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university-wide. Additionally GSA members should meet on regular basis with the Dean of the College of Graduate Studies
and/or the Graduate Studies Council and exchange ideas, comments, etc. for the purpose of continuously improving graduate
education at UAEU.
For more information on the GSA, contact the Graduate Student Affairs Section in the College of Graduate Studies.
GRADUATE DEGREE PROGRAMS
UAEU offers a diverse set of graduate degree programs at the Master’s and doctorate levels. Although the main campus in Al
Ain is the primary venue for offering the graduate programs, some of the professional programs are also conveniently offered
at off-campus facilities such as in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
Types of Programs
Master’s Programs
Master’s degree programs in many discipline areas are offered by the academic departments in the colleges. There are two
types of Master’s programs: Professional and Academic (i.e., research-based). All programs require a minimum of 30 credits
and the completion of a research thesis or a major project. Enrollment in Master’s programs may be on full-time or part-time
basis. However, some restrictions might apply in some programs.
Professional Doctorate Programs
A professional Doctorate program is advanced studies beyond the Master’s degree. It requires coursework and independent
research. The emphasis of the professional Doctorate degree is on research skills and advanced professional knowledge in an
applied field of specialization. Students generally pursue professional Doctorate programs on full-time basis. However, some
programs might permit part-time enrollment.
The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Program
According to the Commission for Academic Accreditation (CAA), of the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research
of the UAE, the PhD program is an academic doctorate degree program that requires coursework beyond the Master’s degree
and academic research. The PhD degree is awarded in recognition of high quality academic research that represents original
contribution to human knowledge that is represented in a research dissertation of a publishable standard. The PhD program
requires a residency period of full-time enrollment for a minimum of three years.
