phd degree requirements

How Long Does It Take to Get a Ph.D. Degree?

Earning a Ph.D. from a U.S. grad school typically requires nearly six years, federal statistics show.

How Long It Takes to Get a Ph.D. Degree

Caiaimage | Tom Merton | Getty Images

A Ph.D. is most appropriate for someone who is a "lifelong learner."

Students who have excelled within a specific academic discipline and who have a strong interest in that field may choose to pursue a Ph.D. degree. However, Ph.D. degree-holders urge prospective students to think carefully about whether they truly want or need a doctoral degree, since Ph.D. programs last for multiple years.

According to the Survey of Earned Doctorates, a census of recent research doctorate recipients who earned their degree from U.S. institutions, the median amount of time it took individuals who received their doctorates in 2017 to complete their program was 5.8 years. However, there are many types of programs that typically take longer than six years to complete, such as humanities and arts doctorates, where the median time for individuals to earn their degree was 7.1 years, according to the survey.

Some Ph.D. candidates begin doctoral programs after they have already obtained master's degrees, which means the time spent in grad school is a combination of the time spent pursuing a master's and the years invested in a doctorate. In order to receive a Ph.D. degree, a student must produce and successfully defend an original academic dissertation, which must be approved by a dissertation committtee. Writing and defending a dissertation is so difficult that many Ph.D. students drop out of their Ph.D. programs having done most of the work necessary for degree without completing the dissertation component. These Ph.D. program dropouts often use the phrase " all but dissertation " or the abbreviation "ABD" on their resumes.

According to a comprehensive study of Ph.D. completion rates published by The Council of Graduate Schools in 2008, only 56.6% of people who begin Ph.D. programs earn Ph.D. degrees.

Ian Curtis, a founding partner with H&C Education, an educational and admissions consulting firm, who is pursuing a Ph.D. degree in French at Yale University , says there are several steps involved in the process of obtaining a Ph.D. Students typically need to fulfill course requirements and pass comprehensive exams, Curtis warns. "Once these obligations have been completed, how long it takes you to write your dissertation depends on who you are, how you work, what field you're in and what other responsibilities you have in life," he wrote in an email. Though some Ph.D. students can write a dissertation in a single year, that is rare, and the dissertation writing process may last for several years, Curtis says.

Curtis adds that the level of support a Ph.D. student receives from an academic advisor or faculty mentor can be a key factor in determining the length of time it takes to complete a Ph.D. program. "Before you decide to enroll at a specific program, you’ll want to meet your future advisor," Curtis advises. "Also, reach out to his or her current and former students to get a sense of what he or she is like to work with."

Curtis also notes that if there is a gap between the amount of time it takes to complete a Ph.D. and the amount of time a student's funding lasts, this can slow down the Ph.D. completion process. "Keep in mind that if you run out of funding at some point during your doctorate, you will need to find paid work, and this will leave you even less time to focus on writing your dissertation," he says. "If one of the programs you’re looking at has a record of significantly longer – or shorter – times to competition, this is good information to take into consideration."

He adds that prospective Ph.D. students who already have master's degrees in the field they intend to focus their Ph.D. on should investigate whether the courses they took in their master's program would count toward the requirements of a Ph.D. program. "You’ll want to discuss your particular situation with your program to see whether this will be possible, and how many credits you are likely to receive as the result of your master’s work," he says.

How to Write M.D.-Ph.D. Application Essays

Ilana Kowarski May 15, 2018

Emmanuel C. Nwaodua, who has a Ph.D. degree in geology, says some Ph.D. programs require candidates to publish a paper in a first-rate, peer-reviewed academic journal. "This could extend your stay by a couple of years," he warns.

Pierre Huguet, the CEO and co-founder of H&C Education, says prospective Ph.D. students should be aware that a Ph.D. is designed to prepare a person for a career as a scholar. "Most of the jobs available to Ph.D. students upon graduation are academic in nature and directly related to their fields of study: professor, researcher, etc.," Huguet wrote in an email. "The truth is that more specialization can mean fewer job opportunities. Before starting a Ph.D., students should be sure that they want to pursue a career in academia, or in research. If not, they should make time during the Ph.D. to show recruiters that they’ve traveled beyond their labs and libraries to gain some professional hands-on experience."

Jack Appleman, a business writing instructor, published author and Ph.D. candidate focusing on organizational communication with the University at Albany—SUNY , says Ph.D. programs require a level of commitment and focus that goes beyond what is necessary for a typical corporate job. A program with flexible course requirements that allow a student to customize his or her curriculum based on academic interests and personal obligations is ideal, he says.

Joan Kee, a professor at the University of Michigan with the university's history of art department, says that the length of time required for a Ph.D. varies widely depending on what subject the Ph.D. focuses on. "Ph.D. program length is very discipline and even field-specific; for example, you can and are expected to finish a Ph.D, in economics in under five years, but that would be impossible in art history (or most of the humanities)," she wrote in an email.

Kee adds that humanities Ph.D. programs often require someone to learn a foreign language, and "fields like anthropology and art history require extensive field research." Kee says funding for a humanities Ph.D. program typically only lasts five years, even though it is uncommon for someone to obtain a Ph.D. degree in a humanities field within that time frame. "Because of this, many if not most Ph.D. students must work to make ends meet, thus further prolonging the time of completion," she says.

Jean Marie Carey, who earned her Ph.D. degree in art history and German from the University of Otago in New Zealand, encourages prospective Ph.D. students to check whether their potential Ph.D. program has published a timeline of how long it takes a Ph.D. student to complete their program. She says it is also prudent to speak with Ph.D. graduates of the school and ask about their experience.

Online Doctoral Programs: What to Expect

Ronald Wellman March 23, 2018

Kristin Redington Bennett, the founder of the Illumii educational consulting firm in North Carolina, encourages Ph.D. hopefuls to think carefully about whether they want to become a scholar. Bennett, who has a Ph.D. in curriculum and assessment and who previously worked as an assistant professor at Wake Forest University , says a Ph.D. is most appropriate for someone who is a "lifelong learner." She says someone contemplating a Ph.D. should ask themselves the following questions "Are you a very curious person... and are you persistent?"

Bennett urges prospective Ph.D. students to visit the campuses of their target graduate programs since a Ph.D. program takes so much time that it is important to find a school that feels comfortable. She adds that aspiring Ph.D. students who prefer a collaborative learning environment should be wary of graduate programs that have a cut-throat and competitive atmosphere, since such students may not thrive in that type of setting.

Alumni of Ph.D. programs note that the process of obtaining a Ph.D. is arduous, regardless of the type of Ph.D. program. "A Ph.D. is a long commitment of your time, energy and financial resources, so it'll be easier on you if you are passionate about research," says Grace Lee, who has a Ph.D. in neuroscience and is the founder and CEO of Mastery Insights, an education and career coaching company, and the host of the Career Revisionist podcast.

"A Ph.D. isn't about rehashing years of knowledge that is already out there, but rather it is about your ability to generate new knowledge. Your intellectual masterpiece (which is your dissertation) takes a lot of time, intellectual creativity and innovation to put together, so you have to be truly passionate about that," Lee says.

Curtis says a prospective Ph.D. student's enthusiasm for academic work, teaching and research are the key criteria they should use to decide whether to obtain a Ph.D. degree. "While the time it takes to complete a doctorate is an understandable concern for many, my personal belief is that time is not the most important factor to consider," he says. "Good Ph.D. programs provide their students with generous stipends, health care and sometimes even subsidized housing."

Erin Skelly, a graduate admissions counselor at the IvyWise admissions consulting firm, says when a Ph.D. students struggles to complete his or her Ph.D. degree, it may have more to do with the student's academic interests or personal circumstances than his or her program.

"The time to complete a Ph.D. can depend on a number of variables, but the specific discipline or school would only account for a year or two's difference," she wrote in an email. "When a student takes significantly longer to complete a Ph.D. (degree), it's usually related to the student's coursework and research – they need to take additional coursework to complete their comprehensive exams; they change the focus of their program or dissertation, requiring extra coursework or research; or their research doesn't yield the results they hoped for, and they need to generate a new theory and conduct more research."

Skelly warns that the average completion time of a Ph.D. program may be misleading in some cases, if the average is skewed based on one or two outliers. She suggests that instead of focusing on the duration of a particular Ph.D. program, prospective students should investigate the program's attritition and graduation rates.

"It is worthwhile to look at the program requirements and the school's proposed timeline for completion, and meet current students to get their input on how realistic these expectations for completion are," Skelly says. "That can give you an honest idea of how long it will really take to complete the program."

Searching for a grad school? Access our complete rankings of Best Graduate Schools.

Tags: graduate schools , education , students

You May Also Like

An mba and management consulting.

Sammy Allen May 2, 2024

Med School Access for Minority Students

Cole Claybourn May 2, 2024

Different jobs with med degree

Jarek Rutz April 30, 2024

Completing Medical School in Five Years

Kate Rix April 30, 2024

Dealing With Medical School Rejection

Kathleen Franco, M.D., M.S. April 30, 2024

Should I Get a Master's Before a Ph.D?

Andrew Warner April 29, 2024

Should You Take the LSAT More Than Once?

Gabriel Kuris April 29, 2024

How to Win a Fulbright Scholarship

Cole Claybourn and Ilana Kowarski April 26, 2024

What to Ask Law Students and Alumni

Gabriel Kuris April 22, 2024

Find a Strong Human Rights Law Program

Anayat Durrani April 18, 2024

Graduate School

Ph.d. requirements.

• Academics & Research
• Programs & Requirements

Brown University awards more than 200 doctor of philosophy degrees annually.

The Brown Ph.D. is primarily a research degree. Teaching is an important part of many doctoral programs, and many departments require candidates for the Ph.D. to have teaching experience.

Brown University offers substantial financial support to doctoral students. All incoming doctoral students are guaranteed five years of support, which includes a stipend, full tuition remission, health-services fee, and a health-insurance subsidy. Doctoral students in the Humanities and Social Sciences are guaranteed six years of support. All promises of student support are subject to students making satisfactory academic progress, as determined by their programs of study. Please see related links for additional details regarding the University's commitment to doctoral education.

Ph.D. Funding

Funding guarantee, four general requirements for the doctor of philosophy.

The candidate must be formally admitted to his or her degree program.

The normal residency requirement is the equivalent of three Academic Years of full-time study beyond the bachelor's degree. Students who enter a PhD program at Brown already holding a master’s degree in a related field have a residency requirement equivalent to two Academic Years of full-time study upon entering the PhD program at Brown. Use of a previously earned master’s degree to reduce PhD residency requirements is contingent upon approval of the program Director of Graduate Study. Graduate work done at other institutions and not used in fulfillment of the requirements for any doctoral degree elsewhere may, on the approval of the program Director of Graduate Study, be counted in fulfillment of up to, but not exceeding, one year of the residency requirement. A student who desires credit for work done elsewhere should file a timely application with the program Director of Graduate Study; transfer credit forms are available through the  Office of the Registrar .

A student is advanced to candidacy for the Ph.D. when he or she has completed satisfactorily all the requirements, departmental and general, requisite to beginning work on the dissertation. Candidacy is determined by the department or program of study and certified by the Registrar. Most departments require a preliminary examination before advancing any student to candidacy. Most departments also require a final examination or defense. The examination is conducted by professors in the department and by such other members of the faculty as may be appointed.

The candidate must present a dissertation on a topic related to his or her area of specialization that presents the results of original research and gives evidence of excellent scholarship. The dissertation must be approved by the professor or committee under whose direction it is written and by the Graduate Council. All requirements for the Ph.D. must be completed within five years after advancement to candidacy.

