Program Change

Students are admitted to a specific degree program based upon their qualifications for the program. When an ACE student seeks to change to a different ACE degree program or wishes to switch to a non-degree option, the student may request the change by completing the Program Change Request Form. The student must meet all current admissions requirements for the new program and submit all required documentation, if not already on file.

The request is reviewed and approved by the Admissions office.

• If approved, the change of degree program will become effective the next term for matriculated students, and current term for non-matriculated students.
• If approved, the student will follow the program requirements for the degree program according to the catalog in effect at the time the change is granted.
• The maximum time to complete the new degree begins with the first term of the new degree program.

American College of Education (ACE) requires a doctoral candidate’s’ dissertation study aligns with the content area of their doctoral degree program. This alignment ensures candidates graduate with research expertise in areas directly related to their doctoral degree. 

Candidates may request program changes from one doctoral program to another doctoral program prior to enrolling in RES6512 Research Concept Paper. Candidates will be required to take any additional content coursework required in the new degree program. 

Candidates may not request program changes from one doctoral program to another doctoral program after enrollment in RES6512 Research Concept Paper. This assures a candidate’s concept paper and dissertation study align with the content area of their degree program. 

If an appeal for a program change is filed and granted after completion of RES6512, in addition to new content courses for the degree, the candidate may be required to retake any dissertation sequence course necessary to align their concept paper and dissertation with the new doctoral degree program.  This includes possible retakes of RES6512 Research Concept Paper, RES6521 Research Methodology, RES6531 Literature Review, RES6541 Finalizing the Dissertation Proposal, RES6551 Analyzing the Dissertation Research, RES6561 Interpreting the Dissertation Research, or RES6302 Defending the Dissertation.   

When an ACE Ed.S. student wishes to change to an ACE Ed.D. degree program, and has not yet matriculated, must complete the admissions requirements before being reviewed for admission.

Students who have already matriculated will be required to submit a new application, pay the full application fee, and complete the additional admissions requirements, specific to the intended Ed.D. program of interest.

Applicants who applied for a master’s degree program and wish to change to a doctoral program and have not yet matriculated, must pay the additional fee and complete the additional admission requirements before being reviewed for admission to the new program.

Students who have already matriculated must re-apply to the doctoral program, pay the full application fee, and complete the additional admission requirements before being reviewed for admission.

Applicants who applied for a bachelor’s program and wish to change to a master’s program and have not yet matriculated, must complete the additional admission requirements before being reviewed for admission.

Students who have already matriculated must re-apply to the master’s program, pay the full application fee, and complete the additional admission requirements before being reviewed for admission to the new program.

Students admitted to a non-degree certificate or micro-credential program who seek to change their course of study to a degree program and have not completed the certificate/credential, may request the change by completing the Program Change Request Form and submitting all additional admission documentation required for the new program.  The request is reviewed and approved by Admissions office.      

• Students who wish to change from a bachelor’s level certificate or micro-credential, to a master’s or doctoral program, must submit a new application, pay full application fee, and complete the additional admissions requirements before being reviewed for admission to the new program.          
• If the student is already in the last course of their certificate/credential, the student will have to re-apply to the degree program of interest                  

Matriculated students who are enrolled as a student at-large and wish to enroll in a degree-granting program must officially withdraw from the non-degree program or complete any active enrollments in SAL coursework. Student will be required to submit a new application, pay full application fee, and meet all admissions requirements of new program.   

Students who were admitted as a provisional student at-large, must submit a Program Change Request Form after successfully completing three courses to be fully admitted into their previously applied degree program.                   

Students who are enrolled as a student at-large or micro-credential and wish to change their course of study to a certificate program must submit a new application, pay full application fee, and meet all admission requirements for new program. The request is reviewed and approved by Admissions.                                        

Students who are enrolled in a program that requires a major or focus of study, who wish to change or add an additional major or focus of study, can do so by submitting a Major or Focus of Study Selection form. A couple of things to note:

• Only courses part of the new major or focus of study will count towards credit requirements.
• A change in major or focus of study may cause a gap in scheduling as these courses are NOT offered every term.