Programs of Study

Thank you for your interest in graduate study at Rice University. With a graduate population of approximately 1500, Rice's graduate programs are large enough to offer research topics in several important areas of study, but small enough to offer close personal contact between faculty and students. Our graduate students come to Rice from a wide variety of academic disciplines, cultural and ethnic backgrounds, and from 50 states and more than 82 countries.

Graduate study is offered in two broad categories: (1) research-oriented programs leading to the M.A., M.S., and various doctoral degrees, and (2) professional programs which primarily provide advanced course work and lead to master's degrees in certain specified disciplines. Graduate programs at Rice usually require full-time study.

The degree of Doctor of Philosophy is awarded for original studies in anthropology, applied physics, biochemistry and cell biology, bioengineering, chemistry, computational and applied mathematics, computational science and engineering, computer science, earth science, ecology and evolutionary biology, economics, electrical and computer engineering, engineering (chemical, civil, electrical, and mechanical), English, environmental science and engineering, French studies, geology and geophysics, history, linguistics, materials science and engineering, mathematics, philosophy, physics, political science, psychology, religious studies, space physics and astronomy, and statistics.

The Master of Science degree may be obtained in all engineering fields, computer science, materials science, and space physics and astronomy.

The School of Architecture offers the degrees of Master of Architecture, Master of Architecture in Urban Design, and Doctor of Architecture. Completion of a master's degree requires two or more academic years. The Shepherd School of Music offers the Master of Music (M.M.) and the Doctor of Musical Arts (D.M.A.) degrees. The minimum hourly requirements for the M.Mus. degree vary from 43 to 57 according to major area.

The Jesse H. Jones Graduate School of Business provides programs leading to the degrees of Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.). Completion of the M.B.A. degree requires a minimum of two academic years in residence at Rice and 60 credit hours.  The Jones School also offers doctoral degrees in marketing and finance.

The Master of Arts in Teaching  (M.A.T.) is a professional degree program for students wishing to qualify for secondary-school teaching following a liberal undergraduate education. The program normally requires the completion of 11 advanced courses.

The Rice University Master of Liberal Studies  (MLS) degree program is a part-time, interdisciplinary liberal arts program. The total course of study is 33 credit hours which includes three core courses, 7 electives, and a final CAPSTONE course.