Faculty Member Leaves Brown

If a faculty member working with a doctoral student leaves Brown for any reason before that student has completed his or her degree requirements, it may not always be possible for that faculty member to continue working with the student as an advisor. In such cases, departments will work with students to help them locate a new advisor.

Additional Requirements

Individual departments and programs may have additional requirements regarding the number of courses to be taken, proficiency in foreign languages, special examinations, and theses. The department should be consulted for specific information.

• Youth Program
• Wharton Online

How the PhD Program Works

Program Overview

Completing your doctorate at Wharton requires 5 years of full-time study. The first 2 years in the program prepare you for admission to candidacy by taking courses, qualifying exams, and starting research projects. In the last few years, you are primarily conducting research full-time including writing and defending your doctoral dissertation.

Admission to candidacy.

You begin by taking courses required for your program of study. All programs requires a preliminary exam, which may be either oral or written.

Some programs may have further requirements, such as an additional exam or research paper. If you enter with a master’s degree or other transfer credit, you may satisfy the formal course requirements more quickly.

Beginning the Wharton PhD Curriculum How the first two years of the Wharton program helped students discover their interests, learn the tools of the profession, and fuel their passion for teaching.

The Doctoral Dissertation

Upon successful completion of coursework and passing a preliminary examination, you are admitted to candidacy for the dissertation phase of your studies.

Your doctoral dissertation should contain original research that meets standards for published scholarship in your field. You are expected to be an expert in the topic you choose to research.

You are admitted to candidacy for the dissertation phase of your studies upon successful completion of coursework and passing a preliminary examination, but you can start thinking about and working on research of relevance at any time.

The dissertation process culminates with a “defense,” in which you defend the proposal orally before your dissertation committee.

While working on your dissertation, you interact extensively with Wharton faculty. Together with interested faculty, you create your own research community that includes your dissertation advisor and dissertation committee.

Policies and Procedures

Get more detailed explanation of course requirements, academic standards, the Teacher Development Program, time limits, and dissertation procedures and requirements.

Sample Program Sequence

Years 1 & 2.

Coursework Examination Research Papers Research Activities Field-Specific Requirements

Directed Reading & Research Admission to Candidacy Formulation of Research Topic

Years 4 & 5

Continued Research Oral Examination Dissertation

Hear From Our Doctoral Community

What brought this cdc researcher to wharton's phd program, how wharton makes it easy to be successful, wharton is the "perfect" place to do research.

• Future Students
• Current Students
• Faculty/Staff

Admissions & Aid

• Admissions Home
• Application Requirements
• Financing Options
• Diversity Profile

You are here

Application requirements for all doctoral programs (phd).

All of our doctoral programs are designed to develop outstanding educational researchers who have a deep understanding of the scientific, practical and policy issues they study. All require full-time study, and we promise five years of full-time financial support for every student we admit. Our doctoral programs are small, typically ranging from about 25 to 35 new students a year. The small size of our doctoral cohorts creates big educational advantages for students: the classes are almost always small, students receive individualized attention from their advisors, and they have many opportunities to develop close collegial relationships with fellow students.

It is extremely important to demonstrate in your statement of purpose that your interests converge closely with the current research of faculty who work in the program to which you are applying. Other doctoral applicants will certainly do this, and if you don't, you will forfeit an important competitive advantage to them. 

If you wish to contact faculty, please read our Which Degree Which Program article, by Professor Eamonn Callan, which outlines the appropriate process for contacting faculty with whom you share research interests. 

• Program website:  Degrees and Programs/PhD
• Length of Program:  5 years (average length)
• Tuition: fellowship/assistantship salary and tuition guaranteed for first five years of the program (autumn, winter and spring quarters) for all students, including international students. Funding includes two summers.

Application Requirements:

Application form.

Complete and submit Stanford's graduate online application .

Application Fee

The application fee is $125 , is non-refundable, and must be received by the application deadline.

Application Fee Waivers

Stanford offers three types of application fee waivers for which GSE applicants may apply and be considered:

• GRE Fee Reduction Certificate-Based Waiver
• Diversity Program Participation-Based Waiver
• School-Based Waiver

Please visit the Stanford Graduate Diversity website for instructions, deadlines, and the fee waiver application form.

Statement of Purpose

A Statement of Purpose is required. Your statement should be typed, single-spaced and should be between one to two pages . Describe succinctly your reasons for applying to the proposed program, your preparation for this field of study, and why our program is a good fit for you, your future career plans, and other aspects of your background as well as interests which may aid the admissions committee in evaluating your aptitude and motivation for graduate study. You may indicate potential faculty mentors as part of your study and research interests. Be sure to keep a copy for your records. What's a Good Statement of Purpose?

A resume or CV  is required of all applicants, depending on which document is most appropriate for your background. There is no page limit for resumes or CVs, though we typically see resumes of one page in length. Please upload your resume or CV in the online application.

Three (3) Letters of Recommendation

Applicants are required to submit three letters of recommendation . In the online application, you will be asked to identify your recommenders and their email addresses. Please notify your recommenders that they will receive an email prompt to submit their recommendation online. You can submit your request for letters of recommendation through the system without submitting the entire online application.  Stanford GSE only accepts online recommendations through the application system ; Stanford GSE cannot accept mailed, emailed or faxed recommendations.

Recommendations should be written by people who have supervised you in an academic, employment, or community service setting. We very strongly recommend that at least one of these letters be from a university professor familiar with your academic work. Your recommendations should directly address your suitability for admission to a graduate program at Stanford GSE.

It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure that all three letters of recommendation are submitted through the system by the application deadline , so please work closely with your recommenders to remind them of the deadline.

College and University Transcripts

Transcripts are required from every college and university you have attended for at least one academic year as a full-time student. When submitting your online application, transcripts should be uploaded to the application as a scanned copy or PDF ; this is sufficient for the application review process. Please refrain from sending a secured PDF/transcript with a digital signature as our system cannot upload these properly. The best way to ensure we receive an upload-able document is for you to print out the secured transcript, scan it, and upload the scanned copy (not to exceed 10MB) as a PDF. 

If you earned a degree at the institution from which you are submitting a transcript, please ensure that the degree conferral date and the degree conferred is clearly visible on the document. If you are currently enrolled in a degree program and will not have earned the respective degree by the time of submitting your GSE application, you should submit your most recent in-progress transcript from your institution.

Only if admitted will we contact you with instructions on sending two copies of your official transcripts to our office. We cannot accept mailed, emailed or faxed copies of your transcripts during the application process. Please note: the instructions for sending transcripts on the online application and on the general Stanford Graduate Admissions Office website differ from this Stanford GSE requirement.

Concerning course work completed in a study abroad program

If the coursework and grades are reflected on the transcript of your home institution, you do not need to submit original transcripts from the study abroad institution.

Concerning foreign institutions

If your institution provides a transcript in a language other than English, we require that you submit a translation of the transcript that is either provided by the institution or a certified translator. Translations must be literal and complete versions of the original records.

If your transcript does not include your degree conferral date and the degree conferred , please submit a scanned copy of your diploma, a conferral statement, or a conferral document in addition to your transcript . If you are currently enrolled in a degree program and will not have earned the respective degree by the time of submitting your GSE application, you should submit your most recent in-progress transcript from your institution.

Stanford University requires the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) from all applicants whose native language is not English. The GSE requires a minimum TOEFL score of 250 for the computer-based test, 600 for the paper-based test or 100 for the internet-based test in order to be considered for admission. The Test of Written English (TWE) portion of the TOEFL is not required. Applicants who have completed a four-year bachelor's degree or a two-year master's program (or its equivalent) in the U.S. or at an institution where English is the main language of instruction are not required to take the TOEFL. For more information on TOEFL requirements, please refer to the Required Exams  page on the main Stanford Graduate Admissions website. You may register for the TOEFL test directly at the ETS website .

TOEFL Dates and Deadlines

PhD applicants who are required to take the TOEFL should plan to take the internet-based TOEFL test and have official TOEFL scores sent electronically to Stanford at institution code 4704 (department code does not matter) no later than November 1 . This will give your official TOEFL scores time to be sent from ETS and be received by our system in time for the December 1 deadline. PhD applicants to Knight-Hennessy Scholars should plan to take the internet-based TOEFL test no later than October 16 so your scores can be received by our system in time for the November 16 KHS GSE deadline. Please note that the TOEFL may be taken no earlier than 18 months prior to the application deadline.

Does Stanford accept tests other than TOEFL?

No. We accept only TOEFL scores; we do not accept IELTS or other test scores.

Contact Information

Admissions:  [email protected]  

• Financial Aid
• Current Student Info

Stanford Graduate School of Education

482 Galvez Mall Stanford, CA 94305-3096 Tel: (650) 723-2109

• Contact Admissions
• GSE Leadership
• Site Feedback
• Web Accessibility
• Career Resources
• Faculty Open Positions
• Explore Courses
• Academic Calendar
• Office of the Registrar
• Cubberley Library
• StanfordWho
• StanfordYou

Improving lives through learning

• Stanford Home
• Maps & Directions
• Search Stanford
• Emergency Info
• Terms of Use
• Non-Discrimination
• Accessibility

© Stanford University , Stanford , California 94305 .

PhD Admissions

The PhD program in Psychology trains students for careers in research and teaching. In addition to a wide range of courses, the PhD program is characterized by close collaboration between students and their faculty advisors. 

General Information

The Department of Psychology holistically reviews each candidate's complete application to assess the promise of a career in teaching and research. Consideration is based on various factors, including courses taken, grade point average, letters of recommendation, and the statement of purpose. Additionally, the Department of Psychology places considerable emphasis on research training, and admitted students have often been involved in independent research as undergraduate students or post-baccalaureate settings. Although there are no course requirements for admission, all applicants should have sufficient foundational knowledge and research experience to engage in graduate-level coursework and research.

We accept students with undergraduate degrees and those with both undergraduate and master's degrees. An undergraduate psychology major is not required; the Department welcomes applicants from other academic backgrounds.

Our application portal is now closed for the AY24-25 admissions cycle.  Please consider applying during next year's AY25-26 admissions cycle, which opens on September 15, 2024.

How to Apply

Application and deadline.

Our 2025-26 Admissions application will open on September 15, 2024.

Applications will be due on November 30, 2024

The deadline for letters of recommendation will be  November 30, 2024 . 

Once an applicant submits the recommenders' information, the recommenders will receive an automated email with instructions for submitting the letter. Late letters should be sent directly to psych-admissions [at] stanford.edu (psych-admissions[at]stanford[dot]edu) . Staff will add them to the application file if the review process is still underway. Still, the faculty reviewers are not obligated to re-review files for materials submitted after the deadline.

The status of submitted applications can be viewed by logging in to the   application portal . 

The deadline to apply for the Stanford Psychology Ph.D. program is  November 30, 2024 . 

Applicants who are admitted to the program will matriculate in autumn 2025. 

In addition to the information below, please review the  Graduate Admissions  website prior to starting your application. The Department of Psychology does not have rolling admissions. We admit for the Autumn term only.

Requirements

• U.S. Bachelor's degree or its  foreign equivalent
• Statement of Purpose (submitted electronically as part of the graduate application). You will be able to specify three  Psychology Department faculty members , in order of preference, with whom you would like to work. 
• Three  Letters of Recommendation  (submitted electronically). A maximum of six letters will be accepted.
• Unofficial transcripts from all universities and colleges you have attended for at least one year must be uploaded to the graduate application. Applicants who reach the interview stage will be asked to provide official transcripts as well; Department staff will reach out to these applicants with instructions for submitting official transcripts. Please do  not  submit official transcripts with your initial application.
• Required for non-native English speakers: TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) scores, submitted by the Educational Testing Service (ETS) electronically to Stanford. 

