Straight-to-PhD (Fast-track opportunity to a Ph.D.)
Students with previous research and publication experience may be considered to fast-track into the Ph.D. program at the end of their first year in the master’s program via our Straight-to-PhD option. Applicants must declare their intent and provide additional information at the time of application to the master’s program by completing the Straight-to-PhD form. To request a form, email GeoGrad@msu.edu. The completed form needs to be uploaded with the applicant’s master’s application into the application system.
Upon admission, the student is required to discuss their intent with their master’s advisor at the start of their first year, develop a research question, establish a guidance committee, and begin preparation for their pre-proposal defense. The student’s pre-proposal defense must occur by the end of their first year, in the form of a departmental colloquium. At the colloquium, the student will present their pre-proposal research and answer questions.
The student’s guidance committee will evaluate their presentation and response, and either deny or approve the student’s request to move up to the Ph.D. program. Students who are moved Straight-to-PhD will not be awarded a master’s degree, because the requirements will not be complete. However, courses taken in the student’s first year will be applied to their Ph.D. requirements. Students moved to the Ph.D. program via the Straight-to-PhD option must follow the Ph.D. program handbook for the semester they started the master's program. The student will have three remaining years to complete their Ph.D. requirements. Students denied movement through the Straight-to-PhD will complete the master’s program and are welcome to apply to the Ph.D. program later through the standard admissions process.
Specific questions about the admission process can be directed to:
Joni Burns (she, her, Ms.)
Academic Program Coordinator
Department of Geography, Environment, and Spatial Sciences
673 Auditorium Rd.
Rm. 101 Geography Bldg.
East Lansing, MI 48824-1117
Fax: 517-432-1671