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New doctoral students begin as precandidates. The Ph.D. qualifying process usually occurs within the initial two years of enrollment. Once all requirements except the dissertation are fulfilled, students advance to candidate status. Those starting with a bachelor's degree generally achieve candidacy by their third year and are advised to finish within five years. These students typically earn a master's degree during their studies, though a thesis is optional. Students entering with a relevant master's degree often reach candidacy in their second year and are expected to complete the program within four years, though they typically don't qualify for an additional CSE master's degree.
Applicants complete a bachelor’s degree from a U.S. college or university accredited by a regional accrediting association; or complete an international degree that is equivalent to a U.S. bachelor’s degree from a college or university recognized and approved by the Ministry of Education or Commission responsible for higher education in the country where the degree is earned.
Rackham English Proficiency Requirements:
IBT TOEFL - 84;
Paper/Pencil TOEFL and TWE - 560;
Revised Paper Delivered Test - An overall score is not provided for this test. Minimum section scores: Reading = 23; Listening = 23; Writing = 21;
MELAB - 80;
IELTS - 6.5;
ECPE - certificate of proficiency