2. Registration

A student’s registration status may change during the course of graduate study and include full- time, part-time, and approved periods of non-enrollment. Eligibility for certain registration statuses depends on the student’s degree level (i.e., Ph.D., D.M.A., master’s, certificate) and program, and each status has different requirements. During approved periods of non-enrollment, students will not have the same access to university services as those available to registered students, such as courses, consultation with faculty, access to laboratories and other campus research facilities, computing services, University Library privileges, financial aid, University Health Services, and recreational sports memberships (sections 2.2.2, 2.3.1).

A student who registers on or after the first day of classes (not including course adds, drops, or changes to an initial registration) will be charged a late registration fee. For information on the registration process, consult the Registrar’s Office website.

2.1 Full-Time Study and Enrollment Eligibility

Some graduate programs, other university policies, or U.S. government agencies, such as the Veterans Administration and the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, may require a student to be enrolled for a minimum number of credit hours to be considered a full-time student. International students must be enrolled full-time under requirements set by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, and on F-1 or J-1 visas should consult the International Center with any questions concerning enrollment, course registration, and visa status. International students who wish to be registered less than full-time must obtain permission in advance from the International Center or risk compromising their visa status.

Enrollment eligibility is jointly determined by the graduate programs and the graduate school. A student who has fulfilled all degree requirements must apply for graduation in the term in which completion is expected and may be prohibited from further enrollment.

2.2 Registration and Enrollment for Ph.D. Programs

Students in Ph.D. programs must register for each fall and winter term until final completion of degree requirements unless they have received an authorized leave of absence (section 2.2.2) or have been approved for extramural study (section 2.2.1). Because students are expected to make year-round academic progress toward the Ph.D. degree, students enrolled in the fall and winter terms are entitled to services during the spring and summer half terms whether or not they are registered. A student who takes candidacy or preliminary exams in a spring or summer half term must register in that half term. A student who defends the dissertation and/or finalizes degree requirements in a spring or summer half term must register for the full spring/summer term and submit the final dissertation and all materials by the published deadline to avoid registering for another term (section 4.4.10).

Pre-candidates preparing for qualifying exams may be enrolled in 990, “Dissertation/precandidate,” for the number of credit hours that reflect their effort and as required by outside agencies such as the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Candidates will be registered for 995, “Dissertation/candidate,” which consists of 8 credit hours for a full term.

Students in dual degree programs (section 6) fulfill registration requirements when they are registered in one of the programs on the Ann Arbor campus.

2.2.1 Extramural Study Status for Ph.D. Students

A student who enrolls at another institution to pursue study relevant to the Ph.D. for a period that overlaps substantially with a university fall or winter term, may apply for extramural study status. A student engaged in fieldwork or research, or who has an internship but is not enrolled in a formal course of study at another institution, is ineligible for extramural study and must maintain their registration.

A student must seek advance authorization for extramural study from Rackham OARD by providing documentation confirming acceptance to a course of study and assessment of tuition or fees. A student may request extramural study status if:

• the graduate chair has approved the course of study as directly relevant to the student’s ability to complete the Ph.D.;
• tuition or fees are being paid to the other institution;
• the course of study is seven weeks or longer during a fall or winter term, but no more than six full terms; and
• is in good academic standing after having completed at least one fall or winter term of study.

A student may pursue extramural study more than once but for no more than six full terms over the graduate career. If a student intends to study at another institution for longer than six full terms, the student should withdraw and seek reinstatement when ready to return.

A student not authorized for extramural study and not registered for the term or on a leave of absence will be considered to have withdrawn and will be discontinued from the graduate program.

U.S. visa regulations may restrict extramural study options for international students, who must consult with the International Center.

A student who has unsatisfactory academic standing is not eligible for extramural study status.

2.2.2 Leaves of Absence for Ph.D. Students

A leave of absence enables a doctoral student to not register during a fall or winter term and remain in compliance with the continuous enrollment requirement. A leave will be granted to students recovering from illness or injury, who are providing care or assistance for family and dependents, who are meeting military service obligations, or for other personal reasons. Doctoral students needing to suspend their studies due to COVID-19 related reasons are encouraged to contact  the leave of absence coordinator by email at [email protected] or call 734.764.4400 for help navigating the leave of absence policy.

