Ph.D. Degree Requirements
Examinations
During the program, three examinations must be passed. The first is the qualifying examination, which is taken near the end of the student's second semester in the program (Summer semester excluded). The qualifying examination is designed to test the student's academic progress, general knowledge of fundamentals of the field, and fitness to continue with the more specialized aspects of the doctoral program.
The second is the comprehensive examination, which is taken when the student has completed all or nearly all of the required program coursework. In general, successful completion of the comprehensive examination indicates that the student has a comprehensive knowledge of the field and the specialty and is deemed capable of completing the dissertation. The examination is an oral examination. The comprehensive examination must be passed prior to admission to candidacy.
The third examination is the defense of the dissertation. This is an oral examination and is administered by all members of the student's doctoral committee after completion of the dissertation and all course requirements. This examination must be passed at least two weeks before the date of submission and acceptance of the dissertation by The Graduate School. The major professor must submit the results of the defense by the dissertation deadline.
Time Limit and Grade Point Average
The comprehensive examination must be taken within five years, and all requirements must be completed within eight years, from the time of the student's first enrollment in a doctoral degree program.
A grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.0 (B) must be maintained in all graduate coursework.
Residence Requirements
Residence is defined as full-time registration (9-12 credit hours) for a given semester on the campus where the program is located. The summer term is included in this period. During residence, it is expected that the student will be engaged in full-time on-campus study toward a graduate degree.
For the doctoral degree, a minimum of two consecutive semesters of residence is required. A statement as to how and during what period of time the residence requirement has been met will be presented on the Application for Admission to Candidacy Form.
Program Milestones and Check List
- Obtain (make arrangements with) a supporting major professor.
- Acceptance of your application into the Ph.D. program by the IE Graduate Committee.
- Pass the qualifying examination near the end of the second semester (summer semester excluded).
- Form the doctoral committee.
- Complete coursework requirements.
- Doctoral research and dissertation proposal approved by the doctoral committee.
- Pass comprehensive examination; maximum 5 years.
- Submit the Ph.D. Admission to Candidacy Application form.
- Begin dissertation research; register continuously for at least 24 semester hours of IE 600 and complete dissertation.
- Residency requirement completed.
- Final oral examination passed in defense of dissertation research.
- Administrative requirements completed and degree conferred; maximum 8 years.