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GCAC-508 - Change of Degree or Program

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Academic Goal

To provide a mechanism for students to transfer from one graduate program to another.

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Purpose

To describe how students admitted to one graduate degree or program may change to another.

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Scope

All graduate programs and all graduate students.

Policy Statement

  1. A graduate student admitted for either a research degree (M.A., M.S., or Ph.D.) or a professional degree who wants to change from one type of degree to another must complete an application for a change of degree.
  2. A student who has earned a master’s degree at Penn State but who wants to earn a doctoral degree in a different field must complete an application for a change of degree. The student may be required to make up certain deficiencies if inadequately prepared for the new program.

Process

A graduate student who has been admitted for work in one graduate program but wants to transfer to another must complete an application for a change of degree or major. The student’s credentials will be reviewed and the proposed new graduate program head or chair will be consulted. If the change is approved but the student is inadequately prepared for the new graduate program, the student may be required to make up certain deficiencies.

Further Information

Resume Study, Change of Major/Degree, and/or Add a Certificate

Revision History

  • Adapted from Graduate Bulletin: June 2018
  • Updated 8/28/2017