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.

For graduate degrees, students may seek concurrently up to two majors/specializations. After conferral of a Saint Leo University graduate degree, a student may take courses at Saint Leo University to earn a different degree, second major, or second specialization. For example, if a student earns a Master of Arts degree, he or she may return and earn a Master of Science degree. A student may apply to obtain a second degree in a major different from that of the first degree. If a student has already earned a graduate degree and wishes to obtain a second degree, he or she must meet the admission criteria for that second degree and go through the admission process. 

In order to earn a second master's degree or specialization a minimum of 15 additional credit hours in residence are required.

If the student returns and pursues a new major under his or her existing degree program, he or she does not earn another degree and is not degree-seeking. Financial Aid is only available to students that are active in a degree-seeking program. 

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

The conferral or completion date is based on the completion of all required items listed below.   Saint Leo University will not release a diploma, transcript or confirm completion of a degree until all financial obligations are paid in full.

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 academic residency requirement of 24 graduate semester hours;
6. Apply for graduation.

Master of Business Administration

1. Complete a minimum of 33 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 academic residency requirement of 30 graduate semester hours;
6. Apply for graduation.

Master of Business Administration One-Year International & Experiential

1. Complete a minimum of 39 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 academic residency requirement of 36 graduate semester hours;
6. Apply for graduation.

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 academic residency requirement of 30 graduate semester hours;
4. Apply for graduation.

Master of Science in Software Engineering

1. Complete a minimum of 30 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 academic residency requirement of 24 graduate semester hours;
4. Apply for graduation.

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. Fulfill the academic residency requirement as part of DBA-705, DBA-736, andDBA-770
5. Successfully complete and defend dissertation within 7 years from the start of the program.
6. Apply for graduation.

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 academic residency requirement of 30 graduate semester hours;
7. Apply for graduation.

Master of Science in Emergency and Disaster Management

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 academic residency requirement of 30 graduate semester hours;
7. Apply for graduation.

Doctor of Criminal Justice

1. Complete a minimum of 60 graduate semester hours in the Doctor of Criminal Justice (DCJ) program
2. Attain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 0or higher with no more than one (1) grade of C in required coursework
3. Demonstrate competence in reading, writing, oral communications, and research skills
4. Fulfill the academic residency requirement of 54 doctoral semester hours;
5. Successfully complete and defend the dissertation within 7 years from the start of the program
6. Apply for graduation

Master of Education

Educational Leadership

Exceptional Student Education

Reading

1. Complete a minimum of 30 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 required subject area examine (FELE, Reading or ESE)
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 academic residency requirement of 30-36 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.

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. Fulfill the academic residency requirement of 30-36 post-graduate semester hours as outlined in the student's degree program;
5. Demonstrate competence in reading, writing, oral communication, and computational skills;
6. Satisfy all financial obligations to the University; and
7. Apply for graduation to the office of Graduate Studies in Education.

Instructional Leadership

1. Complete a minimum of 30 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. Fulfill the residency requirement of 30-36 graduate semester hours as outlined in the student's degree program;
5. Demonstrate competence in reading, writing, oral communication, and computational skills;
6. Satisfy all financial obligations to the University; and
7. Apply for graduation to the office of Graduate Studies in Education.

Master of Science in Instructional Design

1. Complete a minimum of 36 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. Fulfill the residency requirement of 36 graduate semester hours as outlined in the student's degree program;
5. Demonstrate competence in reading, writing, oral communication, and computational skills;
6. Satisfy all financial obligations to the University; and
7. Apply for graduation to the office of Graduate Studies in Education.

Master of Science in Human Service Administration

1. Complete 36 graduate semester hours as prescribed by the program of study;
2. Successfully complete all courses in the required curriculum as sequenced;
3. Maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 each semester with no more than 2 grades of C in the required coursework;
4. Demonstrate appropriate professional behavior, competence in reading and writing, and oral expression;
5. Demonstrate the ability to interact according to the ethical standards of the National Organization for Human Services;
6. Adhere to the academic standards established by the Council on Standards for Human Services Education;
7. Fulfill the academic residency requirement of 30 graduate semester hours;
8. Satisfy all financial obligations to the University;
9. Apply for graduation to the Office of Graduate Studies.

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. Fulfill the academic residency requirement in the final year of the program 
8. Apply for graduation.

Master of Arts in Creative Writing

1. Complete 36 graduate semester hours in the M.A. program;
2. Attain a minimum cumulative G.P.A. of 3.25 with no more than one grade of C in required coursework;
3. Demonstrate competence in reading, writing, oral communication, and research skills;
4. Successfully complete and defend the creative thesis within five years from the start of the program; 
5. Fulfill the academic 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 Studies.

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 three 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 academic residency requirement of 30 graduate semester hours;
6. Apply for graduation.

Masters of Science in Psychology

1. Complete 36 graduate semester hours in the M.S. program;
2. Attain a minimum cumulative G.P.A. of 3.25 with no more than one grade of C in required coursework;
3. Demonstrate competence in reading, writing, oral communication,  and research skills;
4. Successful completion of  the Capstone Thesis Project;  
5. Satisfy all financial obligations to the University;
6. Fulfill the academic residency requirement of 30 graduate semester hours; and
7. Apply for graduation..