Degree Requirements

The Ph.D. requires at least three years of full-time study beyond the bachelor’s degree, equivalent to at least 90 semester hours, including a dissertation representing at least 30 hours of research credit. Students who hold a master’s degree may request transfer of up to 30 hours of that degree toward a Ph.D. 

The Ph.D. is awarded to candidates who have demonstrated unique ability as scholars and researchers as well as proficiency in communication. The degree also certifies that the candidate has displayed familiarity and understanding of the subject matter in the discipline and possesses the ability to make original contributions to knowledge.

The Doctoral Program of Study must include: 

a) a minimum of 15 hours of graded coursework beyond the Master’s degree (all 15 hours MUST be at the 800 level or above, in addition to doctoral research credit hours) for candidates entering the Ph.D. program with a Master’s degree.
 
OR
 
a minimum of 30 hours of graded coursework beyond the Bachelor’s degree (including at least 15 hours at the 800 level or above, in addition to doctoral research credit hours) for students who bypass the master’s degree. 

b) no more than 12 credit hours of 500 level courses are permitted in a doctoral program. No 500-level course taken in the student’s department may appear in the program of study. 

c) a minimum of 30 hours of doctoral research credit. 

d) the PhD candidate must satisfy the 75% attendance requirement (0 credit hour) in at least four semesters of ME800 Graduate Seminar/Research Paper. (refer to ME800 course requirements)