Application Fee

The fee to apply for graduate study at Stanford is $125. Fee waivers are available for some applicants. Please visit Graduate Admissions for information on applying for an  Application Fee Waiver .

Application Review & Status Check

The Department of Psychology welcomes graduate applications from individuals with a broad range of life experiences, perspectives, and backgrounds who would contribute to our community of scholars. The review of applications is holistic and individualized, considering each applicant’s academic record and accomplishments, letters of recommendation, and admissions essays to understand how an applicant’s life experiences have shaped their past and potential contributions to their field.

To check the status or activity of your application, please log into your  application account . You can also send reminders to recommenders who have not yet submitted their letter of recommendation.

Due to limited bandwidth, the Department of Psychology staff will not answer any phone or email queries about application status, including requests to confirm the receipt of official transcripts.

Our faculty will interview prospective students before making final admission decisions. Candidates who progress to the interview round will be informed in January. Interviews are generally conducted in February.

The Department of Psychology recognizes that the Supreme Court issued a ruling in June 2023 about the consideration of certain types of demographic information as part of an admission review. All applications submitted during upcoming application cycles will be reviewed in conformance with that decision.

• Diversity and Engagement in Psychology PhD Programs 
• Vice Provost for Graduate Education
• Stanford IDEAL
• Graduate Application Fee Waiver Information

For More Information

Please see our  list of Frequently Asked Questions  and  psych-admissions [at] stanford.edu (contact us)  should you have additional questions.

• Guide to Applying for Graduate School

The process of preparing for and applying to a PhD program can be overwhelming. The University of Pennsylvania has created this webpage to help prospective PhD students think through the process so you can put together a strong application.

A Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) is the highest degree one may obtain within a particular field of study. This ranges from studies in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) fields; Social Science fields such as Education, Economics, Political Science, and Sociology; as well as Humanities fields such as English, History, Music, Philosophy, and more. The PhD degree aims to prepare people to think critically, develop research, and produce scholarship that may be used for further research or implementation . The PhD historically prepared students to take on faculty roles in colleges and universities, and that is still the goal for many students pursuing the PhD. However, today the PhD is a sought-after degree in many other industries including pharmaceutical research, arts organizations and other nonprofits, publishing, government policy, big tech, finance, and more.

• Who can apply to a PhD program?   PhD education is available to people from various educational, occupational, socioeconomic, and demographic backgrounds.
• Who should get a PhD?  People interested in uncovering new ideas, solutions, or processes within a specific area of study through conducting independent research.
• Why is it important for diverse candidates to become PhD holders?   Our world thrives on heterogeneous ideas and experiences, which is why it is indispensable to include students with diverse perspectives in our PhD programs. These students will generate important and original research.

Most PhD programs are fully funded, meaning that for a specific number of years, the program will pay for your tuition and fees and health insurance, as well as provide you with a stipend for living expenses . The structure of this funding varies by field. Below is an outline of general funding information as well as trends according to field of study.

• Teaching Assistantships or Research Assistantships: Part-time service that provides teaching and research training opportunities within your area of study.
• Funding packages provided through faculty research grants: Many STEM fields fund students through research grants awarded to faculty. In these cases, students perform research alongside the faculty. 
• Fellowships: Internal or external merit-based funding. Some fellowships require an application while others are given via nomination. Educational institutions typically have a resource listing fellowship opportunities. Winning a competitive fellowship looks good on your resume.
• Grants: Requires an application with supporting materials of either your grades, scholarly work, and/or anticipated research. These are available through internal and external means. Grants greatly vary so be sure to always understand the requirements. Educational institutions typically have a resource listing grant opportunities. Winning a competitive grant looks good on your resume.
• Employment: For example, serving as a residential advisor, on-campus jobs, etc. Some PhD programs restrict additional employment, so be sure to check before applying for jobs.
• The funding opportunities described here often can be combined.

Choosing a school or program that provides the most potential funding may be a challenging decision. The value of the same amount of funding will differ depending on the cost of living in different geographic locations. Admitted applicants should investigate cost-of-living tools (available on the web) and be sure to understand how their funding will be structured. Ask questions when you are admitted, such as: 

• Could you share more about your program’s funding mechanism?
• For how long is funding guaranteed? How does that compare to the average time-to-completion? Historically, what percentage of students have received funding beyond the guaranteed funding package?
• Does funding cover tuition, fees, books, health insurance?
• Does the funding rely on teaching, research, or other service? How much and for how long? 

Choosing a program for your studies is a personal decision that should reflect not only your research interests, but your work style, and interests outside of the classroom. Here we have identified five key tips to consider when selecting schools. 

• Ask about which programs are strong in your area of interest, which have high completion rates, and which have career outcomes that align with your goals. 
• Explore the websites of the professional academic associations in the field(s) that interest you. Many will have a directory of doctoral programs and other resources for graduate students. For example, see the American Economic Association’s list of graduate programs and their preparing for graduate school page .
• Conduct a general internet search with terms related to your research interest.
• Determine your geographic and personal preferences. Does the area meet your community needs? Is it important that the university aligns with your sociopolitical values? Do you prefer a large city or a smaller/college town? Is there a particular region(s) that has better access to resources needed to conduct your research?
• Access your current or former university career center. These services are often still available for former students!
• As you narrow your choices, try to identify at least 3 faculty in the programs of interest with whom you’d like to study. Also note how many of them have tenure. If relevant, research which of those faculty are taking on advisees in your year of matriculation.
• Read articles from faculty with similar research interests.
• Note the number of awards, publications, and service activities of faculty.
• Identify research opportunities funded by both your program and university at large.
• Connect with current and former students in the program for informational interviews.
• Connect with campus Diversity Offices.
• Whenever possible, before submitting your applications, make an appointment to visit the campuses and department(s) that interest you.
• Use  LinkedIn  to see what graduates of your program are doing and how they are involved in their communities.
• Estimate your feasible cost of living by geographic location and compare to the funding package offered.
• Consider availability of health insurance, childcare, housing, transportation, and other fringe benefits.
• Connect with a local bank or your prospective university’s financial services office for budgeting, savings, and other financial wellness advice.
• Research the career outcomes for PhD graduates from the institutions that interest you in your specific field.
• Your First Year in a Ph.D. Program
• What Does Academic Success Mean and How to Achieve it?  (STEM)
• Pathways to Science  (STEM)
• 7 Advantages PhDs Have Over Other Job Candidates  (Industry)
• During your undergraduate/master’s education, you should pursue coursework and/or research that will prepare you for the higher expectations of a PhD program; for example, taking a research methods course, pursuing a summer research experience, or conducting research with a professor at your home institution.
• Identify instructors who could write a letter of recommendation. Share with those instructors your interest in doctoral studies; faculty can be excellent resources for advice as well as recommendations!
• Experiences outside of higher education can also strengthen your PhD application. These may range from project management to volunteer work.
• Develop soft or hard skills. A soft skill that is most useful from the first day of your PhD program is networking. This is necessary not only for meeting other students but also to find collaborators with similar research interests and selecting faculty for your dissertation committee. Learning how to negotiate will also serve you well when approaching collaborative projects. Hard skills related to your field might include learning statistical analysis software, economic theory, a foreign language, or search engine optimization. In short, identify a few soft and hard skills that you can familiarize yourself with prior to your program’s start date.
• Finally, prepare by identifying leading researchers and practitioners in your field , exploring peer-reviewed literature and/or publications, and gain familiarity with research methods.
• Typically, PhD applications are due 10-12 months in advance of the program’s start date (i.e. apply in November to start the following September). A good rule of thumb is to begin your application process 6 months before the deadline. 
• The availability of reduced application fees or fee waivers varies and sometimes depends on financial status and/or experiences (AmeriCorps, National Society of Black Engineers, attending certain conferences, etc.). If you are interested in a reduced fee or waiver, reach out to the program coordinator for details.
• Be sure to address all the specific questions/topics in the statement prompt. 
• Clearly state why you want to pursue a PhD.
• Propose your research interest.
• Identify the faculty you’d like to study under. 
• Discuss the unique qualities/experiences you offer to the program/school.
• Outline what you hope to do with your degree.
• Ask for recommendation letters early in the process, at least 2-4 weeks before the deadline. A good letter takes time to write!
• Provide recommenders with your resume, information about the program, your statement of purpose and/or information about your research interests and research goals.
• Consider your current/former instructors, supervisors, colleagues. These should be people who can speak to your work ethic, academic abilities, and research interests.
• Test scores (i.e. TOEFL, GRE, GMAT, etc.) may or may not be required.
• All transcripts including those for coursework completed abroad and transfer credits. Some programs require official transcripts, which take longer to procure.
• Resume/Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Writing sample (field dependent): Include a graduate-level sample and update any statements, statistics, etc. as needed. It is highly encouraged that you edit your previous work.
• Diversity statement: Many institutions offer an optional short statement where students can expand on their diverse backgrounds and experiences that may contribute to the diversity interests/efforts of the school.
• Dress professionally, even if the interview is virtual. You don’t necessarily need to wear a suit but dress pants/skirt and a blouse/button down shirt would be appropriate.  
• Develop an engaging elevator pitch, a 30-60 second summary of your research interests and what you hope to gain by becoming a student at that particular university. Practice your pitch with a career counselor, faculty advisor, or friends, and ask for honest feedback.
• Prepare 2-3 questions to ask during the interview. These could include questions about program expectations, the experience and success of their PhD students, and (academic/financial/mental health) support for PhD students.
• Some interview programs will include multiple activities including a social event. Be sure to maintain a professional attitude: do not drink too much and keep conversation on academic/professional topics.
• This is also your opportunity to decide whether this campus is a good fit for you.
• Academia Insider  is a good resource. 

Unlike undergraduate and master’s level education, coursework is just one component of the degree. A PhD comes with additional expectations: you must independently conduct scholarly research in your field of study, train in specific activities such as teaching or lab/field research, pass “milestone” requirements along the way, such as comprehensive exams, and complete the process by writing a dissertation. Furthermore, some fields require you to write multiple articles (number varies by field/program) for conference presentation and/or peer-reviewed publication.

There are other important elements as well:

• Student/Advisor relationship. This is one of the most valuable relationships you can have as a PhD student. Your faculty advisor not only assists you with learning how to approach your research topic, but also typically serves as the lead supervisor of your dissertation research and writing, and ideally mentors you throughout the PhD experience. The selection process of choosing your advisor varies so be sure to know what is expected of you as a student and what is expected of the faculty member. Whenever possible, it is important to align your personality and work style with that of your faculty advisor. Many universities publish expectations for the PhD student/faculty advisor relationship;  AMP’ed  is Penn’s guide.
• Other relationships: Your faculty advisor is far from the only important person during your PhD career. Other faculty members will also serve on your dissertation committee and be potential mentors. Students in your program can also provide good advice and guidance along the way.
• Coursework: Most programs have a number of required courses all students must take regardless of research interests. Once you have finished this requirement, the classes you choose should closely align with your research topic. Choose courses that will help you learn more about your dissertation topic and research methods. It is a good idea to discuss elective course selection with your advisor. 
• The dissertation is a large-scale, written document that explores a narrow research topic of your choice. It is the final step before receiving your degree and must be presented and “defended” to your dissertation committee (made up of faculty members) for approval. Defending means that you have to answer in-depth questions about your topic. While this might sound daunting, the dissertation is simply a demonstration of all the knowledge and expertise you have acquired through your PhD education. 
• Networking comes in many forms and includes connections with your fellow classmates, faculty members, and scholarly community. Formal networking events typically take place at academic conferences, where scholars and students present research. Increasing your academic circle will not only allow you to have study buddies, but offer you the opportunity to collaborate on articles or even gain employment. Your school’s career center can provide best practices for effective networking. 

