SEAS Student Handbook 2020-2021

the first year of enrollment in the doctoral program. Any petitions submitted after this
period will not be considered.
Doctoral degree status can be changed only once; students, therefore, must
determine which doctoral degree program is most appropriate for their academic and
professional endeavors.
Departmental requirements may include comprehensive written and oral qualifying
examinations. A student must have a satisfactory grade-point average to be admitted
to the doctoral qualifying examination. Thereafter, the student must write a dissertation
embodying original research under the sponsorship of a member of his or her
department and submit it to the department. If the department recommends the
dissertation for defense, the student applies for final examination, which is held before
an examining committee approved by the appropriate Dean’s Office. This application
must be made at least three weeks before the date of the final examination.
The defense of the dissertation constitutes the final test of the candidate’s
qualifications. It must be demonstrated that the candidate has made a contribution to
knowledge in a chosen area. In content the dissertation should, therefore, be a
distinctly original contribution in the selected field of study. In form it must show the
mastery of written English, which is expected of a university graduate.
Ph.D. Degree
A student must obtain the master’s degree (M.S.) before enrolling as a candidate for
the Ph.D. degree. Application for admission as a doctoral candidate may be made
while a student is enrolled as a master’s degree candidate. Candidates for the Ph.D.
degree must register full time and complete six Residence Units. The minimum
requirement in coursework for the doctoral degree is 60 points of credit beyond the
bachelor’s degree. A master’s degree from an accredited institution may be accepted
in the form of advanced standing as the equivalent of one year of residence (30 points
of credit and two Residence Units). An application for advanced standing must be
completed during the first semester of study. Ph.D. candidates will be required to
complete no less than 30 additional points of credit in residence for a letter grade
beyond the M.S.
Ph.D. candidates should obtain a copy of the bulletin of the Graduate School of Arts
and Sciences, in which are printed the requirements of the department of major
interest.
Eng.Sc.D. Degree
A student must obtain the master’s degree (M.S.) before enrolling as a candidate for
the Eng.Sc.D. degree. The minimum requirement in coursework for the doctoral degree
is 60 points of credit beyond the bachelor’s degree. Eng.Sc.D. candidates will be
required to complete a minimum of 30 additional points of credit in residence beyond
the M.S. for a letter grade. A master’s degree from an accredited institution may be
accepted in the form of advanced standing as the equivalent of 30 points of credit.
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