Summary of Degree Requirements

1. The Ph.D. degree requires completion of at least 60 credits of approved graduate coursework (post-baccalaureate).
   
   
2. Candidates for the Ph.D. may transfer a maximum of 30 hours of credit from other universities. Acceptance or validation of transfer credit toward the Ph.D. is the responsibility of the Executive Officer.
   
   
3. Candidates must complete a required set of courses in research techniques: statistics (6 credits), research design (3 credits), and instrumentation (3 credits).
   
   
4. Students must also complete a 2-credit professional issues seminar. Entering students must take only those courses offered at The Graduate Center during the first year of study, after which they may also register for courses at the senior colleges.
   
   
5. Candidates must pass the First Examination. Students may not continue in the program after completing 45 graduate credits if they have not taken the First Examination.
   
   
6. Candidates must complete a full-time year (two consecutive semesters) in residence within the first three years of matriculation in the program.
   
   
7. Candidates must complete a pre-dissertation research project under the supervision of a faculty member prior to the Second Examination.
   
   
8. Candidates must complete at least four 800-level courses in the discipline exclusive of Independent Study. Courses in related disciplines may be taken in addition to, not in lieu of these four courses.
   
   
9. Candidates must pass the Second (Candidacy) Examination upon satisfactory completion of all course requirements and the pre-dissertation research project.
   
   
10. Candidates must enroll in Dissertation Seminar every semester until their dissertation proposal has been approved by their dissertation committee.
    
    
11. Candidates must submit a dissertation that has been supervised and approved by a dissertation committee. It is defended before the dissertation committee and an outside examiner.

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