Explore  graduate programs at the University of Pennsylvania  and click on the programs that interest you to learn more about admissions and academic requirements.

Upcoming Penn recruitment events include:

• Fontaine Fellows Recruitment Dinner (by invitation only): every March
• IDDEAS@Wharton  (Introduction to Diversity in Doctoral Education and Scholarship): April 18-19, 2024. Deadline to apply is January 31.
• DEEPenn STEM  (Diversity Equity Engagement at Penn in STEM): October 11-13, 2024. Application opens in March 2024.
• DivE In Weekend  (Diversity & Equity Initiative for Mind Research): Fall 2024

National conferences to explore:

• The Leadership Alliance  supports students into research careers
• McNair Scholar Conferences
• SACNAS , the largest multidisciplinary and multicultural STEM diversity event in the U.S.
• ABRCMS , the annual biomedical research conference for minoritized scientists
• The PhD Project  for students interested in business PhD programs

• PhD in USA – A Guide for 2020/21
• Finding a PhD

A PhD in USA takes approximately 5 – 6 years of full-time study and can cost between $12,000 – $45,000 per academic year. PhD programs in USA differ from that in the UK and Europe in that students must first take taught classes, coursework and exams before starting their research project.

Why Do a PhD in USA?

The United States has long had some of the most distinguished universities and advanced PhD programmes in the world. Combined with curriculum flexibility, rigorous teaching methods, vast funding opportunities, breathtaking campuses and significant career prospects, it’s no wonder that it is one of the most sought-after study destinations for research students.

In addition to comprehensive training standards, here are a few other reasons why a student may choose to undertake their PhD in the United States:

• Longer learning timeframes – A PhD in the US lasts longer than a PhD in the UK or Europe. This allows students to more confidently transition from undergraduate to postgraduate studies; more commonly referred to as ‘graduate studies’ in the US. This gives you the opportunity to learn more about your subject, research methods and academic writing in general before starting your research project.
• World-class universities – It’s no secret that some of the most well-known higher education institutions that continue to dominate global rankings are based in the United States. Although many factors go into determining whether a position is right for you, a PhD at a high-ranking American university will undeniably have many benefits, from excellent learning standards to access to innovative equipment and deep expertise.
• International network – The US has long been a popular choice among PhD students around the world. As such, the US hosts a diverse and multicultural learning environment in which many research students will quickly feel at home.
• Opportunities – With over 4,000 universities in the US, we can safely say you will have plenty of opportunities to find the ideal combination of project, supervisor and university that works for you.

Universities in USA

Universities in the United States can be divided into two types: public universities and private universities.

Public universities are financed by the state in which they are based. Because of this, public universities charge less for students from within the state and more for students from outside the state, including international students.

Private universities are not financed by their state, but by private donors, research funds and tuition fees. For this reason, private universities generally charge higher tuition fees than public universities and require all students to pay the same amount, regardless of whether they come from out-of-state or abroad.

According to the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2021 , eight of the top ten universities in the world are located in the United States. These are:

Method of Study

The main difference between a PhD in the US and a PhD in Europe lies in the program structure. Whereas a European PhD essentially consists of a single phase lasting three to four years , an American PhD consists of three different phases, each with its own time frame.

• Phase One – The first phase lasts approximately two years and focuses on building a basic foundation for the doctoral student. This phase consists largely of taught components such as lectures, tutorials and laboratory sessions, in which the student learns more about theoretical concepts and research methods within their discipline.
• Phase Two – The second phase can be considered an assessment phase, which runs both periodically alongside and at the end of the first phase. Here, students complete coursework and take exams on the basis of the material they have covered of which they must pass in order to proceed to the third phase.
• Phase Three – The third phase lasts approximately three years and resembles the European PhD structure. During this period, the student undertakes an independent research project, including forming a research design, conducting experiments, writing a thesis (more commonly referred to in the USA as a dissertation) and sitting a viva exam.

Teaching Requirements

Besides structure, a key difference between a PhD program in the US and in Europe is the focus on teaching requirements. In the US, doctoral students are expected to lecture, lead tutorials, host laboratory sessions, mark coursework and provide office hours for undergraduate students. Although students studying in European will likely contribute to these at some point during their study, this would normally be on a voluntary basis and involve less time commitment.

Research Flexibility

Another difference is project flexibility. In Europe, students typically apply to a PhD project predetermined by a supervisor, and although there may be some scope to adapt the project, depending on the funding provider , it will usually be limited to how the project is carried out rather than what it is about. In the US, however, a student applies to become a doctoral candidate within a department rather than applying for a particular research project. This is because students are expected to decide on their thesis topic (also commonly referred to as a dissertation research topic) near the end of their first phase after they have developed a better understanding of their subject and know where their interests lie. Therefore, research students in the US generally have more flexibility and influence in the direction of their research than students in the United Kingdom or Europe.

PhD Admission Requirements in USA

PhD admission into US universities can be highly competitive, both because of the limited number of positions and the large number of annual applicants.

The eligibility requirements for a doctoral program in the USA can generally be divided into four sections:

• Grade Point Average (GPA) – in the US, a scoring system known as Grade Point Average is used to measure academic ability. A student’s GPA is calculated as a weighted score of the subjects they study during their undergraduate degree; an equivalent score is calculated by universities for international applicants. Although universities rarely set minimum GPA requirements for doctoral study, it’s worth being aware that a GPA of 3.0 is equivalent to a UK second class honours (2:1); the typical entry requirement for UK universities.
• Graduate Records Exam (GRE) – most universities will require you to take a series of examinations known as Graduate Records Exams, which are used to determine your suitability for graduate study. GREs will assess your analytical, reasoning and critical thinking skills as well as your depth of your subject.
• Student aptitude – in addition to academic ability, US universities also look for characteristics of a strong researcher. These include traits such as engaging in the subject in your own time, e.g. by attending talks and conferences, demonstrating a high degree of independence and enthusiasm, and a general passion for your subject.
• English Language Proficiency – international students whose first language is not English must sit language exams such as IELTS or TOELF to demonstrate their English language proficiency.

International students will also require a F1 student visa in order to study in the US, however, you would typically apply for this after you have secured a place into a doctorate program.

How to Apply for PhD in USA

When applying for a PhD position at a graduate school, the application process will differ between universities, however, they will all typically ask for the following:

• Academic CV – a short document summarising your educational background and current level of experience .
• Personal statement – a document which outlines why you believe you are suitable for PhD study and your passion for the subject.
• Academic transcripts – a complete breakdown of the modules and their respective marks you have taken as part of your previous/current degree.
• GRE scores – a transcript of your Graduate Records Exam results.
• Research statement – a condensed version of a research proposal outlining your general research interests, if required.
• Recommendation letters – references from several academic referees who endorse your qualities as a person, your abilities as a student and your potential as a doctoral researcher.

Application Deadlines and Fees

Since PhD programs in the United States have taught components, they commence at the same time as all other taught degrees, and therefore share the same application deadlines and start dates. This corresponds to an application period that typically begins in August and ends in February. Admission decisions are typically made in April, with successful students starting in August/September.

When you apply to a graduate school, you will be expected to pay a fee for each doctorate application to cover the school’s administrative costs for processing your application. The fee varies from university to university, but typically ranges from $50 to $100 .

Funding your PhD in USA

It’s very common for a PhD student to receive financial aid in the form of a PhD scholarship; in fact, this will be the case for the vast majority of students in the US.

PhD funding can be ‘fully funded’ covering the student’s graduate program tuition fees, accommodation and living costs, or ‘partially funded’ covering the student’s tuition fee only in part or full.

Besides funding, a graduate student can take on an assistantship, such as a graduate teaching assistant or research assistant, in which they take on a part-time salaried position at the university alongside their studies.

Due to the international and collaborate nature of American universities, there are also a number of international scholarships available, such as the Fulbright Scholarship and the AAUW International Fellowship .

PhD Duration in USA

In the US, a PhD takes approximately 5 – 6 years to complete if studying full-time, and 8 – 10 years if studying part-time.

If you already have a Master’s degree, your first phase can be shortened by one year at the discretion of the university.

Cost of a PhD in USA

The cost of a PhD program in the US can vary considerably depending on the type of university, i.e. whether it’s a public or private university, the doctoral course, i.e. whether it’s in a STEM subject such as computer science, engineering or a non-STEM subject, and whether you are a home or international student.

In general, however, the typical annual tuition fee for a PhD in the US is between $12,000 and $45,000 per academic year.

As with any doctoral degree, additional costs may include travel for collaborations, bench fees, accommodation and living expenses.

Browse PhDs Now

Join thousands of students.

Join thousands of other students and stay up to date with the latest PhD programmes, funding opportunities and advice.

Doctor of Philosophy in Education

Additional Information

• Download the Doctoral Viewbook
• Admissions & Aid

The Harvard Ph.D. in Education trains cutting-edge researchers who work across disciplines to generate knowledge and translate discoveries into transformative policy and practice.

Offered jointly by the Harvard Graduate School of Education and the Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, the Ph.D. in Education provides you with full access to the extraordinary resources of Harvard University and prepares you to assume meaningful roles as university faculty, researchers, senior-level education leaders, and policymakers.

As a Ph.D. candidate, you will collaborate with scholars across all Harvard graduate schools on original interdisciplinary research. In the process, you will help forge new fields of inquiry that will impact the way we teach and learn. The program’s required coursework will develop your knowledge of education and your expertise in a range of quantitative and qualitative methods needed to conduct high-quality research. Guided by the goal of making a transformative impact on education research, policy, and practice, you will focus on independent research in various domains, including human development, learning and teaching, policy analysis and evaluation, institutions and society, and instructional practice.   

Curriculum Information

The Ph.D. in Education requires five years of full-time study to complete. You will choose your individual coursework and design your original research in close consultation with your HGSE faculty adviser and dissertation committee. The requirements listed below include the three Ph.D. concentrations: Culture, Institutions, and Society; Education Policy and Program Evaluation; and Human Development, Learning and Teaching . 

We invite you to review an example course list, which is provided in two formats — one as the full list by course number and one by broad course category . These lists are subject to modification. 

Ph.D. Concentrations and Examples

Summary of Ph.D. Program

Doctoral Colloquia  In year one and two you are required to attend. The colloquia convenes weekly and features presentations of work-in-progress and completed work by Harvard faculty, faculty and researchers from outside Harvard, and Harvard doctoral students. Ph.D. students present once in the colloquia over the course of their career.

Research Apprenticeship The Research Apprenticeship is designed to provide ongoing training and mentoring to develop your research skills throughout the entire program.

Teaching Fellowships The Teaching Fellowship is an opportunity to enhance students' teaching skills, promote learning consolidation, and provide opportunities to collaborate with faculty on pedagogical development.

Comprehensive Exams  The Written Exam (year 2, spring) tests you on both general and concentration-specific knowledge. The Oral Exam (year 3, fall/winter) tests your command of your chosen field of study and your ability to design, develop, and implement an original research project.

Dissertation  Based on your original research, the dissertation process consists of three parts: the Dissertation Proposal, the writing, and an oral defense before the members of your dissertation committee.

Culture, Institutions, and Society (CIS) Concentration

In CIS, you will examine the broader cultural, institutional, organizational, and social contexts relevant to education across the lifespan. What is the value and purpose of education? How do cultural, institutional, and social factors shape educational processes and outcomes? How effective are social movements and community action in education reform? How do we measure stratification and institutional inequality? In CIS, your work will be informed by theories and methods from sociology, history, political science, organizational behavior and management, philosophy, and anthropology. You can examine contexts as diverse as classrooms, families, neighborhoods, schools, colleges and universities, religious institutions, nonprofits, government agencies, and more.

