. Successfully complete all courses in the MBA core curriculum;
3. Attain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.00 with no more than two grades of C in required coursework;
4. Demonstrate competence in reading, writing, oral communication, and computational skills;
5. Fulfill the residency requirement of 30 graduate semester hours;
6. Satisfy all financial obligations to the University; and
7. Apply for graduation in the office of Graduate Business Studies.

Master of Business Administration One-Year International & Experiential

1. Complete a minimum of 42 graduate semester hours;
2. Successfully complete all courses in the MBA core curriculum;
3. Attain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.00 with no more than two grades of C in required coursework;
4. Demonstrate competence in reading, writing, oral communication, and computational skills;
5. Fulfill the residency requirement of 30 graduate semester hours;
6. Satisfy all financial obligations to the University; and
7. Apply for graduation in the office of Graduate Business Studies.

Master of Science in Cybersecurity

1. Complete a minimum of 36 graduate semester hours in the MS program;
2. Attain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.00 with no more than two grades of C in required coursework;
3. Fulfill the residency requirement of 30 graduate semester hours;
4. Satisfy all financial obligations to the University; and
5. Apply for graduation in the office of Graduate Business Studies.

Doctor of Business Administration in Management

1. Complete a minimum of 57 graduate semester hours in the DBA program.
2. Attain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.25 with no more than 1 grade of C in required coursework.
3. Demonstrate competence in reading, writing, oral communication, and research skills.
4. Successfull complete and defend dissertation within 7 years from the start of the program.
5. Satisfy all financial obligations to the University; and
6. Apply for graduation in the office of Graduate Business Studies

Master of Science in Criminal Justice

1. Complete a minimum of 36 graduate semester hours;
2. Successfully complete all courses in the criminal justice core curriculum;
3. Attain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.00 with no more than two grades of C in required coursework;
4. Successfully complete a comprehensive project;
5. Demonstrate competence in reading, writing, oral communication, and computational skills;
6. Fulfill the residency requirement of 30 graduate semester hours;
7. Satisfy all financial obligations to the University; and
8. Apply for graduation in the office of Graduate Criminal Justice Studies.

Master of Science in Critical Incident Management

1. Complete a minimum of 36 graduate semester hours;
2. Successfully complete all courses in the critical incident management core curriculum;
3. Attain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.00 with no more than two grades of C in required coursework;
4. Successfully complete a comprehensive project;
5. Demonstrate competence in reading, writing, oral communication, and computational skills;
6. Fulfill the residency requirement of 33 graduate semester hours;
7. Satisfy all financial obligations to the University; and
8. Apply for graduation in the office of Graduate Studies in Criminal Justice.

Master of Education
Master of Science in Instructional Design
Education Specialist

1. Complete a minimum of 36 to 42 graduate semester hours or the minimum specified in the student's degree program;
2. Successfully complete all courses in the core curriculum and applicable concentration;
3. Attain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.00 with no more than two grades of C in required coursework;
4. Pass the Florida Educational Leadership Examination for the M.Ed. in Educational Leadership program;
5. Pass the appropriate State of Florida ESOL requirements and Certification Test(s) (Professional Education Exam, General Knowledge Exam, and/or Subject Area Exam for ESE, Reading, or MAT);
6. Fulfill the residency requirement of 30–33 graduate semester hours as outlined in the student's degree program;
7. Demonstrate competence in reading, writing, oral communication, and computational skills;
8. Satisfy all financial obligations to the University; and
9. Apply for graduation to the office of Graduate Studies in Education.

Master of Social Work

1. Complete 62 graduate semester hours as prescribed by the program of study for the two-year and three-year programs and 32 graduate semester hours for the advanced standing program;
2. Successfully complete all courses in the required curriculum;
3. Maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 each semester of the program;
4. Exhibit clear thinking and competence in written and oral expression;
5. Exhibit evidence of emotional maturity, concern for people, and capacity for self-awareness and personal growth;
6. Follow acceptable standards of professional conduct according to the NASW code of ethics, effective integration of practice skills necessary for professional social work practice, and satisfactory academic standing;
7. Satisfy all financial obligations to the University;
8. Apply for graduation to the MSW Graduate Office.

Master of Arts in Theology

1. Complete a minimum of 36 graduate semester hours;
2. Successfully complete all courses in the theology core curriculum and four electives;
3. Attain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.00 with no more than two grades of C in required coursework;
4. Demonstrate competence in reading, writing, oral communication, and computational skills;
5. Fulfill the residency requirement of 30 graduate semester hours;
6. Satisfy all financial obligations to the University; and
7. Apply for graduation in the office of Graduate Theology.