Each student is responsible for designing a Plan of Study to meet his or her needs as determined by previous academic work, experience, interests, and career objectives, with the guidance of the advisory committee and the approval of the department head. This Plan of Study must be submitted to the Graduate College no later than the second term in residence. Contact the appropriate department in the College of Education for information on specific program requirements. There is a Plan of Study fee.

A specialist program requires a minimum of 60 units of graduate credit. Except for a limited number of units that can be transferred from other approved institutions, see Credit Earned Prior to Admission, the remaining unit requirements must be met by University of Arizona courses. At least one half of the required units must receive a grade of A, B or C. (I.e. no more than half the units can be graded S or P.) Credits taken for Audit are not acceptable for the Plan of Study.