Education Policy and Program Evaluation (EPPE) Concentration

In EPPE, you will research the design, implementation, and evaluation of education policy affecting early childhood, K–12, and postsecondary education in the U.S. and internationally. You will evaluate and assess individual programs and policies related to critical issues like access to education, teacher effectiveness, school finance, testing and accountability systems, school choice, financial aid, college enrollment and persistence, and more. Your work will be informed by theories and methods from economics, political science, public policy, and sociology, history, philosophy, and statistics. This concentration shares some themes with CIS, but your work with EPPE will focus on public policy and large-scale reforms.

Human Development, Learning and Teaching (HDLT) Concentration

In HDLT, you will work to advance the role of scientific research in education policy, reform, and practice. New discoveries in the science of learning and development — the integration of biological, cognitive, and social processes; the relationships between technology and learning; or the factors that influence individual variations in learning — are transforming the practice of teaching and learning in both formal and informal settings. Whether studying behavioral, cognitive, or social-emotional development in children or the design of learning technologies to maximize understanding, you will gain a strong background in human development, the science of learning, and sociocultural factors that explain variation in learning and developmental pathways. Your research will be informed by theories and methods from psychology, cognitive science, sociology and linguistics, philosophy, the biological sciences and mathematics, and organizational behavior.

Program Faculty

The most remarkable thing about the Ph.D. in Education is open access to faculty from all Harvard graduate and professional schools, including the Harvard Graduate School of Education, the Faculty of Arts and Sciences, the Harvard Kennedy School, the Harvard Law School, Harvard Medical School, and the Harvard School of Public Health. Learn about the full Ph.D. Faculty.

Jarvis R. Givens

Jarvis Givens studies the history of American education, African American history, and the relationship between race and power in schools.

Paul L. Harris

Paul Harris is interested in the early development of cognition, emotion, and imagination in children.

Meira Levinson

Meira Levinson is a normative political philosopher who works at the intersection of civic education, youth empowerment, racial justice, and educational ethics. 

Luke W. Miratrix

Luke Miratrix is a statistician who explores how to best use modern statistical methods in applied social science contexts.

Eric Taylor

Eric Taylor studies the economics of education, with a particular interest in employer-employee interactions between schools and teachers — hiring and firing decisions, job design, training, and performance evaluation.

Paola Uccelli

Paola Ucelli studies socio-cultural and individual differences in the language development of multilingual and monolingual students.

View Ph.D. Faculty

Dissertations.

The following is a complete listing of successful Ph.D. in Education dissertations to-date. Dissertations from November 2014 onward are publicly available in the Digital Access to Scholarship at Harvard (DASH) , the online repository for Harvard scholarship.

• 2022 Graduate Dissertations (265 KB pdf)
• 2021 Graduate Dissertations (177 KB pdf)
• 2020 Graduate Dissertations (121 KB pdf)
• 2019 Graduate Dissertations (68.3 KB pdf)

Student Directory

An opt-in listing of current Ph.D. students with information about their interests, research, personal web pages, and contact information:

Doctor of Philosophy in Education Student Directory

Introduce Yourself

Tell us about yourself so that we can tailor our communication to best fit your interests and provide you with relevant information about our programs, events, and other opportunities to connect with us.

Program Highlights

Explore examples of the Doctor of Philosophy in Education experience and the impact its community is making on the field:

Reshaping Teacher Licensure: Lessons from the Pandemic

Olivia Chi, Ed.M.'17, Ph.D.'20, discusses the ongoing efforts to ensure the quality and stability of the teaching workforce

Lost in Translation

New comparative study from Ph.D. candidate Maya Alkateb-Chami finds strong correlation between low literacy outcomes for children and schools teaching in different language from home

The Graduate School

University information technology (uit), main navigation, ph.d. degree requirements.

Ph.D. Degree   •   Supervisory Committee   •  Program of Study   •  Residency Enrollment   •  Approval of Program of Study   •  Qualifying Examination   •  Registration   •  Language Requirements   •  Dissertation   •  Final Examination   •  Time Limit   •  Exceptions

• The Doctor of Philosophy degree is awarded for high achievement in an advanced specialized field of study. It requires competence in independent research and an understanding of related subjects.
• The degree is not awarded simply for the fulfillment of residence requirements and the accumulation of credits.
• The committee chair and the majority of the committee must be tenure-line faculty in the student’s department.
• The outside member is normally from another University of Utah department.
• The dean of The Graduate School may approve requests to appoint a committee member from another university where appropriate justification and supporting documentation is provided.
• approving the student’s academic program,
• preparing and judging the qualifying examinations (unless delegated to a departmental examination committee),
• approving the dissertation subject and final dissertation,
• and administering and judging the final oral examination (dissertation defense).
• Some departments require more, check department’s handbook.
• More time may be required.
• In truly exceptional cases, a shorter period of time in graduate work may be approved by the dean of The Graduate School. 
• If a supervisory committee finds a graduate student’s preliminary work deficient, the student may be required to register for and complete supplementary courses that do not carry graduate credit.
• This form, which lists course work and research hours, is due one semester before graduation in order for the graduate coordinator to enter that information online in a timely manner.
• Faculty Consultation, course number 7980, does not count toward dissertation hours or the fulfillment of degree requirements, and should not be listed on the program of study.
• Courses taken through alternative delivery methods (e.g., via EDNET or the Internet) are approved on a programmatic basis through the Graduate Council.
• When a student proceeds directly from a master’s degree to a Ph.D. degree with no break in the program of study (except for authorized leaves of absence), the residency requirement may be fulfilled at any time during the course of study.
• Three hours of Thesis Research: Ph.D. (course number 7970) is also considered a full load after the residency requirement is fulfilled.
• The Graduate Council may approve departmental or programmatic exceptions to the minimum residency requirements and proposals for new programs or academic offerings using distance-learning technologies and/or off-campus sites, as provided by Graduate School policy.
• *Does not refer to or fulfill State Residency Requirements
• One semester prior to graduation, graduate students are required to meet with their graduate advisor to check that they have met all the requirements for their degree.
• Once enrolled in all required coursework, the graduate advisor will move coursework from the graduate student's transcript to their program of study in the Graduate Student Summary .
• They verify the graduate student has met all degree requirements then approve the program of study with their electronic signature.  
• After all approvals have been submitted, the graduate student's program of study will show as complete in the Program Plan Audit page of the Graduate Student Summary .
• The nature and format of these examinations are established by individual departments subject to approval by the Graduate Council.
• An examination or parts of an examination may be repeated only once and only at the discretion of the student’s supervisory committee .
• A department has the option of appointing a departmental examination committee that administers the qualifying examinations and ensures that examinations are properly prepared and evaluated.
• Once a graduate student has passed their Ph.D. Qualifying Exam this advances them to candidacy.
• The candidate must complete at least 14 hours of Thesis Research (course number 7970, Thesis Research: Ph.D.).
• The candidate must also be regularly enrolled at the University and registered for at least one course during the semester in which the final oral examination (dissertation defense) is taken.
• For details, see Minimum Continuous Registration as well as departmental and program requirements.
• The degree of proficiency in foreign language(s) required of candidates is determined by the policy of the academic departments.
• In some instances, language proficiency may be verified by individual departments if appropriate procedures have been approved in advance by the dean of The Graduate School.
• In most cases, however, fulfillment of the language requirements must be verified by the Department of World Languages & Cultures.
• The Language Verification form for certification is available in the Department of World Languages & Cultures .
• The candidate must submit a dissertation embodying the results of scientific or scholarly research or artistic creativity.
• The dissertation must provide evidence of originality and the ability to do independent investigation and it must contribute to knowledge or the creative arts.
• The style and format are determined by departmental policy and registered with the thesis and dissertation editor, who approves individual dissertations in accordance with departmental and Graduate School policy.
• At least three weeks before the final oral examination (dissertation defense), the student should submit an acceptable draft of the dissertation to the chair of the supervisory committee ; committee members should receive copies at least two weeks before the examination date.
• The entire dissertation is submitted to UMI Dissertation Publishing, ProQuest Information and Learning, and copies are made available for public sale.
• The abstract only is published if the entire dissertation has been previously published and distributed, exclusive of vanity publishing. The doctoral candidate may elect to microfilm the entire previously published work.
• Regardless of the option used for meeting the publication requirement, an abstract of each dissertation is published in UMI Dissertation Publishing, ProQuest Information and Learning, Dissertation Abstracts International.
• Detailed policies and procedures concerning publication requirements, use of restricted data, and other matters pertaining to the preparation and acceptance of the dissertation are contained in A Handbook for Theses and Dissertations .
• The student must pass a final oral examination before graduation.
• The examination must follow the receipt of the dissertation by the supervisory committee .
• The committee schedules and announces a public oral examination at which the candidate must defend the dissertation.
• This final oral examination may be chaired by any member of the supervisory committee consistent with departmental policy.
• The time limit for completing a Ph.D. degree is determined by individual departmental policy approved by the Graduate Council.
• Requests to exceed established time limits must be recommended by a candidate’s supervisory committee and approved by the departmental director of graduate studies and the dean of the Graduate School.
• Students whose studies have been interrupted for long periods of time and who have been granted extended time to complete their degrees may be required to complete additional courses, to pass examinations, or otherwise to demonstrate that they are current in their field. (PPM 6-203 III.B).
• Most departments require a seven year time limit for their PhD students.
• Petition for an extension of a Graduate student career
• Individual student exceptions to these general requirements for the Ph.D. must be approved by the dean of The Graduate School upon the recommendation of the student’s supervisory committee and director of graduate studies or department chair.
• Each program requires a distinct, complete set of courses. Course work used to meet the requirements of one program may not be used to meet the requirements of another.

Share this page

The clinical program is accredited by the American Psychological Association and the Psychological Clinical Science Accreditation System.

Your program will typically be fully funded for five years thanks to stipend grant support and guaranteed teaching fellowships. Tuition support is also available for a six-year program. Funding is also available for research, travel, and conferences. You will have access to the latest technology at FAS Research Computing and the Neuroimaging Facility at the Center for Brain Science.

Examples of student dissertations and theses include “Childhood Anxiety Disorders: Developmental Risk Factors and Predictors of Treatment Response,” “Clarifying the Pathway to Suicide: An Examination of Subtypes of Suicidal Behavior and Their Association with Impulsiveness,” and “A Cognitive Neuroscience of Social Groups.”

Graduates have secured positions in academia at prestigious institutions such as Princeton University, Dartmouth College, and Columbia University. Others have embarked on careers with companies such as Facebook, BetterUp, and Apple.

Additional information on the graduate program is available from the Department of Psychology and requirements for the degree are detailed in Policies .

Areas of Study

Cognition, Brain, and Behavior | Experimental Psychopathology and Clinical | Developmental | Social Psychology

Admissions Requirements

Please review admissions requirements and other information before applying. You can find degree program-specific admissions requirements below and access additional guidance on applying from the Department of Psychology .

Academic Background

While an undergraduate concentration in psychology is not required, some social science coursework is recommended. Because the program is heavily quantitatively oriented, college-level math and statistics are also advised. Research experience is extremely helpful; successful applicants have often worked for professors, done research projects as part of college courses, written an undergraduate thesis, or volunteered in a psychology research lab.

