Graduate School

Graduate Learning Objectives (GLOs)

Every graduate program sets Graduate Learning Objectives for students in the program.  These goals are arrived at through an interactive process involving the Graduate Program Committee, the sponsoring department or interdisciplinary committee, and the Graduate School.  GLOs are different for different degrees (master's, PhD).  When different pathways exist for obtaining a degree, GLOs may be different, but within the same degree the GLOs are designed to be equivalent. 

GLOs are different for different programs, as appropriate to the field.  Many PhD programs have adopted a version of the following GLOs:

The PhD Graduate Learning Objectives of our program are:

  1. Demonstrate mastery of the subject matter
  2. Demonstrate advanced research skills (for example, design and execute a research project)
    1. Master application of existing research methodologies and techniques
    2. Critically analyze and evaluate one’s own findings and the findings of others
  3. Make an original and substantial contribution to the discipline
  4. Demonstrate professional skills
    1. Effective written communication skills
    2. Effective oral communication skills
  5. Practice responsible conduct of research (field-appropriate)

Many master's programs have adopted versions of the following GLOs:

When the path to the MS includes a thesis, the MS GLOs of our program are:

  1. Demonstrate proficiency of the subject matter
  2. Demonstrate research skills (e.g. execute a research project)
    1. Apply existing research methodologies and techniques
    2. Critically analyze and evaluate one’s own findings and the findings of others
  3. Make a contribution to the discipline
  4. Demonstrate professional skills
    1. Effective written communication skills
    2. Effective oral communication skills
  5. Practice responsible conduct of research (field-appropriate)

 When the path to the MS includes coursework only, the MS GLOs of our program are:

  1. Demonstrate core proficiency of the subject matter
  2. Demonstrate knowledge of subject matter in selected, elective areas
  3. Demonstrate professional skills
    1. Effective written communication skills
    2. Effective oral communication skills
  4. Practice responsible conduct of the profession (field-appropriate)