Program Changes / Readmission
Program Change Policy
Students are admitted to and enroll in specific degree programs and requests to switch programs will only be considered in exceptional circumstances. A student's request to change programs will only be considered in the student's first term, by the university's last day to add classes. This policy excludes:
- Dual Degrees where students can apply to add a degree offered with their current program by dates outlined by Admissions.
- MSF-9 month students can petition to add a concentration and extend their program to 16-months through Academic Affairs.
Should a student be interested in applying for a program change, either during the application process or after the final deposit deadline of June 1, the following steps will be taken.
- The student contacts the Admissions Office to discuss a possible program change. Should the student wish to proceed with the program change, the student will submit a Program Change Request form via Slate. As part of the request form, the student must include a detailed statement indicating why the student is requesting the program change.
- Prior to June 1: Upon receipt of the form, the Admissions Office will evaluate the request and the student’s original application. The Admissions Office will submit the application to the new program’s Admissions Committee with a recommendation as to whether the student is a viable candidate for the new program. This application will be assessed with the subsequent round’s applications. The committee will make a recommendation to the Senior Associate Dean on whether the program change request should be approved or denied. The Senior Associate Dean will make a final decision as to whether the program change request will be approved or denied.
- After June 1: Upon receipt of the form, the Admissions Office will evaluate the request and the student’s original application. The Admissions Office will submit the application to the Program Director and Program Adviser of the new program, with a recommendation as to whether the student is a viable candidate for the new program. The Director of Admissions, Program Director and Program Adviser will make a recommendation to the Senior Associate Dean on whether the program change request should be approved or denied. The Senior Associate Dean will make a final decision as to whether the program change request will be approved or denied.
- The student receives his/her decision in writing from the Admissions Office.
Should the program change be denied, the student may choose to enroll in his/her original program, with the understanding that the student may not attempt to switch programs again at any time during his/her studies.
Dropping a Dual Degree
Dual Degree students may petition to drop one program and graduate with only one degree. Students who graduate with three semester degrees (MSF or MSBA) will be charged three semesters of dual degree tuition. Students who graduate with four semester degrees (MA or MBA) will be charged three semesters of dual degree tuition and charged their final program tuition in the 4th semester. Students may take a full course load in their final semester.
Readmission
A readmission applicant is any student previously enrolled in a graduate program who would like to apply to return to the same degree program. Students who have withdrawn, whose leave of absence has expired, who were academically dismissed, or who were previously enrolled in a graduate program and were unable to meet the required minimum degree completion timeline are eligible to go through the readmission process.
Students who wish to be considered for a different program than the one in which they were previously enrolled must submit a full application for the new program through the Graduate Admissions Office.
Please note that graduate coursework will normally only apply toward the master's degrees if the coursework was completed within five years of the term for which the student is applying for readmission. Readmission to the PhD degree requires committee review in order to evaluate which course work still applies. Students should contact their Program Advisor to initiate the reapplication process.
The student's program will determine in each case whether a student should be readmitted. If the program's requirements have changed during the student's absence or the student is not deemed current in his or her field of study, the program may require the student to repeat or supplement previous academic requirements, including qualifying exams. When a student is reinstated, he or she will be informed of current status regarding credits and time to degree.
Students reapplying to their previous academic program must submit the following:
- Application
- Résumé
- Recommendation Letters: Two recommendation letters; one letter must be from a colleague or supervisor with whom you worked in the past year.
- Reapplication Essay: Please describe the circumstances contributing to your previous withdrawal from the graduate program. This essay must state all reasons which, in the opinion of the applicant, should cause the Admissions Committee to conclude that you are now sufficiently able to complete the program.
- Transcript(s): Readmission applicants need only supply transcripts of coursework they have completed outside of Brandeis since leaving.