Alternatives to a leave that allow a student to remain eligible for student services should be considered. These options include providing an accommodation for a temporary reduction in coursework, research, teaching or other educational responsibilities that allows the student to remain enrolled, and extending time required for achieving candidacy and completing the degree (sections 2.4, 2.5, 2.6).

Emergency situations may require a student to seek a leave of absence that begins after the third week of classes. When a student withdraws during a term to start a leave of absence, adjustments to tuition and fee charges are made according to the schedule set by the Registrar’s Office. Emergency leaves do not reverse the charges set by this schedule.

A student on a leave of absence suspends progress toward the Ph.D. degree for a minimum of one fall or winter term. No tuition and fees are charged for the period during which a student is on a leave of absence, with the exception of charges for leaves that begin after the third week of classes, as noted above. A leave of absence may have implications for federal financial aid and loans. Students should consult the Office of Financial Aid to determine how a leave might affect their aid and eligibility to defer student loan repayment.

While students on leave do not have the full services available to registered students and may not use university facilities or services, including the use of laboratories, equipment, and other research facilities, or faculty research advising, they may have access to limited services, as described below, to help them remain current in their field of study. They also may have access to faculty and administrative staff for planning the transition back to registered status.

U.S. immigration regulations may restrict the eligibility of an international student for a leave of absence. International students must consult the International Center to learn if a proposed leave is permissible under visa regulations and, if it is not, to be advised on other possible courses of action.

The following general policies apply:

1. Directors of graduate study review requests for leaves and forward recommendations to the Dean of the Graduate School or designee for review and approval.
2. A student must complete one term of study in the Ph.D. program before requesting a leave, with rare exceptions, such as medical or health related emergencies. A newly admitted student who has registered may seek an admissions deferral if the request and approval of the deferral occur before the end of the third week of classes in the initial term of registration. After the third week of the term, the student may withdraw and apply for reinstatement at a later term (sections 2.3, 2.2.4).
3. With the exception of a leave for military service or for personal reasons, a student may request a leave for up to two consecutive fall or winter terms, or 12 consecutive months, and may request an extension for up to an additional 12 months, or a maximum leave of 24 months.
4. Leaves of absence will not be approved for prior terms.
5. A leave of absence is not required for the spring/summer since students are in active status during these terms whether or not they enroll for courses.
6. Students on leave may finish work from previous terms, such as completing work for courses in which grades of incomplete have been assigned, but may not complete other academic requirements such as taking exams for achieving candidacy.
7. A student returning from a leave must enroll for the next fall or winter term that follows the leave. A student at the end of a term of an approved leave who does not request a new leave or register for the next fall or winter term will be considered to have withdrawn and will be discontinued from the program at the end of the term that follows the leave.
8. A student on leave may ask to return Approval is subject to the recommendation of the graduate program and approval by the Dean of the Graduate School or designee.
9. The time limit for reaching candidacy or for completing the D. degree will be extended by the number of terms the student is on leave (sections 4.3, 4.4.1).
10. A student who has been suspended for academic or non-academic reasons is not eligible to apply for a leave of absence. A student on an approved leave of absence who subsequently is suspended will have the leave rescinded.

2.2.2.1 Leave of Absence for Medical Reasons

A student who has a serious physical or mental health condition that prevents continued participation in the program will be granted a leave of absence for medical reasons. A request for a leave for medical reasons requires a written recommendation from a health care provider.

A student’s graduate program may initiate a request for a leave for medical reasons in the event that the student is incapacitated. Students who are withdrawn under the provisions of the university’s Policy on Emergency Mental Health and Readmission will be granted a leave of absence for medical reasons for the duration of the withdrawal. The checklist and link to request a leave of absence for medical reasons is available online.

For some medical circumstances, students should consider whether a within-semester medical accommodation is more appropriate (section 2.4).

 

2.2.2.2 Leave of Absence for Family Necessity or Dependent Care

A student may be required to step away from study for a term or more to take care of an urgent family necessity or to provide dependent care. A student will be granted a leave of absence in the following situations:

• to take care of a serious circumstance that directly affects a family member, such as a death, serious health condition, financial difficulty, or other critical life situation; or
• to provide care for a dependent incapable of self-care because of age or disability.

