University Senate Proposed: December 17, 2004

Adopted

RESOLUTION TO APPROVE A PROPOSAL FOR AN M.S. IN BUSINESS RESEARCH
IN THE GRADUATE SCHOOL OF BUSINESS

WHEREAS the Graduate School of Business has identified a small population of Ph.D. candidates that would be well served by the M.S. in Business Research; and

WHEREAS the proposed degree requirements are consistent with M.S. requirements in other divisions of the University, including successful completion of a divisional examination; and

WHEREAS such a degree would recognize the area of expertise acquired by students in their coursework; and

WHEREAS such a degree at peer business schools is becoming increasingly common;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the University Senate approve the proposal to award the Master of Science in Business Research to Ph.D. candidates who have successfully completed 36 points of approved coursework in one of the divisions of the Graduate School of Business and who have successfully completed the required divisional examination in that field, with the proviso that the Education Committee will review the program in five years.

Proponent:

Education Committee

ABSTRACT

The Graduate School of Business proposes to award the M.S. in Business Research, a degree to be offered to students leaving the Ph.D. program after two years. Requiring
36 points of approved graduate coursework in one of the five divisions of the Business School, plus successful completion of the appropriate divisional examination, plus, in some cases, a major research project, such a professional degree will confer a credential appropriate to students’ completed work. This credential will be preferred over the
M. Phil degree currently awarded to students who complete all the coursework required for the Ph.D. but who do not complete the doctorate. No students will be admitted directly as candidates for the M.S. in Business Research. It is anticipated that only a few students admitted each year to the Ph.D. program will subsequently choose to alter their academic plans and complete only the requirements for the M.S.