Admission Requirements
Demonstrated excellence in coursework, passing the cumulative examinations and passing of an oral examination that follows a written independent research proposal is necessary for a student to formally enter the doctoral program. Admission of students with previous graduate coursework or master’s degrees from other institutions will be considered on an individual basis. A 3.5 GPA in masters course work is require for regular admission.
Admission to candidacy requires:
- No more than 2 grades lower than a B in the first 27 hours of core courses;
- A minimum GPA of 3.5 in at least 30 hours of graduate courses taken at USM, including the core courses and research;
- Passing nine (9) of eighteen (18) cumulative examinations; comprehensive exam.
- Passing an Oral Examination that follows the completion of a written Independent Research Proposal; and
- Arrange for graduate advisor by the end of the first semester.
- Continuous enrollment - Students must meet the requirement specified in the front section of this Bulletin.
Degree Requirements
Minimum course requirements for the doctorate are fifty-one (51) hours beyond the master’s degree.
Plan of Study. Students must submit their signed, official Plan of Study Form to the Graduate School by the end of the second semester they are enrolled. The Plan of Study Forms are available at www.usm.edu/graduateschool/planofstudy.php - click on the “Plans of Study” link.
Responsible Conduct of Research Training
All faculty holding Regular or Associate graduate faculty status, must complete RCR training modules required by the Graduate School and their departments. All graduate students must complete the RCR training modules required by the Graduate School and their departments the first semester there are enrolled in graduate school. The RCR policy and training information are found on the Graduate School web page – www.usm.edu/graduateschool. Contact the Dean of the Graduate School if you have any questions regarding the policy of training information.
