The  program is open to students holding BS degrees in petroleum engineering, other engineering disciplines, or sciences. The department level academic course plan for each student will be developed in consultation with and approved by the student's advisory committee.

The degree is either a thesis or a non-thesis degree that requires a special project.

• The thesis option requires completion of 24 hours of approved coursework, 12 coursework hours should be at the 7000 level or above, excluding thesis hours, 6 hours credit for thesis research. The thesis option student must have their thesis approved by the committee and pass a comprehensive final oral exam.
• The non-thesis option requires completion of 36 hours of approved graduate coursework that may include 3 credits for the special project and at least 18 hours at the 7000 level or above, including credit earned for the special project. Must pass a comprehensive oral exam that may (but does not have to) include approval of the special project. At the discretion of the student's advisory committee, a written exam may be required.