The student must explain why a leave is needed. For leaves for family necessity, “family” is defined according to the University’s Standard Practice Guide (SPG 201.11) to include the student’s spouse or domestic partner with whom the student shares living accommodations and expenses, and, without regard to their place of residence, the child, sibling, parent, grandparent or other related individual whose primary care is the responsibility of the student. A “dependent” is defined as: a biological, adopted or foster child, stepchild, or legal ward who is either under 18 years old; a family member (as defined above) older than 18 years and unable to provide self-care; or a spouse or domestic partner.

Students who have become parents through birth or adoption may remain enrolled, with the benefits of this status, but seek a Graduate Student Parental Accommodation within the term (section 2.5).

The checklist and link to request a leave for family necessity or dependent care are available online.

 

2.2.2.3 Leave of Absence for Military Service

A student will be granted a leave of absence for the duration of a military service obligation to their country of citizenship. The student must provide documentation confirming induction or authorization for active duty. The checklist and link to request a leave for military service are available online.

 

2.2.2.4 Leave of Absence for Personal Reasons

A student may request a one-term non-renewable leave of absence for personal reasons before the beginning of the term for which the leave is to take effect. A leave for personal reasons may be taken only once during the graduate career, even if the leave is granted after the third week of classes. A student considering a personal leave is encouraged to discuss other possible arrangements with the advisor and chair of graduate studies that may allow the student to continue in the program and maintain the benefits of enrolled status. The checklist and link to request a leave of absence for personal reasons are available online.

2.2.2.5 Services Available to Students on Leave

Students on an approved leave of absence have limited access to university facilities and services as follows:

2.2.2.5.1 Insurance and Health Care

• may be eligible to purchase an extension of existing health insurance coverage at personal expense;
• is not eligible to begin enrollment in either GradCare or the Domestic Student Health Insurance Plan;
• can have access to the services of the University Health Service (UHS) at personal expense on a fee-for-service basis by purchasing the UHS Prepaid Plan, or through the provisions of any health insurance coverage the student may have;

2.2.2.5.2 Academic Services

• retains access to the university’s libraries, including borrowing privileges and remote access;
• is not eligible for university-administered fellowships, grants, temporary student employment, or any of the following appointments: Graduate Student Instructor, Graduate Student Research Assistant, or Graduate Student Staff Assistant;
• is not eligible for university grants or reimbursements for supplies, materials, travel, or other expenses;

2.2.2.5.3 Student Loans

• is not eligible to apply for new student loans intended to span the period of non-enrollment;
• should consult with the Office of Financial Aid for deferral and forbearance options of
• outstanding student loans;

2.2.2.5.4 Email and Computing

• retains access to their university email account, storage space in the IFS home directory, and to university websites that require authentication with a login ID;
• does not have access to certain elements of the basic computing package including statistics and computation services on university UNIX systems, or printing in Campus Computing Sites or University Libraries;

2.2.2.5.5 Other

• may be able to retain their University Housing contract, depending on the duration of the leave and its intersection with the contract (students who live in University Housing should consult with the Housing Office to understand their options to continue or cancel their contracts);
• retains access to the International Center; and
• can have access to Recreational Sports with a continuing student pass at personal expense.

2.2.3 Withdrawal and Discontinuation from a Ph.D. Program

A student should consult with the faculty advisor and the director of graduate studies before deciding to withdraw from a Ph.D. program. A student who withdraws or who is dismissed for academic reasons is officially discontinued by the graduate school and the Registrar’s Office. Similarly, a student who is not on an approved leave of absence and does not maintain registration through a fall or a winter term will be considered to have withdrawn and will be discontinued from the program. Funding commitments made at the time of admission expire when a student is discontinued.

A student who withdraws from a non-Rackham portion of a dual degree graduate program during a fall or winter term must be registered in the Ph.D. program by the last day of classes for the term or will be considered to have withdrawn and will be discontinued.

Disenrolling from a Term

A student in a Ph.D. program may disenroll from a term before the first day of classes but not later than the end of the third week of classes. To do so, the student should notify their program and contact the Registrar, providing their university identification number, name of the graduate program from which they are disenrolling, and the term when the disenrollment should take effect. A fee is assessed when a student disenrolls after the first day of classes. Tuition will not be charged if the student disenrolls before the end of the third week of classes of a full term or before the end of the second week of the spring or summer half terms. After these dates prorated tuition will be charged according to dates and amounts set by the Registrar. For complete information, see the Registrar’s website.

