2020-2021 Graduate Bulletin > Degree Candidacy and Requirements for Graduation > Degree Candidacy

Degree Candidacy

Admission to Candidacy

Specialist's Degree. Admission to graduate study does not imply Admission to Candidacy for any specialist's degree. Admission to Candidacy is granted only after the applicant has:

1. Fulfilled all the prerequisites for admission to the degree program;
2. Fulfilled all special requirements, such as admissions tests, letters of recommendation, and qualifying examinations specified by the department which has jurisdiction over the curriculum;
3. Submitted an Authorization of Degree Program - Graduate form approved and signed by the advisor;
4. Completed at least ten hours of graded graduate coursework on the chosen program at CMU with a cumulative graduate grade point average of 3.0 or higher in all of this work;
5. Filed an Admission to Candidacy - Specialist Degree form approved by the advisor and the department chair and submitted to Graduate Admissions.

Doctoral Degree. Admission to graduate study does not imply Admission to Candidacy for a Ph.D. or Ed.D. degree. Admission to Candidacy is granted only after the applicant has:

1. Fulfilled all the prerequisites for admission to the degree program;
2. Fulfilled all special requirements, such as admissions tests, letters of recommendation, and additional student background information specified by the department;
3. Submitted an Authorization of Degree Program - Doctoral form approved and signed by the advisor.
4. Completed most of the prescribed coursework for the degree with a cumulative graduate grade point average of 3.0 or higher, satisfied any research or professional tool requirements established by the department, and passed a comprehensive examination conducted and evaluated by the student's examination committee;
5. Filed an Admission to Candidacy - Doctoral Degree form approved by the advisor and the department chair, and submitted to Graduate Admissions.