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How to Apply for Master’s Along the Way

QSB Ph.D students upon completing the Qualifying Exam and the core course requirements are eligible to receive a Master's Along the Way (MAW) when they advance to candidacy. 

To request a MAW, please complete the following: 

  1. Complete the Advancement to Candidacy form for the PhD and check the “masters along the way” check box in the Academic Information section.  Please let your committee know that you plan on pursuing the Master’s along the way prior to filling out the form. 
    • Contact QSB Program Staff for the Advancement form. 
  2. Once the form is routed and approved, the Registrar’s Office will add the masters along the way curricula to your record and at the time you can apply for the master’s degree.  
    • DO NOT proceed to the next step until you have email confirmation about the Master's Along the Way curricula. 
  3. Complete the Graduate Student Graduation Application for the Master's Degree. There will be a fee associated with the Graduation Application that you are required to pay. Contact the Registrar (registrar@ucmerced.edu) or Graduate Division (gradservices@ucmerced.edu) if you have any questions. 
  4. Here is the Master's Checklist for Degree Completion from Graduate Division, which summarizes the necessary paperwork and other items to complete. The paperwork is briefly described below:
    • Comprehensive Exam Results - send gradservices@ucmerced.edu a copy of the Qualifying Exam Report, so they can verify you passed your QE. 
    • Final Report for the Master's Degree - complete the following sections then send the form to QSB Program Staff (qsb@ucmerced.edu), who will complete the remaining fields and email it to Graduate Division (with you cc'ed) on your behalf:
      • STUDENT section at the top (complete the entire section)
        • Degree Objective: M.S.
        • Degree Plan: Opt. 2: Comp Exam
        • Expected Graduation Term: the term you expect to receive the MAW
        • Select which type of Master's Degree: Master's Along the Way (MAW)
      • Obtain your advisor's signature on the Advisor Approval line under PROGRAM/SCHOOL SECTION
  5. Optional - register for Commencement with Graduate Division. Please note that the semester for your graduation application will dictate which commencement you participate in. 
  6. Complete items 1-5 by the posted deadlines at this link. MAW can be acquired any semester except the semester you intend to graduate with your Ph.D, as students cannot receive more than one degree in the same term. 
    • If you are requesting a MAW after​ already advancing to candidacy previously, please contact QSB Staff for directions on how to request it.

Last updated: 10/3/2025