The Direct Ph.D. - Entering the Ph.D. Program Directly from the BS Level

When a student is admitted directly into the Ph.D. program (pre-candidate) without a master's degree, he/she will be eligible to advance to candidacy after:

  • Passing the Ph.D. Qualifying Examination,
  • Completing a total of 42 credit hours beyond their BS (vs. Advancement to candidacy via the BS -> MS -> Ph.D. track where a total of 18 letter graded credit hours beyond the MS for a total of 48 hours is required)
  • Passing the Preliminary Examination.

    • This will allow students in the direct Ph.D. track to advance to candidacy earlier. The remaining six credits will be taken after reaching candidacy. Note that Rackham Graduate School will permit one free course with each candidacy enrollment.

    If a student is interested in receiving a master's degree along the way, his/her accumulated credit hours must satisfy the requirements of one of the master's degree options.

    MS Options Requirements Total Hrs/Letter Graded Hrs
    Course work option 12 hrs ME500+
    6 hrs ME400+
    6 hrs cognate
    6 hrs math     		30/30
    Research option 12 hrs ME500+
    3 or 6 hrs research
    3 ME400 if only 3 research
    6 hrs cognate
    6 hrs math     		30/24 or 30/27
    Thesis option 12 hrs ME500+
    9 hrs thesis
    3 hrs cognate
    6 hrs math     		30/21
    Practicum 12 hrs ME 500+
    3 hrs ME 400 +
    3 hrs ENG 600
    6 hrs cognate
    6 hrs math     		30/27