To maintain standing in the program, a student who disenrolls from a fall or winter term must obtain a leave of absence (section 2.2.2), seek extramural status (section 2.2.1), or subsequently re-register during that term. Otherwise, the student is presumed to have withdrawn and will be discontinued from the program. International students must consult with the International Center before disenrolling, as this will affect their visa status.

Withdrawing During a Term

A student who considers withdrawing from all courses during a fall or winter term should consult with the graduate program to discuss required steps and review alternatives to this action. A student who withdraws from all courses after the first day of classes in a fall or winter term will be discontinued from the Ph.D. program on the last day of the term unless they are approved for a leave of absence or extramural study status, or subsequently re-register during that term. A student who withdraws from all courses after the first day of classes in a spring or summer full or half term will not be discontinued from the program, but failure to register in the following fall term will result in discontinuation.

Students who withdraw from all courses after the first day of the term are responsible for adjusted tuition fees according to a schedule set by the Registrar. As withdrawal may affect eligibility for federal financial assistance and repayment obligations, the Office of Financial Aid should be consulted.

2.2.4 Reinstatement to a Ph.D. Program

A student who has withdrawn or been discontinued from a Ph.D. program while in good academic standing (section 2.2.3), or has been discontinued for failing to show sufficient progress (section 3.5), may seek reinstatement to the same program or apply to a different program. A student who has withdrawn or been discontinued from a Ph.D. program may apply for reinstatement only once per academic term.

The former student must complete an application for reinstatement and provide supporting materials. No fee is charged for this application. A former student on probation when last enrolled in the graduate school (section 3.5) must provide reasons for the lack of academic progress, explain how conditions that produced poor performance have changed, and present specific plans for improvement. If a former student seeking reinstatement was on probationary admission, or had unsatisfactory academic standing, that standing remains in effect if reinstatement is granted unless the issue is remedied and the program and the graduate school remove or modify the status.

Reinstatement is at the discretion of the faculty admissions committee or the standing faculty committee of the graduate program. More than one faculty member must be involved in a reinstatement decision; in no case shall a reinstatement decision be made by a single faculty member. Decisions to approve or deny the reinstatement request are based on factors such as the former student’s academic progress at the time of withdrawal as well as readiness to return, the availability of faculty to advise the student, and considerations such as the availability of funding, space, and research facilities. If a student has been dismissed or required to withdraw, reinstatement may be granted only if the application has been approved by both the graduate program and the graduate school.

In the case of a candidate who was discontinued, the graduate program may, at its discretion, ask the graduate school to reinstate the former student as a candidate or to return them to precandidacy status if, for instance, the state-of-the-art knowledge in the field has changed substantially since the student was last active in the program. A reinstated student who is returned to precandidacy status must meet candidacy requirements again. Terms completed before a reinstated student was discontinued are counted toward the time limits for achieving candidacy (section 4.3) and for completing the doctoral degree (section 4.4.1).

If approved for reinstatement, students who were discontinued during or after the spring 2012 term will be assessed a reinstatement fee upon their first registration. The fee will be equal to a quarter of the prevailing Rackham candidacy tuition at the term of reinstatement for each fall and winter term that they were discontinued. The maximum fee will be equivalent to two full terms of the prevailing Rackham candidacy tuition at the term of reinstatement regardless of the length of absence. The program is responsible for paying at least half of the assessed reinstatement fee. A student who faces a severe financial hardship may apply for a grant from the graduate school to cover their portion of the fee.

A discontinued student may apply for admission to another Ph.D. program by completing the regular admissions application. A student returning from a leave of absence does not apply for reinstatement, but registers for the next fall or winter term that follows the leave (section 2.2.2)

2.2.5 Candidacy Course Registration

Ph.D. candidates are registered in the fall and winter terms for 995, “Dissertation/candidate,” which consists of 8 credit hours for a full term. No part-time enrollment is possible. A student who defends in the spring and/or summer half-term must register for 8 credit hours of 995 for the spring/summer full term.

A candidate who registers for a course must seek prior approval from the faculty advisor and also register for 995. A candidate may elect either one course per term, or more than one course for a total of no more than four credits, without paying additional tuition. Courses may be taken for credit or as a visit (audit). A candidate who does not elect a course during a term of 995 enrollment may, in the next term, either register for courses for no more than 8 credits or register for no more than two courses that total more than 8 credits without paying additional tuition. An additional course may not be taken in anticipation of taking none in a future term of 995 enrollment. A candidate who takes courses beyond this limit will be assessed tuition.

