2024-2025 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 that has jurisdiction over the curriculum;
3. A completed degree plan in the Degree Progress System;
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;
5. Filed an Admission to Candidacy - Specialist Degree form approved by the advisor and the department chair.

Doctoral Degree. Admission to graduate study does not imply Admission to Candidacy for a doctoral 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. A completed degree plan in the Degree Progress System.
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/qualifying 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.