General Information

In the Graduate School .

Students interested in professional and research master’s and doctoral degrees at Cornell pursue their graduate studies through the Graduate School, which administers nearly 100 graduate fields, ranging from aerospace engineering to zoology.

Research Degrees

Master’s degree programs are designed for those who wish to obtain further education in a selected field and to develop their ability for critical inquiry, independent scholarship, and teaching.

Doctoral programs are designed for individuals who demonstrate the potential to perform original research under guidance, with a view to various careers, including those in research and teaching. 

• M.S. (Master of Science)
• M.A. (Master of Arts)
• M.A./Ph.D. or M.S./Ph.D. (joint Master’s/Doctor of Philosophy)
• M.F.A. (Master of Fine Arts), typically 2 years
  • Art
  • Creative Writing
• Ph.D. (Doctor of Philosophy)

See our fields of study website or download a PDF of our Catalog  for more information on the degree programs we offer.

Professional Degrees

Professional degrees prepare students to practice their profession at an advanced level, to teach the subject matter of their profession, or to pursue original investigations into its functions, administration, history, and progress.

• D.M.A. (Doctor of Musical Arts), typically 3 or more years
• J.S.D. (Doctor of Science of Law)
• M.H.A. (Master of Health Administration)
• Executive Master of Health Administration  
• Two-Year M.H.A.
• B.S./M.H.A.
• M.H.A.-M.P.A.
• Dual M.H.A./M.B.A.

• M.I.L.R. (Master of Industrial and Labor Relations), 2 years
• M.L.A. (Master of Landscape Architecture), 3 years
• M.P.A. (Master of Public Administration), 2 years
• M.P.H (Master of Public Health), 1-2 years; part-time option
• M.P.S. (Master of Professional Studies), typically 1 year
  • Agriculture and Life Science M.P.S
  • Applied Statistics M.P.S.
  • Industrial and Labor Relations M.P.S.
  • ​Information Science M.P.S.
  • International Development M.P.S.
  • Landscape Architecture M.P.S.
  • Real Estate M.P.S.
  • Veterinary Medical Sciences M.P.S., 12 months
• M.R.P. (Master of Regional Planning), 2 years

Advanced degrees offered outside the Graduate School include:

• Law - programs leading to degrees in law (J.D. and LL.M.) are administered by the Cornell Law School  
• Medicine and Medical Sciences - the doctor of medicine (M.D.) is administered by Weill Cornell Medical College and other advanced degrees are administered by Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences, both in New York City
• Veterinary - the doctor of veterinary medicine (D.V.M.) is administered by the College of Veterinary Medicine  
• Engineering - the master of engineering (M.Eng.) is administered by the College of Engineering  
• Architecture - the master of architecture (M.Arch. ) is administered by the College of Architecture, Art and Planning  
• Hospitality - the master of management in hospitality (M.M.H.) is administered by the School of Hotel Administration  
• Business - the master of business administration (M.B.A.) and the master of professional studies in management (M.P.S) are earned through the Samuel Curtis Johnson Graduate School of Management  

Administration

Barbara A. Knuth, senior vice provost and dean of the Graduate School

Jan Allen, associate dean for academic and student affairs

Sara Xayarath Hernandez, associate dean for inclusion and student engagement

Jason Kahabka, associate dean for administration

Janna Lamey, assistant dean for graduate student life