Please Note: Before making the decision to apply, the program in Psychology suggests checking individual faculty/lab websites or emailing faculty directly to inquire whether they plan to consider applicants for Fall 2024 admission. It’s important to note that while individual faculty members may have every intention of bringing in a new student this year, we cannot guarantee that they will all be able to do so. The total number of offers of admission to be extended by the graduate program is based on applicant preparedness and fit, availability of university advising and support resources, and target class size. Some of these factors are not able to be determined until after the applicant pool has been finalized.

Standardized Tests

GRE General: Optional

Theses & Dissertations

Theses & Dissertations for Psychology

See list of Psychology faculty

APPLICATION DEADLINE

Questions about the program.

Ph.D. Degree

Our ph.d. degree program.

Our GGCS doctoral degree prepares you to solve complex, long-term research problems. You can expect to graduate in four to five years and to work on a large research project, culminating in a dissertation. Our doctoral graduates join industries or go on to careers in academia, either as postdoctoral researchers or assistant professors.

Degree Requirements

• Admission Requirements

Prerequisites In addition to the admission requirements stated above, applicants are expected to demonstrate proficiency at the undergraduate level in four fundamental areas of computer science, and mathematics. The specified UC Davis courses exemplify the material:

♦   Computer Architecture --  ECS 154A (Computer Architecture) ♦   Operating Systems -- ECS 150 (Operating Systems and System Programming) ♦   Programming Languages --ECS 140A (Programming Languages) ♦   Theoretical Foundations --ECS 120 (Theory of Computation) and ECS 122A (Algorithm Design and Analysis) ♦   Mathematical Foundations -- ECS 132 (Probability and Statistical Modeling for Computer Science) or MAT 135A (Probability) or STA 131A (Introduction to Probability Theory), and one additional upper-division mathematics course These are referred to as the undergraduate proficiency requirements . A grade of B or higher is required for each course used to satisfy these requirements.

Deficiencies Students may be admitted with one or more deficiencies in the undergraduate proficiency requirements. It is expected that the student will complete the undergraduate proficiency requirements by the time they take their Qualifying Exam (QE).

• Dissertation Plan

GGCS offers Plan B as described under Section 520 in the UC Davis Division Academic Senate Regulations. Plan B specifies a three member (minimum) dissertation committee, an optional final oral examination (made on an individual student basis by the dissertation committee), and an exit seminar.

• Advanced Proficiency Requirements

All students who are in the Ph.D. program, or who expect to work toward a doctorate in computer science at UC Davis, are required to complete the Advanced Proficiency requirement. A student passes this requirement by a high level of achievement in graduate coursework and demonstrating “advanced” proficiency in the graduate breadth requirements. The GGCS breadth requirement includes demonstrated proficiency in four areas of computer science at the graduate level: Architecture, Systems, Theory and Applications.

The student can satisfy the above requirements in one of the following ways:

♦   Completion of a Core course with a grade of A- or better ♦   Demonstration that one has taken a similar graduate course at another institution with a grade of A- or better. A Graduate Advisor must approve this option. Core Courses ♦    Architecture Core   -- ECS 201A Advanced Computer Architecture; ECS 201C Parallel Architectures; EEC 270 Computer Architecture     ♦    Systems Core -- ECS 240 Programming Languages; ECS 251 Operating Systems; ECS 260 Software Engineering ♦    Theory Core -- ECS 220 Theory of Computation; ECS 222A Design and Analysis of Algorithms     ♦    Applications Core  -- ECS 230 Applied Numerical Linear Algebra; ECS 231 Large-scale Scientific Computation; ECS 234 Computational Functional Genomics; ECS 235A Computer and Information Security; ECS 236 Computer Security Intrusion Detection Based Approach; ECS 252 Computer Networks; ECS 256 Performance Evaluation; ECS 265 Distributed Database Systems; ECS 267 Wide-Area Distributed Information Systems; ECS 268 Scientific Data and Workflow Management; ECS 270 Artificial Intelligence; ECS 271 Machine Learning and Discovery; ECS 272 Information Visualization; ECS 274 Automated Deduction; ECS 275A Advanced Computer Graphics; ECS 276 Advanced Volume Visualization; ECS 277 Advanced Visualization; ECS 278 Computer-Aided Geometric Design; ECS 279 Topics in Character Animation Summary 45 units of upper division and graduate coursework are required. Full-time students must enroll for 12 units per quarter including research, academic and seminar units. Per UC regulations students cannot enroll in more than 12 units of graduate level courses (200) or more than 16 units of combined undergraduate and graduate level (100, 200, 300) courses per quarter.

• Special Requirements

The Graduate Group requires all Ph.D. candidates demonstrate at least one quarter of college level teaching experience. We strongly recommend that this includes lecturing or leading a discussion section. In addition, each student is required to participate in an exit seminar, in which the research is presented to the UC Davis academic community. This seminar will be administered by the dissertation committee, and will take place after all committee members have approved the dissertation, but before the dissertation has been filed with the Office of Graduate Studies.

Admissions Committee Completed applications are evaluated by the Admissions Committee, with the assistance of other faculty in the Graduate Group. The Admissions Committee consists of six Graduate Group faculty. Based on a review of the entire application, a recommendation is made to accept or decline the applicant’s request for admission. The recommendation is forwarded to the Dean of Graduate Studies for final approval of admission. Notification of admissions decisions will be sent by Graduate Studies. Applications are accepted from September (when the admission system opens) through January 15 for the next Fall-entering class.

Graduate Advisors Committee The Graduate Advisors Committee is composed of GGCS faculty members appointed by Graduate Studies. Every student who does not have a Thesis Advisor will be assigned a Graduate Advisor from the Graduate Advisors Committee. Until a student has a Thesis Advisor, the assigned Graduate Advisor will monitor the progress of the student and provide guidance on his/her academic program. Each GGCS graduate student is responsible for meeting with his or her Graduate Advisor at least once per quarter.

Qualifying Examination Committee The student, in consultation with his/her Thesis Advisor, nominate five faculty members to serve on the Examination Committee. The Thesis Advisor must be selected before the Qualifying Examination Committee is formed. The Thesis Advisor must be on the qualifying exam committee but cannot be chair of the committee. The membership of the Qualifying Exam Committee must satisfy the following conditions:

♦   The chair of the committee must be a member of the Academic Senate of UC Davis, and a GGCS member. ♦   At least three members of the committee must be members of the Academic Senate of the University of California and GGCS members. ♦   It is recommended (by the Academic Senate) that one member of the committee be a faculty member outside of the Graduate Group in Computer Science. These nominations are submitted to the Office of Graduate Studies for formal appointment in accordance with Graduate Council policy. The Qualifying Exam Committee conducts the exam and submits results to the Office of Graduate Studies.

Dissertation Committee The Dissertation Committee consists of three members who will guide the student in research. Graduate Studies must approve this committee. Guidelines for choosing the members of the dissertation committee are as follows:

♦   At least two of the members must be members of the Academic Senate of the University of California. ♦   At least two of these members must be members of the Graduate Group in Computer Science. ♦   The Chair of this committee must be a member of the Graduate Group in Computer Science. ♦   The Chair of the Dissertation Committee is the student’s Thesis Advisor. ♦   The composition of the dissertation committee is entered on the Advancement to Candidacy Form.

The role of the Dissertation Committee is to advise the doctoral student on the research topic and methods, and then to review the final completed dissertation for acceptance. The Committee Chairperson, the Thesis Advisor, should determine the desires of the individual members regarding assistance with the research and dissertation review at the time the Dissertation Committee is constituted.

Students are expected to meet with their Thesis Advisor at least quarterly . Dissertation committee members are expected to read and comment on a dissertation within four weeks from its submission. This time limit policy does not apply to summer periods for faculty holding nine-month appointments. The student and faculty will coordinate a timeline for the student to present the thesis to the dissertation committee. This timeline must allow all dissertation committee members enough time to fulfill their responsibilities within the four-week deadline.

• Advising Structure and Mentoring

A student’s Thesis Advisor supervises his/her thesis or project, and serves as Chair of the Dissertation Committee. A student’s Graduate Advisor serves as a resource for information on academic requirements, policies, and procedures in the absence of a Thesis Advisor. The Graduate Program Coordinator assists students with appointments, requirements, university policies, and in identifying a Thesis Advisor. Mentoring Guidelines can be found in the graduate student handbook.

• Advancement to Candidacy

Before advancing to candidacy for a doctoral degree, a student must have satisfied all requirements set by the graduate program, must have maintained a minimum GPA of 3.5 in all course work undertaken (except those courses graded S or U), and must have passed the Qualifying Examination before a committee appointed to administer it. Normally, students advance to candidacy by the end of their 9th quarter; students must pass their QE by the end of the ninth quarter in order to remain eligible for academic appointments (TA, GSR, AI, etc.). The student must file the appropriate paperwork with the Office of Graduate Studies and pay the candidacy fee in order to be officially promoted to PhD Candidacy. Refer to the Graduate Council website for additional details regarding the Doctoral Qualifying Examination.

• Qualifying Examination and Dissertation Requirements

Qualifying Examination General Information To be eligible for the Qualifying Examination, the student must have satisfied all course requirements, have removed all undergraduate deficiencies, and must have at least a 3.5 GPA in courses taken in the program of study. Passing this exam makes the student eligible for advancement to candidacy. The Qualifying Exam should be taken by the ninth quarter and no later than the end of the fifteenth quarter after admission to the PhD program.

The primary purpose of the Qualifying Examination is to validate that the student is academically qualified to conceptualize a research topic, undertake scholarly research, and successfully produce the dissertation required for a doctoral degree. The Qualifying Exam must evaluate the student’s command of the field, ensuring that the student has both breadth and depth of knowledge. It must not focus solely on the proposed dissertation research. In addition, the Qualifying Exam provides an opportunity for the committee to provide important guidance to the student regarding his or her chosen research topic. The Qualifying Examination is a formal, oral examination to ascertain the student’s readiness to conduct PhD-level research in the major area of study.

Written Portion of the Qualifying Exam: the Thesis Proposal Prior to the Qualifying Examination the student must prepare a Thesis Proposal containing a thorough discussion of a proposed thesis topic. This paper must be submitted to the Qualifying Examination Committee at least two weeks prior to the examination. The Thesis Proposal is an independently prepared proposal describing the student’s dissertation-specific research aims, hypotheses, progress to date, and experimental approach. Concepts within the research proposal can be discussed with others (such as the student’s Thesis Advisor and peers), but the writing of the proposal should be solely the student’s work, as the proposal will also serve as evidence of the student’s proficiency in scientific writing. The Qualifying Exam Committee is responsible for assessing that the student’s scholarly preparation and writing proficiency are satisfactory before advancement to candidacy. Furthermore, the Thesis Proposal will provide information that may be discussed during the oral exam.

Oral Portion of the Exam The oral portion of the qualifying exam will be 2-3 hours in length. The examinations differ in structure, depending on the area of research and the members of the examining committee. The student will be asked to give a formal presentation of the thesis proposal. The committee will question the student on this proposal, and will question the student to determine the student’s competence in both the major and minor areas of study.

The committee will evaluate the student’s general qualifications for a position in academia or in industry, the student’s preparation in his/her specific area of study, the student’s previous academic record, performance on specific parts of the examination, and the student’s potential for scholarly research as indicated during the examination and in the student’s publication history.

Outcome of the Exam The committee can issue any of the following grades for the examination:

♦    Pass -- In this case, the student can apply to the Graduate Studies for Advancement to Candidacy for the degree. At this time a dissertation committee is officially selected to direct the student in the research, and to guide the student in the preparation of the dissertation. The committee must be approved by Graduate Studies.

