PhD Process

Admission to Ph.D. Candidacy

The student becomes a Ph.D. candidate upon passing a qualifying examination. He/she is strongly urged to take the qualifying examination as soon possible, but no later than two academic semesters after completion of his/her M.S. course requirements. 

The Ph.D. candidacy examination is composed of a written examination followed by an oral qualifying (proposal) examination.  

• Written Examination: The written examination consists of a 3-hour closed book written examination offered by the committee. An oral examination may be required from the committee member depending on the results of the written examination. The examination is given by a committee made up of faculty members from the CEE graduate program. 
• Proposal Examination (Qualifying): The student will submit a short thesis proposal to his/her Ph.D. committee at least one week prior to the oral examination. The student must bring with him/her the form "Application for Admission to Candidacy for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy” obtainable from the Graduate School. The examination will cover the proposed research. Approval of this form represents admission to Ph.D. candidacy. 

Ph.D. Committee 

The graduate director, in consultation with the student’s advisor, during the time interval between the written and oral qualifying examinations, will appoint the student’s Ph.D. committee. The committee will be responsible for conducting the oral qualifying examination, for supervising the thesis research, and conducting the public thesis defense.im

Dissertation Defense 

This public examination covers the student's Ph.D. research work and thesis. His/her Ph.D. committee will conduct it. One dissenting vote is allowed to pass the student for the degree.