#  Masters in Passing 

 



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A Masters in Passing/en route master’s degree (AM) is granted to enrolled PhD students, earned via their work completed typically in the first two years of graduate school, and conferred while they are still enrolled and continuing on in the PhD. This degree is optional. PhD students are not required to apply for the master’s in passing.

G3+ OGE PhD Program students who are in satisfactory status, may apply for a masters in passing. The student must have successfully:

- completed program course requirements
- completed required rotations
- performed at least 6 months of research in their dissertation advisor’s laboratory
- passed their PQE
- maintained a satisfactory [grade-point average](https://gsas.harvard.edu/policy/grade-and-examination-requirements)

You can learn how to apply for a master’s in passing in my.harvard via [the Knowledge Center](https://harvard.service-now.com/ithelp?id=kb_article&sys_id=f315bae21baa585c351ceb9bbc4bcb71). For any questions, please contact [ogephd\_defense@hms.harvard.edu](mailto:ogephd_defenses@hms.harvard.edu).

  
The degree is awarded three times a year, with the following deadlines below.



 

 November 2026 February 2027 May 2026 

## November 2026

SortAugust 1, 2026

**Online Degree Application deadline for November Degrees.**

Apply through your "My Program" on my.Harvard.edu. Detailed instructions on how to apply for the degree can be found in the [Knowledge Center](https://harvard.service-now.com/ithelp?id=kb_article&sys_id=f315bae21baa585c351ceb9bbc4bcb71). You will also need to apply to graduate. Instructions can be found [here](https://harvard.service-now.com/ithelp?id=kb_article&sys_id=9772707c479ab91001b1f13a536d43ca).

The application has been open since mid-March.



November 10, 2026

Degree conferral date





 

 

 

## February 2027

 SortDecember 1, 2026



**Online Degree Application deadline for February Degrees.**

Apply through your "My Program" on my.Harvard.edu. Detailed instructions on how to apply for the degree can be found in the [Knowledge Center](https://harvard.service-now.com/ithelp?id=kb_article&sys_id=f315bae21baa585c351ceb9bbc4bcb71). You will also need to apply to graduate. Instructions can be found [here](https://harvard.service-now.com/ithelp?id=kb_article&sys_id=9772707c479ab91001b1f13a536d43ca).

The application opens on September 30, 2026.



February 9, 2026



Degree conferral date





 

 

 

## May 2026

 SortMarch 24, 2027

**Online Degree Application deadline for May Degrees.**

Apply through your "My Program" on my.Harvard.edu. Detailed instructions on how to apply for the degree can be found in the [Knowledge Center](https://harvard.service-now.com/ithelp?id=kb_article&sys_id=f315bae21baa585c351ceb9bbc4bcb71). You will also need to apply to graduate. Instructions can be found [here](https://harvard.service-now.com/ithelp?id=kb_article&sys_id=9772707c479ab91001b1f13a536d43ca).

The application opens on February 10, 2027



May 27, 2027

Degree conferral date