<p>I was enrolled in a phd program but took a break from the program and have been approved to re-enter the grad program starting in the Fall 2014 semester. Because this program usually awards phD’s and not MS’s, I’m not quite sure what to do and how to plan out my coursework. I spoke to a couple of student reps in the program and they suggested I email the director of the program or just email many labs since it may be difficult to find placement as I just want to get the MS and I may have to suggest volunteering and TAing for the first semester instead of getting the RAship. </p>
<p>What I’m most concerned about is that the director may find it suspicious and have the other professors subject me to additional scrutiny for re-entering the program only to plan to leave with an MS instead of the PhD. Am I over-worrying about this? And should I tell the professors I’m emailing directly that I plan to just pursue an MS instead of the PhD, or just bring it up later? </p>