When a candidate registers for a course during the fall, winter, or spring and summer half-terms but does not register for 995, the Registrar’s Office will add the 995 to the term and assess any required tuition.

2.3 Registration and Enrollment for Master’s and Doctorate of Musical Arts Programs

Registration for the fall or winter terms gives a student access to student services for the term of enrollment. Students who are enrolled full-time during the fall and winter terms and during either the spring or summer half terms have access to these services during the half term they are not enrolled; some services may be at personal expense.

A master’s student or D.M.A. precandidate who is not on Detached Study must enroll in the graduate school at least once within a calendar year (12 months) or must apply for readmission.

2.3.1 Detached Study for D.M.A. and Master’s Students

D.M.A. and master’s students may, with approval and under certain conditions, not enroll for fall or winter term but remain active in the program. Detached study is a registration status available to students who are not enrolled for courses or directed research but are working toward completion of the degree as a primary activity. Ph.D. students are not eligible. Detached study assures the student of return at the end of the period of detached study without the need for readmission and may be used for certification to the student’s employer or to an external agency granting support. Students on detached study may continue to defer or apply for student loans.

Students working as a GSI, GSRA, or in any other capacity at the university, including hourly employment, or who are using laboratory facilities or taking examinations (including preliminary examinations and the oral defense), may not have detached study status.

International students who elect detached study must work full-time on their studies to maintain their visa status.

A student’s primary activity while on detached study should be work toward the degree that does not require access to university services apart from library privileges, a computing account, and certain forms of financial aid. Detached study may not be used for medical reasons or job search purposes.

To be eligible for detached study, a student must:

• be an active student in a Rackham master’s or D.M.A. program who has completed at least one term;
• have been registered at least one full or half term in the previous twelve months or be a D.M.A. candidate;
• not be registered for the requested period of detached study;
• be in good academic standing with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher;
• be within the time limit for the degree (i.e., five years for a master’s degree or seven for a D.M.A.; a student who exceeds the limit must petition for an extension of time to degree) (sections 5, 4.1);
• have submitted to Rackham Admissions a final official transcript of the undergraduate degree (or equivalent) and the date it was awarded; and
• state when any uncompleted course will be completed.

Only one period of detached study of no more than twelve months can be approved at a time, for a combined total of no more than three years (nine full terms, including spring/summer) during the course of study for the degree. The Detached Study online form must be submitted by the program’s graduate coordinator to Rackham OARD no sooner than five months prior to the beginning of the requested detached study period and no later than the last day of classes for the first term of the requested detached study period. Detached study will not be granted retroactively for any reason.

Students returning from detached study to full-time registration status do not need to seek readmission. Students who enroll for courses while on detached study automatically lose their detached study status.

2.3.2 Disenrollment and Withdrawal from a Master’s or D.M.A. Program

Disenrolling from a Term

A student in a master’s or D.M.A. program may disenroll from a term up until the last day of classes of the term by notifying the Registrar’s Office, providing their university identification number, the name of their graduate program, and the term when disenrollment should take effect. A fee is assessed if a student disenrolls after the first day of classes. Tuition will not be charged if the student disenrolls before the end of the third week of classes of a full term or before the end of the second week of the spring or summer half terms, but after these dates prorated tuition will be charged according to dates and amounts set by the Registrar. For complete information, see the Registrar’s website.

Withdrawing may affect eligibility for federal financial assistance and repayment obligations, and the Office of Financial Aid should be consulted.

International students in master’s or D.M.A. programs must consult with the International Center before disenrolling or withdrawing, as this will affect their visa status.

2.3.3 Readmission to a Master’s, D.M.A., or Certificate Program

A master’s student or D.M.A. precandidate who has not been enrolled in the graduate school for more than one year (12 months) and is not enrolled by the end of a period of Detached Study must apply to the graduate school for readmission. A student who has been placed on probation after exceeding the time limit for reaching candidacy or completing the degree, and who is subsequently dismissed for failing to demonstrate sufficient progress, may be allowed to seek readmission (section 3.5). Readmission is dependent upon approval by the graduate program and availability of space and facilities for the term in which readmission is requested. International students seeking readmission must certify proof of adequate funding so Rackham Admissions can issue the appropriate visa documents.

