GPA is an important criterion to determine the ability of students for passing a master's course. The GPA is a proof the level of command a student has over the subject matter and how well she performs throughout the course. The GPA demonstrates a student's motivation to work better and her desire to excel. Most master's courses require a minimum GPA of 3.0 or 3.3.
A graduate student must pass the required examinations or the set of projects or assignments that are used to grade the ability of the student in a particular course. These examinations vary according to the course, department and the university. Examinations attempt to test a student's knowledge and area of expertise in the subject and they are a common criterion to measure the students' ability to pass a masters course. Peterson in his book "Graduate Programs in Business, Education, Health, Information Studies and Law," writes, "A large number of schools require a student to pass either an oral or a written comprehensive examination before they are eligible for the degree." Most courses have written and oral examinations while in some courses either oral or written examinations are taken to determine students' ability to pass.
Language requirements depend on the department from which a student completes his master's course. Graduate schools offer variety of courses in English but some humanity departments might have different language requirements. For example, foreign students might need to take courses in English or business communication for completing a master's course in subjects like business and economics.
Each graduate student should have an adviser; an adviser is a member of a main department of the university and provides advice related to studies. The adviser also provides guidance related to completion of the thesis requirements in the courses where a thesis is required to graduate. Usually the university provides an adviser to a student in the early stages of studies. To complete the requirements of a master's course it is important for students to have an adviser to certify that the student has fulfilled his degree requirements. Students are encouraged to meet their advisers regularly; advisers review the progress of students to make sure students are progressing and achieving their goals.
Credit hours are an important factor used to determine the students' extent of knowledge in a subject. The required number of credit hours depends on a particular course, the curriculum and the kind of degree. A business course usually consists of 33 to 46 credit hours.