Minimum credits

The minimum number of credits for which a student enrolls depends on...

1) completion of the PhD Candidacy Exam
     and
2) the student's funding status

Pre-Candidacy Exam PhD and all Master's students

Are you a...

GRA or Fellow?

A student funded by a Graduate Research Associateship (GRA) is to register for the maximum number of MSE or WE 6999 credits per term that his/her schedule will allow (i.e., up to 16 6999 credits). Thus for AU & SP, GRAs & Fellows should register for their graded course credits + 1 credit of MSE or WE 7895 Seminar + X credits of 6999 = 16 graduate credits per term.

In SU term GRAs should register for at least 4 graduate credits: graded course credits + X credits of 6999 = 4 credits. Fellows should register for at least 6 graduate credits: graded course credits + X credits of 6999 = 6 credits. (7895 is not offered in SU term).

Self-funded student?

Please consult with the MSE-WE Graduate Studies Coordinator for minimum required hours. Various factors dictate the minimum number of credits for which one must register--individual circumstances come into play. For example,

  • international students must register for at least 10 credits per term;
  • Ph.D. students who have passed the Candidacy Exam must register for 3 credits per term;
  • domestic pre-Candidacy Exam students who are self-funded may chose not to register;
  • Distance Education students may register as needed; etc.

Post-Candidacy Exam students

ALL students, regardless of funding source or citizenship, who have successfully completed the Candidacy Exam are to enroll for at least 3 graduate-level credits every term. Credits beyond three are permitted for graded graduate credit used to meet MSE or WE degree requirements, or as permitted by the student's funding advisor.

Post-Candidacy Exam registration

The goal is to keep enrollment close to 3 total grad credits per term. To do so, follow this process:

1) Register for MSE or WE 7895 (in AU & SP)

2) Are you taking a graded course needed to complete MSE degree requirements?

Yes: register for your graded course(s). Do not register for any 8999 credits; you're done with the term's registration.

No: [see #3 below]

3) Are you taking any credits that are not required for graduation (ex., audited courses, undergrad level courses "for fun" or courses that are at the grad level but not required for your degree)?

Yes: please check with your advisor to confirm that s/he has the funding to pay for these credits before registering. [View University Fee Tables to gauge cost of additional hours--select "Engineering"]
- If you are permitted to register for additional credits, do not register for 8999 credits. Only register for 7895 and the additional credits; you're done with the term's registration.
- If you are advised to not take additional credits, only register for 7895 and 2 credits of MSE or WE 8999 (or 3 credits of 8999 in SU term); you're done with the term's registration.

No: only register for 7895 and 2 credits of MSE or WE 8999 (or 3 credits of 8999 in SU term); you're done with the term's registration.

Continuous enrollment is required

Upon completion of the Candidacy Exam a graduate student must be enrolled, as detailed above, every term following the Candidacy Exam through the term of graduation. This continuous enrollment is required of any post-Candidacy student, regardless of funding status.

Three credits is considered full time

For post-Candidacy students, three graduate credits is considered "full-time" in the eyes of the university and is sufficient to activate any full-time student benefits. Thus three graduate credits is sufficient to activate such things as a student's GRA/Fellowship fee authorization and stipend, student health benefits, and most importantly, football tickets.

Questions?

Please contact Mark Cooper, Graduate Studies Coordinator, should you have questions about the graduate program in MSE or WE. Mark may be reached at: