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Contents
Introduction
Admissions
Coursework
Financial Aid
The MA Program
Pre-Candidacy
Preliminary Examinations
The PhD Program
Appendix 1 Calendar
Appendix 2 List of Courses
Appendix 3 Forms
Near Eastern Studies
VI. Pre-Candidacy/Change of Status from MA to PhD
A. Relationship of the MA to the PhD
Most students in the Department of Near Eastern Studies are initially admitted to the MA program. Such admission does not slow progress toward the PhD, but a formal “change of status” procedure is required to advance to “pre-candidacy” (i.e., the PhD program). Many students with an MA from another institution or in another subject are admitted to our MA program. These students may transfer up to 6 units towards a second MA or apply such units to the PhD program. All units taken in the MA program are applied to the requirement for units/credit hours in the PhD program. Students must have a B+ average in their MA program to be considered for change of status to PhD.
B. Student Checklist for Change of Status from MA to PhD
1. Credit Hours/Units Requirements
A student must fulfill the following requirements in order to change
from MA to PhD status:
• 27 credit hours/units total
• Minimum average grade of “B”
• At least 6 credits beyond basic language level (as defined for
each specialty)
• 4 credit hours of cognate courses
• Language of scholarship (normally French or German; see MA program)
2. Graduate Advisor
The student must obtain a letter from his/her MA advisor(s) evaluating his/her work. If the student wishes to change to another advisor in the PhD program, the student must also obtain a letter from his/her potential PhD supervisor evaluating the student’s MA program and potential for PhD work as well as agreement that he/she will supervise the student’s PhD program.
3. Language of Scholarship
The student may demonstrate competency in a language of scholarship by passing the departmental language exam. The examiner sends a letter with the result of the exam to the Director of Graduate Studies and Student Services Assistant. Students may also demonstrate competence in a language of scholarship by passing the second semester of the Michigan reading course or the fourth semester of a foreign language sequence with a grade of B or higher.
4. Statement of Purpose
The statement of purpose should be no more than two pages in length. The statement should indicate the direction of research, the second language of scholarship, which must be passed before the Preliminary Examinations, and the second Near Eastern language of specialization, which also must be passed before the Preliminary Examinations. In Arabic Studies, the second Near Eastern language of specialization is in addition to both medieval and modern Arabic.
5. Faculty Evaluations
The student must request evaluations from the MA advisor and a potential PhD advisor, if this is a different faculty member.
6. Writing Sample
One research or seminar paper must be submitted to the director of graduate studies and departmental admissions committee when a student applies for a status change.
C. Rackham Graduate School Procedure for Change of Status
Students must fill out an application for change of program that will be filed with Rackham. Please Jessica Hale the Student Services Coordinator for this.