Bypass the M.S. Degree
Policy in Catalog:
M.S. Bypass Option in the School of Marine Science Graduate Catalog
Forms:
Notification of Intent to Bypass the M.S. Degree
Request a Change in Advisory Committee Prior to Comprehensive Exam
Application to Bypass the M.S. Degree
General Information
If you are considering the possibility of bypassing the master's program for the doctoral program, you are advised to consult with your advisor and committee members no later than mid-fall (for fall admits) or mid-spring (for spring admits) during your second academic year.
Filing Your Notification of Intent to BypassOnce the committee is in agreement, you will file the Intent to Bypass form with the Registrar. The recommended completion date for filing the Intent to Bypass form is by mid-December (for fall admits) and mid-May (for spring admits) of the second academic year. The Academic Status and Degrees Committee (ASDC) will then review your academic qualifications, standing in the program, a CV and a 1-2 page statement describing your achievements and potential to conduct independent research that you submit with the form. The advisor and Associate Dean for Academic Affairs will make a determination of funding availability. You must be in good academic standing (cumulative GPA of B or better with no core course grade lower than B-). In addition, you should be registered to complete the required SMS core curriculum for the M.S. degree, as specified in the School of Marine Science Graduate Catalog, by the end of the second spring semester (for fall admits) or second fall semester (for spring admits). This timeline is important because the milestone for passing the comprehensive exam, which is required before you can apply for the bypass, is 21 months. The comprehensive exam must be passed within 6 months of the milestone due date in order to complete the bypass. |
Filing Your Application to BypassAfter the intent to bypass notification is approved and following successful completion of the comprehensive exam, the student may submit the Application to Bypass the M.S. Degree form to the Registrar. The application must include:
A bypass represents a change in funding obligations and, for that reason, the advisor must provide a statement on funding availability to support the student's doctoral program prior to review of the bypass request by the Associate Dean. The Academic Status and Degrees Committee (ASDC) will recommend to the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs whether or not permission to bypass should be granted. Appeals of an adverse decision may be made to the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs. Note: A student's classification in Banner is not changed to the doctoral program until all steps of the bypass are complete. Once a student's application to bypass is approved, milestone deadlines will also be updated to the 72-month degree program timeline. |
Recommended Timeline for Completing the Bypass - Fall Admits(for students who matriculate in the fall) During the 2nd Academic Year At the Beginning of the 3rd Academic Year |
Recommended Timeline for Completing the Bypass - Spring Admits(for students who matriculate in the spring) During the 2nd Academic Year At the Beginning of the 3rd Academic Year |
Last Updated: August 21, 2023 by J. Hay