The graduate program may ask a student who seeks readmission after withdrawing for health reasons to provide a physician’s certification of readiness to return to active status (section 2.7). If a student seeking readmission was on probationary admission, academic probation, or extended probation, that standing will continue in effect if readmission is granted, unless the graduate program and the graduate school remove or modify the status. If a student is dismissed or required to withdraw, readmission may be granted only by obtaining approval of the graduate program and the graduate school.

2.4 Within-Semester Medical Accommodation

Faculty and graduate programs should make reasonable accommodations for course-related work and other academic deadlines when students have a brief illness or other health-related difficulty during the term. Consultations about health-related services are available at University Health Services, Counseling and Psychological Services, the Psychological Clinic, and Services for Students with Disabilities.

2.4.1 Continued Student Funding

Graduate students who are unable to fully meet academic responsibilities because of physical illness, mental health issues, or injury for more than 10 days and up to six weeks in a consecutive 12-month period will continue to receive their scheduled funding (tuition, stipend, benefits) regardless of source while they remain registered. 

The graduate student should notify the graduate program chair when they realize that they will be unable to resume normal academic responsibilities within 10 days. While a student who is funded during this period is not exempted from the program’s expectation of academic progress, the graduate program chair and advisor are expected to work with a student who steps away to determine if further accommodations are necessary. These may include issuing grades of Incomplete (section 3.3.3) for outstanding work, or postponing candidacy or qualifying exams or other requirements. Students should be notified in writing in regards to any accommodation, with deadlines for the completion of outstanding work. For students in Ph.D. programs, the program chair and advisor may consult with the student to determine if a request for a leave of absence is the most appropriate course of action (section 2.2.2).

Students with appointments (such as GSRAs, or those covered under the GEO contract), please see U-M Academic HR policies.

2.5 Graduate Student Parental Accommodation

Graduate student parental accommodation allows a student to maintain registered full-time student status immediately following the birth or adoption of a young child, along with all the benefits of such status, while facilitating the return to full academic participation. Eligible students may be granted a parental accommodation of up to 12 weeks while continuing to be enrolled full-time, and extension of certain time limits. Rules of research funding or external fellowships may require suspension of payments during the parental accommodation period. In this instance, the Rackham Parental Accommodation Fund may provide salary or stipend, and benefits.

A student must submit a Request for Graduate Student Parental Accommodation after consultation with their advisor, principal investigator, and graduate chair. The form must be submitted to the student’s graduate program office for approval and forwarded to Rackham for authorization. The student provides Rackham with appropriate documentation of the anticipated birth or adoption (a letter from the student’s medical provider with an estimate of delivery date or from the adoption agency with an estimate of placement date). Further information is found on the Graduate Student Parental Accommodation Policy section of Rackham’s website.

For other family care issues affecting time to degree, see section 2.6.

2.6 Time Limit Extensions for Family Care

Demands of caring for immediate family (such as children, ill or injured partners, or aging parents) may seriously affect the time that graduate students can devote to educational responsibilities. When combining educational pursuits with dependent care becomes difficult, a graduate student may request a one year extension to the time limits for achieving degree, candidacy, and fellowship eligibility (section 4.5, 4.4.1, 5). “Family” is defined according to the University’s Standard Practice Guide (SPG 201.11) to include the student’s spouse or domestic partner with whom the student shares living accommodations and expenses, and, without regard to their place of residence, the child, sibling, parent, grandparent, or other related individual whose primary care is the responsibility of the student. A student should use the Rackham “Petition for Modification or Waiver of Regulation” form, explaining the reasons for the request. The graduate chair reviews and approves petitions with input, as needed, from the graduate school.

2.7 Emergency Mental and Physical Health Withdrawal and Reinstatement

The university reserves the right to request or require students to withdraw from the university when mental or physical health-related behavior significantly disrupts the ability of the student or other students, faculty, or staff to participate in the educational and research programs or employment opportunities of the university. A student who withdraws at the request or requirement of the university has the opportunity to engage in a structured and supportive process of withdrawal and subsequent re-entry that is designed to facilitate the student’s likelihood of success. Students who withdraw or are withdrawn under this policy may be considered for reinstatement following a determination by the Vice President for Student Affairs or designee that the behaviors that led to withdrawal have, for the most part, been eliminated. Full details of this policy are available online.

Ph.D. students have the option of seeking a Leave of Absence for medical reasons (section 2.2.2).