♦    Not Pass  -- In this case, the committee has two options:

     ♦   It can decide that the student’s Thesis Proposal is not sufficient and ask that it be re-thought or re-written. In this case, the committee will ask the student to remedy the problems in the proposal and retake the examination within a specified time frame.      ♦   It can decide that the student’s knowledge within the major and minor areas is not sufficient for continued progress for the PhD. In this case, the committee can ask the student to take some additional coursework and retake the examination within a specified time frame. ♦    Fail -- In this case, the student is not permitted to continue in the Ph.D. program.

The student can only retake the Qualifying Examination once. If a passing grade is not achieved by the second attempt, the student cannot continue in the PhD program. If a unanimous decision takes the form of “Not Pass” or “Fail”, the Chair of the Qualifying Exam Committee must include in its report a specific statement, agreed to by all members of the committee, explaining its decision, the Chair must inform the student of its decision. Having received a “Not Pass” the student may attempt the Qualifying Exam one additional time; the Qualifying Exam report must list the specific conditions and timing for the second exam. After a second examination, a vote of “Not Pass” is unacceptable; only “Pass” or “Fail” is recognized. Should the student receive a “Fail” on the first or second attempt at the exam, the student will be recommended for disqualification from the program to the Dean of Graduate Studies.

The Dissertation The Ph.D. dissertation demonstrates the ability of the student to carry out an independent original research project of high quality. It reflects a level of attainment in research, not the fulfillment of a list of requirements. An acceptable Ph.D. dissertation is not only an original contribution to the field, but is generally characterized by a broad scope of applicability.

The dissertation must be submitted to each member of the dissertation committee at least one month before the student expects to make requested revisions; committee members are expected to respond within four weeks, not including summer months for nine-month faculty. Informing committee members of progress as writing proceeds helps the members to plan to read the dissertation and provide feedback within this time frame. The dissertation must be approved and signed by all members of the Dissertation Committee before it is submitted to Graduate Studies for final approval.

Filing of the Dissertation with the Office of Graduate Studies is normally the last requirement satisfied by the candidate. The deadlines for completing this requirement are listed each quarter in the campus General Catalog (available online or from the Bookstore). A candidate must be a registered student or on Filing Fee status at the time of filing a dissertation, with the exception of the summer period between the end of the Spring Quarter and the beginning of Fall Quarter. The Dissertation will be prepared, submitted and filed according to regulations instituted by the Office of Graduate Studies. Satisfaction of this requirement must be verified by the Dissertation Committee Chair.

Exit Seminar Each student is required to participate in an Exit Seminar, in which the candidate’s research is presented to the UC Davis academic community. This seminar will be administered by the Dissertation Committee and will take place after all committee members have approved the dissertation, but before the dissertation has been filed with the Office of Graduate Studies. Adequate scheduling of the Exit Seminar is the responsibility of the student.

• Normative Time to Degree

It is expected that the student will complete the undergraduate proficiency requirements within the first four quarters of study, the Advanced Proficiency within the first six quarters of study, and the Qualifying Examination between the sixth and ninth quarters of study. Completion of all requirements is normally accomplished in fifteen quarters of study. The maximal time period allowed for completion of each requirement is as follows:

♦   A student’s Program of Study must be submitted and approved by the end of four quarters of study. ♦   The student must complete the Advanced Proficiency Requirements by the end of the sixth quarter of study. ♦   The student must complete the Qualifying Examination by the end of the ninth quarter of study. ♦   The student should complete all requirements for the PhD by the end of the 15th quarter of study. ♦   Students who fail to complete all the requirements within the “normal” time period are referred to the Educational Policy Committee of the Graduate Group. The Committee considers the student’s entire record, including examination scores and letters of support, particularly from the student’s Thesis Advisor. The Committee exercises wide discretion: it may decide that no action is necessary; that the student should be allowed more time in which to complete the requirement; that certain of the requirements should be waived; that certain remedial actions should be taken; or that the student should be advised to leave the program. The committee attaches great weight to the Thesis Advisor’s letter of support. It is therefore extremely important that students involve themselves in research under some faculty member early in the program—preferably by the end of their third quarter.

• Typical Timeline

♦    Year 1 -- Fall: ECS 201A, ECS 293A, ECS 390, ECS 299 -- Winter: ECS 240, ECS 252, ECS 299 -- Spring: ECS 222A, ECS 231, ECS 299 ♦    Year 2 -- Fall: ECS 260, ECS 289G, ECS 299 -- Winter: ECS 251, ECS 271, ECS 299 -- Spring: ECS 272, ECS 299; Advanced Proficiency Requirements completed ♦    Year 3 -- Fall: ECS 299; Program of Study submitted and approved; Application for Qualifying Exam -- Winter: ECS 299; Qualifying Examination; Advancement to Ph.D. Candidacy -- Spring: ECS 299 ♦    Years 4 - 6 -- ECS 299; Dissertation Research Completion; Exit Seminar Completion

• Sources of Funding

Financial assistance for graduate study comes in the form of fellowships, Teaching Assistantships (TA), and Graduate Student Research (GSR) positions. The standard form of Ph.D. graduate student support in a 50% TA position for the first three quarters and either a 50% TA or 45% GSR position for the remainder of a student’s academic career. The amount and type of aid that the department can offer varies from year to year depending on the number of TA and GSR positions that are available, the fellowships that the department is authorized to award, and the number of students requesting financial assistance. We strongly encourage all qualified applicants to apply for many external fellowships offered by both government and private agencies.nnn

• PELP, In Absentia and Filing Fee Status

Information about PELP (Planned Educational Leave), In Absentia (reduced fees when researching out of state) and Filing Fee status can be found in the UC Davis Graduate Studies website.

• Leaving the Program Prior to Completion of the Ph.D. Requirements

Should a student leave the program prior to completing the requirements for the Ph.D., he or she may still be eligible to receive the master’s degree if they have fulfilled all the requirements. Students use the Change of Degree Objective form available from the Office of the University Registrar.

Frequently Asked Ph.D. Questions

• How do I get a Ph.D. in computer science?

The requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy are the satisfactory completion of the advanced proficiency requirements, qualifying examination, completion of an approved program of study, and writing a dissertation approved by your thesis committee. The time frame varies but the following list shows the approximate time frame and sequence to follow:

♦   Typical Time to Degree: 4-5 Years ♦   Undergraduate Proficiency (UGP) Requirements ♦   optionally, Master’s Degree Requirements ♦   Major and Minor Area of Study ♦   10 Graduate Courses (includes Advanced Proficiency Requirements) ♦   optionally, get a Master’s degree along the way ♦   Qualifying Exam (taken when all coursework is complete: 6th-9th quarter of study) ♦   Approved Dissertation and Exit Seminar

• How many courses must I take?

At least ten graduate courses are required, exclusive of seminar (290, 290C, 298) and research (299) units. This may include all courses taken in the Master’s program if applicable. A grade of A- or better in the four core areas, and a grade of B or better must be obtained in all coursework used to satisfy degree requirements.

Can I take courses outside of Computer Science?

Yes, you can take courses outside of computer science. They must be graduate level (2XX) courses, that are 4 units each, related to computer science or your research, if you want them to count towards your degree requirements. Up to three courses (12-units) may be taken outside ECS and counted towards your degree requirements.

Are there any specific courses outside Computer Science that are recommended for a CS graduate student to take?

Yes, there are several courses that GGCS faculty suggest would be appropriate for CS graduate students:

• ♦   BST 227 - Machine Learning Genomics ♦   CMN 275Y - Computational Social Science
• ♦   DES 178 - Wearable Technologies ♦   EEC 244 - Intro to Neuroengineering ♦   EEC 270 - Computer Architecture ♦   EEC 273 - Networking Architecture & Resource Management ♦   MAE 207 - Engineering Experimentation & Uncertainty Analysis ♦   MAE 228 - Introduction to BioMEMS
• ♦   MAT 258A - Numerical Optimization 
• ♦   MAT 258B - Discrete and Mixed-Integer Optimization 

♦   STA 208 - Statistical Methods in Machine Learning ♦   STA 220 - Data & Web Technologies for Data Analysis ♦   STA 221 - Big Data & High Performance Statistical Computing

NOTE: Please keep in mind the following policies related to coursework counting towards the degree requirements:

• What is a Program of Study?

The student, in conjunction with the faculty/dissertation advisor, develops the program of study. The form is available from the graduate student service advisors. For a Ph.D. student, this includes both a major and minor area of study. The major area must include at least thirty units of coursework (six units of the 30 come from 299) that form a consistent program in a research area of Computer Science. The minor area must include at least fifteen units of coursework, including at least three graduate courses, and excludes any 299 units. No course with a grade less than a B can be used on the program of study. When complete, the student must submit the form to the graduate student service advisors for approval from the Educational Policy Committee.

• What is the teaching requirement?

The Graduate Group requires all Ph.D. candidates to demonstrate at least one quarter of college level teaching experience. We strongly recommend that at least one of these quarters includes lecturing or leading a discussion section.

• What is the process for setting up my Qualifying Exam?

At least two months before you plan to take your Examination, find a suitable time when your planned committee members can attend. Allow for approximately 2.5 – 3 hours. Next, coordinate a room reservation on COWS. Once the date is set, complete the Qualifying Examination Application. Submit it to the graduate student service advisors at least 5 weeks before your scheduled exam date, who will then get the signatures needed and forward it to the Office of Graduate Studies.

• What is Advancement to Candidacy?

Advancing to candidacy means completing all the prerequisites for doing research toward the degree. For the Ph.D. degree, this means completing all course requirements and passing the Qualifying Exam. Please submit the Candidacy for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy to the graduate student service advisors.

• I have questions about preparing and filing my dissertation. Who do I talk to?

For assistance in the preparation of your dissertation, see the Office of Graduate Studies  website on filing your dissertation. You must make an appointment with the Student Affairs Coordinator in order to file your dissertation. 

You are responsible for observing the filing dates and for preparing the dissertation in the proper format. As part of the filing process, you will fill out the University Microfilms International (UMI) Doctoral Dissertation Agreement form on which you indicate your willingness either to have the University supply copies of your dissertation to interested persons immediately, or that such permission should be withheld for a period of time, up to a maximum of three years.

Filing your dissertation is the last step in the process leading to the awarding of your degree. The final copy of your dissertation, which is ultimately deposited in the University Library, becomes a permanent and official record. You have the choice of submitting either your entire manuscript, or only your dissertation abstract, to UMI Dissertation Publishing. Both options provide higher visibility of your achievements. If you submit your entire dissertation to UMI, it will be returned to Shields Library, where it will be bound and stored. The packet of information that was sent to you when we returned your approved candidacy form contained the forms you need to submit with your manuscript.

• What is the filing fee?

The Filing Fee Program is for students who have completed all requirements for degrees except filing theses or taking final examinations, and who are no longer using University facilities. The Filing Fee is a reduced fee, paid in lieu of registration fees. It is assessed only once. The Filing Fee option preserves your candidacy status with the University; however, you are no longer considered a full-time registered student by the University, and are not entitled to the same benefits and privileges as a registered student. You are allowed two quarters plus one extension of Filing Fee. To file, complete the Filing Fee Request and submit to the graduate student service advisors.

• What is the exit seminar?

In the exit seminar, the candidate’s research is presented to the UC Davis academic community. This seminar is administered by the dissertation committee, and takes place after all committee members have approved the dissertation, but (usually) before the dissertation has been filed with the Office of Graduate Studies.

• I am graduating. After I file my dissertation, is there any additional paperwork I need to complete?

Yes! Please see the graduate student service advisors to complete the Graduate Exit Checklist.

• Can I take classes outside Computer Science?

