Ph.D. Research Credits

Research credits for Ph.D. Students

There are two types of research credits Ph.D. students will be registered for during different stages in the program:

  1. ENME 898 or ENRE 898 credits: Pre-candidacy Doctoral Research 
  • These credits are taken before a student advances to candidacy but are not required; students should work with their advisor to verify if they need to register for these credits in any given semester.
  • Students can register for 898 credits in any semester prior to advancing to candidacy.
  • Students can register for 898 credits as many times as needed.
  • 1 credit of 898 = 18 units per credit hour.
  • Research credits are not used towards GPA calculations.

2. ENME 899 or ENRE 899: Doctoral Dissertation Research

  • These are credits students are enrolled in after they advance to candidacy.
  • The Office of the Registrar will automatically enroll these students in 6 credits of 899 after candidacy every Spring & Fall semester until they graduate, even if the student has reached the required 12 credits of 899; this is a University policy.
  • Students cannot register themselves for 899 credits in the Spring & Fall.
  • 1 credit of 899 = 18 units.
  • Research credits are not used towards GPA calculations.

How to register for 898 credits:

  • Students should work with their advisor to determine how many 898 credits they need to register for.
  • Email megrad@umd.edu for permission to register. In the email, please include your name, UID, advisor’s name, and semester you need registration permission for.
  • Typically, our office will grant students permission within 48-72 hours and provide a section code that corresponds with the student’s specific advisor; students must use that section code to register for 898 credits in Testudo.