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The PhD program

The PhD program has guaranteed financial support by the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences (EARTH) for the length of the program:

  • 4 years for students entering with a MS degree
  • 5 years for students entering with a BS degree

All students begin the PhD program as pre-candidates for about two years. They “advance to candidacy” (i.e., they become PhD candidates) after earning a minimum of 18 credits at the graduate level and passing the Qualifying Exam. PhD candidates earn their PhD degrees if they successfully defend their dissertation.

See the Rackham Graduate School Academic Policies for Rackham's rules on admissions, registration, degree requirements, and the awarding of degrees.