Admission to Candidacy

A written application for admission to candidacy for the Ph.D. degree must be submitted during the second year; according to Graduate School rules it should be submitted two weeks before the comprehensive examination. Upon approval of the thesis proposal by the Comprehensive Exam Committee, the student is admitted to Ph.D. candidacy, provided that all other Graduate School requirements are met including at least four semesters of residency, excluding summers. After admission to candidacy the student must maintain continuous enrollment until completion of the dissertation defense, usually for 7 credit hours per semester. Students not making use of campus facilities may petition for 3-credit hour status.