Graduate Milestones

MAF DEGREE REQUIREMENTS
  MMA JOINT/MMA (RISD,RWU,OCG) MAMA PhD
Typical time 2-4 semesters 2-3 semesters 4 semesters 6-10 semesters
Core Courses** MAF 511, MAF 577, MAF 651, EEC/REN 514 MAF 511, MAF 577, MAF 651, EEC/REN 514 MAF 482, MAF 502, MAF 511, MAF 577, MAF 651,EEC/REN 514 MAF 482, MAF 502, MAF 511, MAF 577, MAF 651, EEC/REN 514, MAF 650 (x2)
Core courses credits 12 12 18 20
Elective course credits*** 15 9 15 at least 24 (typically transferred credits from previous masters count toward elective requirement)            * Note 400 level courses may not count toward PhD credit requirements
major project (MAF 589), thesis credits, or research credits 3 (MAF 589) 3 (MAF 589) 6 (MAF 599)
20 (MAF 699)
* Note PhD students may only take 6 credits of MAF 699 before passing comps
Notes   6 credits are transferred in Non-thesis MAMA take MAF 598 *(up to 30 may transfer from masters, 6 additional with petition)
Total Required Credits 30 30 39 64
MILESTONES
Major advisor selected Typically end of 1st semester Typically end of 1st semester Typically beginning of 2nd semester Typically beginning of 2nd semester
Big Picture Meeting N/A N/A N/A During 3rd Semester
Committee established N/A N/A  With or before program of study and/or proposal approval  With or before program of study and/or proposal approval
Committee makeup N/A N/A 2 MAF, 1 outside, 1 chair (outside), may have additional members 2 MAF, 1 Outside, (Orals  +1 Outside), may have additional members
         
Credit transfers N/A 6 from joint program N/A with Program of Study below
Program of Study End of 1st Semester End of 3rd semester End of 3rd semester End of 3rd semester
Comp Exam N/A N/A N/A Within 12 months of completing core courses
Proposal approval by committee End of 1st semester (major paper proposal) End of 1st semester (major paper proposal) Before submission to grad school, typically end of 2nd semester Before submission to grad school, typically end of 4th semester
IRB Approval Depends on topic/methods Depends on topic/methods After proposal approved by committee and >6 months before graduating (if necessary) After proposal approved by committee and >6 months before graduating (if necessary)
Proposal Approval by grad school N/A N/A At least 1 semester before graduation Before end of 7th semester
Nomination for graduation beginning of final semester beginning of final semester beginning of final semester beginning of final semester
Defense/presentation N/A N/A ~1 month before graduation 1-2 months before graduation
Final copy of Project/Thesis/Dissertation N/A N/A ~2 weeks before graduation ~2 weeks before graduation

MAF 511 – Marine Science and Ocean Uses (Fall)
MAF 577 – International Ocean Law (Fall)
MAF 651 – Marine Affairs Seminar (Fall)
MAF 482 – Quantitative Methods in Marine Affairs (Spring)
MAF 502 – Research Methods in Marine Affairs (Spring)
EEC 514 – Economics of Marine Resources (Spring)

Graduate Manual