Ordinarily, students may take courses at the graduate level for credit only if they are enrolled in a degree program. However, the Rackham Graduate School does admit qualified students who wish to elect courses for graduate credit but who are not candidates for a degree.
The Non-Candidate for Degree option (NCFD) is attractive for professionals seeking to continue studies without completing a full degree course of study, students in good standing at another graduate school, and those wishing to learn whether they would like to pursue a graduate degree in a particular program.
The Program in Survey and Data Science does recommend for admission Departmental NCFD students. Students who are full time professionals thinking about graduate studies, or those interested in learning whether the Program offers courses that will help them professionally, apply for admission to the Program as a Departmental NCFD student. The regular Rackham Graduate School application forms must be completed, with official transcripts from undergraduate programs, three letters of recommendation, and a personal statement of background and interest in the field of survey methodology. Graduate Record Examination scores are not required for admission.
Application deadline for the Non-Candidate for Degree program, for domestic students, is one month prior to the first day of classes for study beginning that fall, winter, or summer term. For international students, the NCFD application deadline is two months prior to the first day of classes for study beginning that fall, winter, or summer term.