PhD Program Overview
Steps to successful completion of the PhD Degree
The time required to complete the requirements of the PhD degree varies from individual to individual, though the average completion time is four years. The steps involved in successful completion of the program are listed below:
- Obtain admission to the program. Application Packet
- Student meets with the Associate Dean who will temporarily serve as academic advisor until a permanent advisor is chosen.
- A permanent academic advisor is appointed within the first or second semester of study based on the student's area of interest.
- Student completes the core and concentration courses.
- A PhD Committee chaired by the academic advisor is established. This committee includes a minimum of three faculty members from each of the two campuses. Candidacy Exam Committee Form
- Student takes the candidacy (qualifying) exam. The first part of the exam is in written format, and it is followed by an oral exam administered within two weeks after the written exam. Following the grading process, the academic advisor reports the results of the candidacy (qualifying) exam to the Associate Dean for Research and Development. If the student is successful, a request is filed with the Graduate School to obtain candidacy status for the student. Candidacy Exam Results Form | Candidacy Admission Form
- A Ph.D. committee is formed. Committee is comprised of at least five faculty members and chaired by the advisor. Graduate Faculty Committee Approval Form
- Student defends the dissertation proposal. The academic advisor sends the Dissertation Proposal Approval Form and a copy of the proposal to the Associate Dean for Research and Development. Dissertation Proposal Approval Form
- Student defends dissertation. Oral Dissertation Form is completed and forwarded to the Graduate School. (This form, and the Dissertation Approval Form, must be printed on 25% cotton fiber paper). Oral Dissertation Form | Dissertation Approval Form | Graduation Application
