A Master’s Along the Way (MAW) refers to a master’s degree that a Ph.D. student may obtain while working toward their Ph.D. of the same major. Please Note: Not all graduate programs offer the MAW option. Please connect with your program coordinator for program specific requirements and additional information.
Deadlines:
**The last day to request a Master's Along the Way for Summer 2022 is July 15th. Any advancement to candidacy forms requesting an MAW for Summer 2022 submitted after July 15th will be moved to Fall 2022. **
Step #1 Advancement to Candidacy:
Ph.D. students will be using the advancement to candidacy form to qualify for a MAW. There are two options to obtain a MAW. Please connect with your program coordinator to request the advnacement to candidacy link.
Option 1: Advancing with your Ph.D.:
- Ready to advance for your Ph.D.? Once you submit your Ph.D. Advancement to Candidacy electronic form, you may select the MAW option.
- Enter the term you wish to obtain your MAW. Normally, students enter the semester we are currently in if time permits.
Option 2: Advancing only for your Master’s Along the Way:
- If you are not ready to advance for your Ph.D., or already advanced for your Ph.D. during a prior semester, you will submit a Master’s Advancement to Candidacy form.
- For the “Student Type” select Ph.D. Then select Master’s Along the Way for the “Ph.D. Student Only” option.
Step #2: Applying to Graduate:
Once your advancement to candidacy has been processed, you will receive an email confirmation titled “Advancement to Candidacy: Master along the way-Processed.” Please wait until you have received this email to submit your graduation application. Submitting your graduation application early will result in submitting a Ph.D. graduation application, you will be considered inactive for the following semester.
*If you have submitted a graduation application early, please connect with Graduate Services and your program coordinator.*
Step #3: Graduation Requirements:
Along with advancing and submitting a graduation application for a Master’s Along the Way. MAW students will also need to submit a Master’s Final Report by the deadline.
- Thesis Plan: If you are obtaining a MAW with a Thesis, please remember to submit your Thesis Signature Page to Graduate Services by the deadline.
- Comprehensive Examination Plan: If you are obtaining a MAW with the Comprehensive Examination option, please remember to submit your exam results to Graduate Services by the deadline.
Please refer to our Master's Checklist for Degree Completion.
Questions:
If you have any additional questions, please contact Graduate Services.