Doctoral Degree
Dissertation Proposal and Admission to Candidacy

DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY (Ph.D.) DEGREE

Because the Ph.D. program is heavily based on independent research, each student must write a proposal describing his/her proposed dissertation research following the technical guidelines established by the department.   The proposal must be presented to and orally defended before the student's advisory committee.   The proposal must be presented within one year after the qualifying examination is passed.   Upon approval of the student's dissertation proposal, the advisory committee will recommend the student's admission to candidacy subject to the approval of the Director of Graduate Programs and the Dean of the graduate School.