Significance of Course Numbers

Five-thousand-level (5000-5999) courses are master’s courses. Undergraduate students may be admitted to five-thousand-level courses if they have completed the stated prerequisite(s) or with the written permission of the instructor, chair of the department, director of the school, or dean of the college in which the course is offered. Five-thousand-level courses (5000-5999) cannot be required in an undergraduate program. Five-thousand-level (5000-5999) courses can be offered as optional electives in undergraduate programs as long as undergraduate students have a choice to take a five-thousand-level elective or a below five-thousand-level elective. 

Seven-thousand-level (7002-7999) courses are doctoral courses. Qualified master’s students may enroll in seven-thousand-level courses if they have completed the stated prerequisite(s) or with the written permission of the instructor, chairperson of the department, director of the school, or dean of the college in which the course is offered. Thesis and dissertation courses (7000 and 9000) are specifically used for completion of theses and dissertations and these courses cannot be used as electives in a certificate or degree program. Requests for exceptions may be approved by the dean of the Graduate School. In addition, other courses cannot replace 7000 or 9000 for degree requirements.