Doctoral Degree

PhD candidates are accepted with either a BS or MS degree.
All PhD candidates must pass a comprehensive examination no later than at the end of the fourth semester of residence for students without an MS degree or at the end of the second semester of residence for students with an MS degree.
course work equivalent to MS degree requirements
selected additional course work as required by dissertation topic
students without an MS must pass a qualifying examination given at the beginning of their second semester in residence.
the comprehensive exam includes oral and written parts that cover in-depth subjects in the student’s field of interestand also the breadth of several areas in this and other departments that bear on the field.
dissertation
a final examination in defense of the dissertation is required.

Department Information for Current Students