depending on institution, if you feel you can stand equal with faculty, you may apply to challenge for credits, and a full ride for uncanny ability [independent

depending on institution, if you feel you can stand equal with faculty, you may apply to challenge for credits, and a full ride for uncanny ability [independent accomplishment] get a syllibus for degree courses, and get the c.v. of faculty, as well as theses of grad student t.a. corpus. know these things inside and out, as well as recent extensions of these theses, and when you can stand up to an examination board to make successful defense vs challange, you may be ready.