Time to Degree
A total of at least 60 credits must be successfully completed for graduation from the program. The program is often completed within 4 years by students who can attend full time and year-round, or in 7 years by students who attend part-time or using the summer only option. Approximately 200 students have graduated from the program since 2000. About one-fifth completed in four years or less. The average length of time is about 6 years. However, fifteen of these graduates required ten years or more. When students who needed ten or more years to complete the degree are excluded from the analysis, the average only drops to 5 and one-half years.
Policy requires students to complete the degree within 7 years of the first day of the semester in which they attend the first doctoral program course. To assure this time-line is met, students are advised to gain candidacy status as early as possible. In the event of extraordinary circumstances, a student may petition for additional time to complete the degree. The Doctoral Program faculty will consider this petition, but the final decision is made by the Graduate School Dean. Students who do not complete at least one credit in an entire scholastic year may also be required to request permission to resume studies. Too long an absence may result in a requirement to repeat core courses and re-enter under the current rules.
