Application data include the total number of applications for an entering Fall cohort, the number admitted to the program, and the total number who enrolled at MSU in that program.

Median GRE scores for those programs that require the GRE (not all programs require the GRE) and the range of GRE scores of those applicants who enrolled at MSU. There is a wide range of acceptable GRE scores for many programs indicating that the GRE is not the most important criterion for admission. MSU faculty conduct a holistic review of the applications looking at all of the information that you provide. Your personal and professional statements and letters of recommendation are important elements for admission into doctoral programs. NOTE: GRE score scale is changing as Fall Semester 2011. https://www.ets.org/gre.html

Median TOEFL (or IELTS) and range of scores are reported for applicants enrolled at MSU whose first language is not English.

MSU minimum scores for admission for English Language Proficiency tests are summarized: English Language Competency

The minimum scores are set by the University Committee on Graduate Studies with advice from the MSU English Language Center. Many programs require higher minimum scores. Competency in English is needed to help ensure your success. Additional tests may be given on campus, if you will be a graduate teaching assistant.

Median undergraduate GPA on a 4.0 scale is for those applicants who attended MSU as an undergraduate.

Current enrollment provides information about the students currently in the program with whom you will interact as colleagues. Gender data are reported for all students. Race/ethnicity data are for U.S. citizens and permanent residents.

Doctoral student funding reports the percent of either new or continuing graduate students who are offered (if new) or have (if continuing) a “full funding” package. “Full funding” is typically a ½ time (20 hours/week) graduate assistantship or a fellowship or a combination of both for a similar amount, but does vary by graduate program. You can find more information about funding at MSU: http://grad.msu.edu/funding/ or by contacting the graduate program in which you are interested.

Ph.D. completion data table follows 3 entering cohorts of students and summarizes the number of students who completed the Ph.D. degree, the number of students who left without any degree, the number of students who left with a Master’s degree, and the number of students who successfully passed Ph.D. comprehensive (“comp”) exams. Data are also provided on number of students and the approximate time (<6 - >8 years) required to complete the degree, the number of students still enrolled, and the 8-year completion percentage—that is, of the students who entered the degree program originally for a given year, the percentage who completed the Ph.D. within 8 years.

Keep in mind that there may be many reasons for students to not complete a Ph.D. program; e.g., some move to other institutions, some change majors, some have personal circumstances that intervene, and some complete with a master’s degree. You can find the completion data for programs across the U.S. (for 2005-06) by visiting the National Research Council Assessment of Research Doctoral: https://www.nationalacademies.org/our-work/an-assessment-of-research-doctorate-programs

Time-to-degree is reported as a median for the most recent 3 years of the program. The number of students on which this is calculated is also provided. This gives you an idea of how long it may take, based on current student experiences, to complete a Ph.D. in this program. You can find the time-to-degree data for programs across the U.S. (for 2005-06) by visiting the National Research Council Assessment of Research Doctoral: https://www.nationalacademies.org/our-work/an-assessment-of-research-doctorate-programs

Initial placement of Ph.D. graduates for the most recent 3 years by general category. These data give a sense of the variety of employment sectors most common for the first placement of Ph.D. graduates from this program.