The minimum time is two academic years of full-time study, which would mean three courses in each fall and spring semester in two years. Typically, these days most students are working adults who find it difficult to maintain a full-time course schedule. Most students complete the program in three years but some take longer depending on the number of courses taken per semester. Remember that in addition to class time, graduate courses require a significant commitment to reading and other coursework beyond the hours in the classroom.