<h2>PhD Program Overview</h2> <h3>Steps to successful completion of the PhD Degree</h3> <p>The time required to complete the requirements of the PhD degree varies from individual to individual, though the average completion time is four years.&nbsp; The steps involved in successful completion of the program are listed below:</p> <ol type="1"> <li>Obtain admission to the program.&nbsp; <a href="/id0904f67a804e12e0">Application Packet</a></li> <li>Student meets with the Associate Dean who will temporarily serve as academic advisor until a permanent advisor is chosen.</li> <li>A permanent academic advisor is appointed within the first or second semester of study based on the student's area of interest.</li> <li>Student completes the core and concentration courses.</li> <li>A PhD Committee chaired by the academic advisor is established.&nbsp; This committee includes a minimum of three faculty members from each of the two campuses. <a href="/id0904f67a80681a61">Candidacy Exam Committee Form</a></li> <li>Student takes the candidacy (qualifying) exam.&nbsp; The first part of the exam is in written format, and it is followed by an oral exam administered within two weeks after the written exam.&nbsp; Following the grading process, the academic advisor reports the results of the candidacy (qualifying) exam to the Associate Dean for Research and Development.&nbsp; If the student is successful, a request is filed with the Graduate School to obtain candidacy status for the student. <a href="/id0904f67a80681a62">Candidacy Exam Results Form</a> | <a href="/id0904f67a80681a60">Candidacy Admission Form</a></li> <li>A Ph.D. committee is formed.&nbsp; Committee is comprised of at least five faculty members and chaired by the advisor.&nbsp; <a href="/id0904f67a806848e3">Graduate Faculty Committee Approval Form</a></li> <li>Student defends the dissertation proposal. The academic advisor sends the Dissertation Proposal Approval Form and a copy of the proposal to the Associate Dean for Research and Development.&nbsp; <a href="/id0904f67a806d1e30">Dissertation Proposal Approval Form</a></li> <li>Student defends dissertation.&nbsp; Oral Dissertation Form is completed and forwarded to the Graduate School.&nbsp; (This form, and the Dissertation Approval Form,&nbsp; must be printed on 25% cotton fiber paper).&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="/id0904f67a80681a64">Oral Dissertation Form</a> | <a href="/id0904f67a806848e4">Dissertation Approval Form</a> | <a href="/id0904f67a80681a66">Graduation Application</a><br /></li> </ol>