After one year of study the circumstances of a student may change, thus it may be appropriate for a student admitted to the Master’s program to be shifted to the Ph.D. program.

Early during the 3rd semester of the student’s program, the student should submit a petition to the Graduate Studies Committee (GSC) to make the requested change in status.  For most students this will be in the Fall semester.  The student should outline why they want to switch to the Ph.D. program.

In addition, a letter from the student’s mentor should be submitted to the GSC documenting that the mentor is also in agreement with the change in status for the student.  The VCAPP Department Annual Graduate Student Evaluation form should also be completed and a copy submitted to the GSC.

The Graduate Studies Committee may also solicit information from other faculty (course instructors, research faculty who have had contact with the student, etc.) in order to obtain a complete picture of the student’s performance.

If the student requests at this time to not only switch programs, but also switch advisors, a letter from the new advisor should also be submitted to the GSC documenting the willingness of the new advisor to take responsibility for the student.

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