PhD Program Requirements:
Students complete the PhD program with 72 credits of coursework, a preliminary exam, comprehensive exam, dissertation overview, a first author publication, and a dissertation defense. Most students complete the PhD program within five-six years. For an up-to-date list of required courses and rules for other requirements, please see the IDM Handbook on the PhD webpage.
Qualifying (Preliminary) Examination: At the end of the first year.
Comprehensive Examination: At the end of the second year.
Dissertation Overview: A dissertation committee is formed usually within nine months after completion of the comprehensive examination to approve the proposed topic for the student’s research.
Dissertation Defense: Final oral examination in defense of the doctoral dissertation by the dissertation committee.
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