8.2 PhD course requirements

The Graduate School establishes the minimum course credit requirement within which the specific course requirements exists (Graduate School Handbook, Section 7.1).  A minimum of 80 graduate credit hours beyond the bachelor's degree is required to earn a doctoral degree. If a master’s degree has been earned by the student, then a minimum of 50 graduate credit hours beyond the master’s degree is required. If the master’s degree was earned at another university, it must be transferred to this university. A student must be registered for at least three graduate credit hours during the semester(s) or summer term(s) of the candidacy examination, the semester or summer term of the final oral examination, and the semester or summer term of expected graduation. 

PhD programs within the College of Public Health require between 80 and 90 credit hours to earn the degree. Students should consult their curriculum guides for confirmation of total hours required. A maximum of 20 credit hours may be given for dissertation research.

All students who successfully complete the doctoral candidacy examination will be required to be enrolled in three graduate credit hours in every semester of their candidacy (summer session excluded) until graduation. (Graduate School Handbook, Section 7.7)

Post-candidacy students receiving funding through an assistantship or fellowship are required to be enrolled in summer, and should consult with their funding source.