Master's degree
The Higher Institute for Future Studies offers a Master's program as an advanced academic track that aims to develop the research and knowledge capabilities of students in their various specializations. The program focuses on providing students with advanced analytical tools and scientific methodologies, enabling them to conduct in-depth studies and contribute to the development of their fields through research and innovation. The Master's program is designed to be a milestone in the academic and professional path of students, providing them with a comprehensive understanding of contemporary issues and enhancing their ability to provide innovative solutions to current and future challenges. It also qualifies graduates to pursue postgraduate studies at the doctoral level or to integrate effectively into the labor market by applying the acquired knowledge in advanced professional environments.
Admission Requirements for Graduate Programs
To be admitted as a regular student in a graduate program, the applicant must meet the following criteria:
Academic Qualification:
- The applicant must hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university or academic institution.
Minimum GPA Requirement:
- The applicant must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.67 on a 4.0 scale in their bachelor’s degree.
- The GPA in major-specific courses must be at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, or an equivalent qualification.
- Exceptions may be granted to applicants who have previously completed graduate-level courses at a university with a non-degree system, provided that:
- They have completed at least 12 credit hours of graduate coursework.
- Their overall GPA in these graduate courses is at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
- The total study duration in the non-degree system does not exceed four academic semesters (an additional semester may be granted with approval from the Dean of Graduate Studies).
Language Proficiency:
- The applicant must demonstrate proficiency in the language of instruction for the chosen program.
- For programs taught in Arabic, the applicant must also be proficient in another language as determined by the relevant academic department.
- The minimum required level of language proficiency is determined by the Graduate Studies College.
Employment Status (if applicable):
- If the applicant is employed, they must submit an official notification of awareness signed by their employer, confirming their approval to enroll in the program.
Additional Program-Specific Requirements:
- The applicant must meet any additional requirements set by the Graduate Studies College and the specific program they are applying to.
- These may include passing preliminary exams and/or completing prerequisite courses required by the program.
Academic and Disciplinary Standing:
- The applicant must not have been previously academically dismissed from the same program they are applying to.
- The applicant must not have previously obtained a postgraduate diploma from the same program.
- The applicant must not have received any disciplinary action from any academic institution.
Types of Graduate Admission
Admission to graduate studies is granted either as regular admission or conditional admission, as outlined below:
1. Regular Admission:
An applicant is granted regular admission if they meet all the requirements stated in Article 9 of the admission policy.
2. Conditional Admission:
An applicant may be granted conditional admission under the following circumstances:
If additional coursework is required:
- The applicant meets all the requirements for regular admission, but the program committee recommends their admission on the condition that they complete additional courses.
- A maximum of 15 credit hours may be required.
- These additional courses do not count toward the degree requirements and do not affect the applicant’s cumulative GPA.
- The applicant must enroll in all required courses in their first semester while maintaining a normal academic load as stipulated in the regulations.
- In exceptional cases, with approval from the program committee and the Graduate Studies College, some required courses may be deferred to the second semester.
- If the applicant achieves a minimum GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) in the required courses, their admission is converted to regular admission; otherwise, they will be academically dismissed from the program.
If the applicant is a person with disabilities and does not meet the minimum GPA requirement:
- The applicant meets all the requirements in Article 9, except for the second condition regarding GPA.
- They must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.33 and a major-specific GPA of at least 2.5 (on a 4.0 scale) from their undergraduate studies.
- They must achieve a minimum GPA of 3.0 by the end of their first semester to continue in the program.
- If they fail to meet this requirement, they will be dismissed from the program.
Time Limits for Completing a Master’s Degree
1. Minimum Time Requirement:
The minimum period to fulfill the requirements for a master’s degree is twelve (12) months.
2. Maximum Time Limits:
Full-Time Students:
- A student must complete the master’s program within two (2) years from the date of enrollment.
- With the approval of the Graduate Studies College, an extension may be granted for up to an additional two (2) academic years.
Part-Time Students:
- A student enrolled part-time must complete the master’s program within three (3) years from the date of enrollment.
- With the approval of the Graduate Studies College, an extension may be granted for up to an additional two (2) academic years.
3. Time Reduction for Prior Graduate Coursework:
Students admitted with previous graduate coursework from accredited universities or institutions may qualify for a reduction in the required study period. The reduction is granted as follows:
- One semester of credit for every six (6) approved credit hours.
- Partial semester reductions are not applied.
Credit Transfer and Course Approval for Graduate Studies
1. Approval of Graduate-Level Courses:
The Graduate Studies College approves required courses at specified levels. It may recognize courses previously completed within its own programs, up to a maximum of eighteen (18) credit hours, under the following conditions:
- The student must have earned a minimum grade of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (or an equivalent grade).
- The course must have been completed within the past two years before approval.
- The course must be relevant to the student’s accepted graduate program.
Approved courses will be counted toward the graduate program requirements and will be included in the GPA calculation.
2. Approval of Courses from Other Institutions:
With a recommendation from the Program Committee, graduate-level courses completed at other accredited institutions may be approved under the following conditions:
- The institution must be recognized by official academic accreditation bodies.
- The courses must be relevant to the student’s graduate program and meet graduate-level standards.
- The student must have earned a minimum grade of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (or an equivalent grade) in each course.
- The courses must have been completed within the standard timeframe for obtaining the degree, and no more than two years should have passed since their completion.
- The approved credits must not exceed 30% of the total required coursework in the student’s program.
While these approved courses will count toward graduate program requirements, they will not be included in the GPA calculation.
3. Restrictions on Credit Transfer:
- A course that was previously counted toward an undergraduate degree or any other academic degree cannot be transferred for graduate credit.
- The total approved transfer credits from both internal and external sources must not exceed 18 credit hours.
An academic supervisor is appointed for each master’s student who is required to prepare a thesis, and for each doctoral student no later than the end of the semester following admission. The program committee submits a recommendation regarding the appointment of the supervisor and supervisors to the Graduate School for approval.
Thesis Registration Guidelines
A student may register for the thesis after completing one academic semester, provided they obtain approval from the academic supervisor, program director, and the Graduate Studies College, under the following conditions:
- The student must have completed at least twelve (12) credit hours in accredited courses required for the degree, with a minimum GPA of 2.67 on a 4.0 scale.
- A student registered for the thesis is considered to have met the academic workload requirements outlined in these regulations.
- Thesis registration may extend beyond one semester, and the thesis in progress will be graded as either “Satisfactory” or “Unsatisfactory.”