Adjustments to tuition and fee charges for an emergency leave that begins after the start of a term are made according to the schedule set by the Registrar’s Office. Emergency leaves do not reverse the charges set by this schedule.

2.8 Retroactive Term Withdrawal

Any request to retroactively withdraw from the term after the last day of classes must meet the following conditions and be approved by the Dean of the Graduate School:

1. A retroactive withdrawal will be considered only within twelve months from the end of the term.
2. There must be a compelling case with documentation to support the exception, including a sufficient explanation of why the student did not seek an incomplete or withdrawal during the term.
3. The retroactive withdrawal will apply to all classes in the term unless a physical or mental health problem prevented the student from finishing a particular class.

2.9 Change of Graduate Program

An application to change from one graduate program to another within the graduate school requires full consideration by the new program’s admissions committee. The student must submit a full application and contact the new program about required supporting materials. An international student seeking to change a program must document availability of sufficient funding if the change will extend the expected study period.

Doctoral students in some programs may receive a master’s in their field on the way to the doctorate. A student who wishes to change from one degree program to another within the same department or field of specialization, however, such as from the master’s program in Economics to the doctoral program in Economics, must follow the procedures described above. A candidate who applies to change to another doctoral program will revert to precandidacy status. For adding a second degree program, see section 6.

2.10 Special Arrangements for On-Campus and Off-Campus Course Enrollment

The Rackham Graduate School has degree programs at the Dearborn and Flint campuses. Students generally enroll in courses on their home campus—Ann Arbor, Dearborn, or Flint—and must fulfill the minimum credit hour requirement for the degree at their home campus.

Depending on the availability of space, a student at one of the three U-M campuses may take courses for credit offered at another U-M campus. Subject to approval by their home program, master’s students may take courses offered by a Rackham program at another U-M campus and earn up to half the credits required for the degree. Programs on the Flint and Dearborn campuses list graduate courses, but students should confirm in advance that a course is available for graduate credit. Grades earned for these courses will be calculated as part of the GPA. Credits earned at the Dearborn or Flint campuses in a non-Rackham program may be eligible for transfer to a Rackham master’s degree, for up to a limit of six credits (section 5.1). Students must check with the host program about tuition charges.

Ann Arbor students electing a course at Dearborn or Flint must complete a guest application.

• Dearborn Guest Application
• Flint Guest Application

Dearborn and Flint students electing a course at Ann Arbor must complete a guest application.

• Ann Arbor Guest Application.

Students are responsible for arranging to have a transcript sent to their home campus along with a “Request for Transfer Credit Form.” For more information, contact: Dearborn Graduate Studies Office, 1055 Administration Building, (313) 583-6321; or Flint Office of Graduate Programs, 251 Frances Willson Thompson Library, (810) 762-3171.

2.10.1 Consortial agreements for courses outside the University of Michigan

The University of Michigan participates in reciprocal agreements with the Michigan Intercollegiate Graduate Study Program (MIGS) and the Big Ten Academic Alliance that allow students to take courses or use facilities uniquely available at an institution other than their own.

The Big Ten Academic Alliance, a consortium that includes the University of Chicago, sponsors the Traveling Scholar Program which enables doctoral students to spend up to a full academic year taking courses or working in library and other collections, laboratories and research facilities at other member institutions. Traveling Scholars pay regular fees to their home institution, where they remain registered, and pay no additional tuition. Visits are limited to two semesters, or three quarters, and graduate credits earned at the host university are automatically accepted by the home university. The application is available online. 

The Michigan Intercollegiate Graduate Study Program (MIGS) allows graduate students to take advantage of an academic opportunity at another Michigan university that is not available on the student’s home campus. A master’s student may enroll at a host institution for up to six credit hours while doctoral students may enroll for up to nine credit hours. Credit hours earned elsewhere do not count towards the Required Fee Totals for D.M.A. students (section 1.4). The application is available online.

2.11 Non-Candidate for Degree Status

A student admitted to a graduate program with NCFD status (section 1.2) who wishes to be admitted to the program for a degree must submit a new full application. Courses elected by a student with NCFD status cannot be counted toward a degree unless the student is admitted to the degree program and the graduate chair and the graduate school determine that the courses are acceptable. An international student with NCFD status must submit to Rackham Admissions documentation of sufficient funding for the additional study period.