Transfering from IU CS Master's Program to Ph.D.

• A new statement of purpose. This should identify the research area you plan on entering, and who in the faculty you plan on working with.
• Updated letters of recommendation. You don't need to get three new ones, but you need at least one letter from a member of the Computer Science graduate faculty saying that you are potentially a student whose dissertation he or she will direct. Note that this does not imply an obligation on either yours or the faculty member's part.

In addition, you should examine the Ph.D. program requirements and then consult with the graduate program director as soon as you start considering a transfer to the Ph.D. program. Note that there is a "Q" option for the M.Sc. degree, which allows a qualifying exam to replace some courses. This is a good path for students who are considering the Ph.D. but have not yet decided upon it. Students transferring from the IU Computer Science M.Sc. program must take both qualifiers in the August preceding their first year as Ph.D. students, and must pass both in August preceding their second year as Ph.D. students.

You can transfer at any time during your M.Sc. career, but bear in mind that offers for admission and aid start going out to new students at the end of December. To be considered for financial aid you should notify the department in November or December if possible.

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