The completion of postgraduate studies requires the achievement of degree credits, each of which corresponds to 15 hours of a combination of classes, seminars, laboratory/field work, research, graduate tutoring and/or the production of theses or dissertations. Since (in general) each regular course grants 8 credits, students must attend a total of six courses in the Master’s program, four in the Doctorate program and ten in the Direct Doctorate program. At least 50% of these courses must belong to the core area of the student’s postgraduate degree.

Master’s degree

A Master’s degree student must obtain a minimum of 100 credit units, 48 of which in courses – of which at least 24 must be in courses offered by the Program in which the student is enrolled – and 52 credits dedicated to the master’s degree thesis.

Doctorate degree

A doctorate student who has a master’s degree conferred or recognized by USP must obtain a minimum of 192 credit units, of which 32 must consist of coursework – at least 16 of which in courses offered by the Program in which the student is enrolled – and 160 credit units dedicated to the doctorate thesis.

Direct Entry Doctorate

Students aiming to obtain a Direct Entry Doctorate, i.e. those without a prior master’s degree, must obtain a minimum of 240 credit units, of which 80 must be dedicated to course – including 40 credits in disciplines offered by the Program in which the student is enrolled – and 160 credit units dedicated to writing the thesis.

Special Credits

Students can also receive up to 8 credits for publishing articles, books and book chapters. Special credits are granted to students according to each specific activity as outlined below:

1. Students may be granted a maximum of 4 credits for an article published in a national or international journal that has a recognized editorial board;

2. Students may be granted a maximum of 3 credits for publication of a book (full text);

3. Students may be granted a maximum of 2 credits for publication of a chapter in a collection or manual recognized for its academic relevance or a full paper in the proceedings of academic congresses;

4. Students may be granted a maximum of 1 credit per event for participation as first author in events such as congresses, workshops, symposia or any other kind of scientific meeting that lead to full published work (in print or digital form) in its proceedings (or similar);

5. Students may be granted a maximum of 3 credits for participation in the Teaching Improvement Program (PAE) one time in a single semester.