Yes , you may take up to 12-units (3 classes) of electives outside Computer Science in a related area, and they will count towards your Ph.D. degree requirements.

Jack N. Averitt College of Graduate Studies

Doctor of Philosophy in Applied Computing

About the program.

Format : Statesboro Credit Hours : 42-63 Entry Terms : Fall

Graduates of the Ph.D. program in Applied Computing will demonstrate an ability to conduct independent and creative research that contributes to the advancement of knowledge; demonstrate a sufficient breadth of understanding in applied computing, and an appropriate depth of understanding in a chosen area of research specialization; apply knowledge and creativity to solve complex problems and challenges facing society; provide ethical, responsible, and sustainable technical leadership; and communicate effectively

Ready to Apply?

Request information, visit campus, or, you can :, admission requirements, regular admission.

• Completed requirements for a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or Information Technology, or closely related field (as approved by the graduate program coordinator) at an accredited college or university.
• Completed requirements for master’s degree in Computer Science or Information Technology, or closely related field (as approved by the graduate program coordinator), with a 3.00 (4.0 scale) or equivalent cumulative grade point average or higher on courses in the master’s graduate degree program.
• International students must meet the College of Graduate Studies English Proficiency requirements.

*International transcripts must be evaluated by a NACES accredited evaluation service  and must be a course by course evaluation and include a GPA. ( naces.org )

Does Not Admit

*The application and all ​​required documents listed on the “admissions requirements” tab​ for the program must be received by the deadline.  If all required documents are not received by the deadline your application will not be considered for admission.

Program Contact Information

Recruiting Coordinator [email protected]

Last updated: 5/3/2024

• Preferred Graduate Admissions
• All Graduate Programs
• Certificate Programs
• Endorsement Programs
• Online Programs
• Tuition Classification
• Graduate Assistantships
• Financial Aid
• Request More Information
• Schedule A Visit

Contact Information

Office of Graduate Admissions Physical Address: 261 Forest Drive PO Box 8113 Statesboro, GA 30460 Georgia Southern University Phone: 912-478-5384 Fax: 912-478-0740 gradadmissions @georgiasouthern.edu

Follow us on Facebook!

Georgia Southern University College of Graduate Studies

Office of Graduate Admissions • P.O. Box 8113 Statesboro, GA 30460 • 912-478-5384 • [email protected]

Privacy Overview

This grad track option is a BS to PhD accelerated program for undergraduate students. The students can take a maximum of 12 credit hours of graduate courses while completing the BS degree. These credits will be counted toward first the BS and then, following graduation, be transferred to the PhD degree.

The following is the step-by-step process:

• Student applies for the grad track to PhD option in the junior year (having completed at least 75 credit hours with a GPA of 3.5 or higher).
• After the application is approved and the student has completed at least 90 credit hours, the student can start taking the graduate courses that are approved for the grad track to PhD option as MTSE electives for the BS degree requirement. For the graduate courses to be counted toward the PhD degree later, the student must meet the minimum grade requirements of the courses in the PhD program.
• The student applies to the Toulouse Graduate School within the first semester of the senior year. The student needs to submit online application and all required documents for admission to the PhD MTSE program.
• The student must enroll in the graduate school in the long semester after finishing his/her BS degree and should take the remaining graduate courses in the following year(s) to complete his/her PhD degree. If the student did not enroll in the graduate school in the long semester after finishing his/her BS degree, those graduate course credit hours will no longer be counted for the PhD degree even if the student comes back for graduate school in the future. 
• Students in the BS-to-MS grad track program can apply to transfer to the BS-to-PhD grad track program any time with departmental approval.
• Once admitted to the PhD program, the student will have higher priority for funding (research and teaching assistantships) to support PhD study.

Program requirements

Students may choose up to 12 hours from the following list of courses:

• MTSE 5000 - Thermodynamics of Materials
• MTSE 5010 - Bonding, Structure and Crystallography
• MTSE 5020 - Mechanical Properties of Materials
• MTSE 5070 - Tribology of Materials
• MTSE 5200 - Advanced Concepts of Metallurgical Science
• MTSE 5300 - Science and Technology of Modern Ceramics
• MTSE 5400 - Advanced Polymer Physics and Chemistry
• MTSE 5500 - Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
• MTSE 5520 - Physical and Chemical Basis of Integrated Circuit Fabrication
• MTSE 5560 - Compound Semiconductor Materials and Devices
• MTSE 5610 - Fundamentals of Surface and Thin Film Analysis
• MTSE 5620 - Scanning Electron and Ion Microscopy
• MTSE 5710 - Computational Materials Science

All remaining courses for  Materials Science and Engineering, BS    must be completed.

Early Childhood Education Certificate Requirements

Complete these required courses to earn an online graduate certificate in Early Childhood Education.

Admissions Requirements

• A four-year bachelor's degree from a recognized college or university.
• An overall undergraduate grade point average of 2.75 or greater for all undergraduate work or a GPA of at least 3.0 for the junior and senior years of undergraduate work (based on A=4.0).
• Satisfy the School of Graduate Studies' English Language Proficiency requirements as published in the graduate catalog.

Certificate Requirements

The requirements on this page are pulled from UND’s academic catalog and may not reflect future terms. Updates are published annually in April.

A graduate certificate is a short series of graduate-level college courses that offer specialized training in a specific industry. UND offers graduate certificate programs focused on education, technology, business, and public administration. You must complete your bachelor’s degree before enrolling in a graduate certificate program.

Graduate certificate courses can sometimes be stacked to meet the requirements for a master’s degree. Reach out to the department for clarification prior to entering a graduate certificate program if your desire is to apply your graduate certificate credits to a master’s degree.

By clicking any link on this page you are giving your consent for us to set cookies, Privacy Information .

• Studying medicine
• How to apply to medical school in the UK
• Entry requirements for 2024 start

Medical school entry requirements for 2024 start

• Standard Entry Medicine
• Graduate Entry Medicine
• Medicine with a Preliminary Year
• Medicine with a Gateway Year

Select a course type above then use the filters below to learn about the courses. This information is provided directly by the medical schools but can change. Always confirm the information on medical schools’ websites. You can see when this information was last updated under the name of each course.

This information relates to entry requirements for entry into medical school in Autumn 2024, with UCAS applications to be submitted by 16 October 2023.

A PDF version of this information can be downloaded here:  Entry requirements for UK medical schools: 2024 entry.

Competition ratios

Degree (graduate applicants), a levels and scottish highers, gcses and scottish nationals, international baccalaureate, access to he diplomas, admissions test, personal statement, interview method, work experience, widening participation, contextual admissions, additional information, university of aberdeen medical school, mbchb medicine (a100).

Last updated: June 2023

Number of applicants per interview: Home: 2 |   International: 3

Number of applicants per place: Home: 6 |   International: 19

Graduates must hold at least an upper second class honours (2:1 Hons degree) or equivalent. Chemistry to at least B grade in Scottish Higher or B grade in GCE A-Level examinations is required also, although this requirement may be satisfied in individual cases by appropriate courses of study and achievement during the first degree.

A levels - AAA including Chemistry and one from Biology, Maths or Physics, and one other subject

S5 - AAAAB in Chemistry and two of Maths, Biology/Human Biology or Physics plus two other subjects. S6 - BBB at Higher/Advanced Higher

36 points. Three subjects at Higher level at grade 6 or higher including Chemistry and one of either Biology, Physics or Maths. Three appropriate subjects at standard level with average grade 6 including one science if three not offered at Higher level.

GCSE Grade 6 passes in English Language and Maths are required. Biology is recommended; Physics is recommended (or Dual Award Science) A combination of Grade 6-9 passes at GCSE is expected, especially in science subjects.

National 5s: English and Maths are required (Grade B minimum); Biology and Physics are recommended but not compulsory (Grade B minimum). A combination of Grade A & B passes at Standard Grade / National 5 is expected, especially in science subjects.

Access to Medicine Higher Education Courses that are approved by AQA

All Personal Statements will be reviewed prior to interview invites being sent out.  If candidates are invited to interview, their Personal Statement will be assessed during the interview.

Multiple mini-interviews

Candidates may draw from their work experience to answer questions at the MMI.

We consider a range of criteria for widening participation such as your home postcode, whether you are a carer or care experienced and we support applicants enrolled on the REACH program . See website for details.

See website for details.

Anglia Ruskin University School of Medicine

Mb chb primary medical qualification (a100).

Number of applicants per interview: Home: 3

Number of applicants per place:  Home: 15

Minimum 2:1 honours degree awarded within the last five years. The degree must be in a biological, biomedical, chemistry or health science subject.

AAA at A Level taken within two academic years prior to the time of application, to include Chemistry or Biology and one of either Biology, Chemistry, Maths or Physics. For the third A Level*, please note that we do not accept General Studies and Critical Thinking. For Biology, Chemistry and Physics A Levels, we require a pass in the practical element. Applicants who meet the criteria of our Widening Access to Medicine Scheme are eligible for a lower entry requirement of ABB.

Advanced Highers: ABB from Scottish Advanced Highers with grades AB to come from Biology and/or Chemistry and another science subject.

Highers: AAAAA at Higher Grade including Biology and/or Chemistry and another science subject. We also require National 5 Grade B or above or GCSE grade B (5) or above in English Language, two science subjects and Maths.

A minimum of 36 points is accepted. 666 at Higher Level in Biology and/or Chemistry plus one other science and including Mathematics or English.

GCSEs: A minimum of 5 GCSEs at grade A*-B (9-6) required including English Language, Maths and two science subjects. Scottish Nationals: Grade 5 or above in English Language, two science subjects and Maths.

We currently accept any QAA accredited Access to Higher Education Diploma (Medicine) qualification.

We do not weight the personal statement in the selection process, but applicants should be prepared to discuss or use aspects of the statement at interview.

It is desirable for applicants to have undertaken work experience in the healthcare sector, whether that be shadowing, volunteering, paid-work or observing.

Applicants who meet the criteria of our Widening Access to Medicine Scheme will, if successful at interview, be eligible to receive an offer based on grades ABB rather than the usual AAA grades. See website for details .

Aston University Medical School

Mb chb medicine (a100).

For graduate applicants, normally a minimum of an upper second class Honours degree (2:1) in any discipline plus three A Levels at grades ABB to include Chemistry and Biology with either at grade A. The university degree must be from a recognised UK or UK ENIC approved university. In addition, applicants will normally be required to have the same GCSE requirements as other applicants.

A Level: A*AA which must include Chemistry and Biology (including passing the practical elements). Scottish Advanced Highers: AAA to include Chemistry and Biology.

Normally applicants are required to have a minimum of six grade 6 (B) at GCSEs, or equivalent for international qualifications. Compulsory subjects are Maths, English Language, Chemistry, Biology or Double Science.

37 overall where applicants must have  7,6,6 at Higher Level consisting of 7 in Chemistry or Biology, 6 in Chemistry or Biology and 6 in another subject and the remaining from Standard Level subjects and Core.

All personal statements are read but not scored or used in ranking of applicants.

Multiple Mini Interviews

We do not require applicants to have healthcare related work experience but do expect them to have some exposure to a work place. Clinical work experience is not a requirement to apply for this course however, applicants are expected to have knowledge of studying and practising medicine.

In keeping with our vision of being a socially inclusive medical school, we aim to offer up to 40 per cent of our UK places to students who meet specified widening participation criteria.  See website for details.

Bangor Universit y,  North Wales Medical School

Bmbs medicine (a100).

Last updated: September 2023

If you are a graduate applicant, you must have or be working towards a 2:1 (Hons) in your degree and have BBB/ABC at A-level (or equivalent), including subject requirements and meet the minimum GCSE requirements (or equivalent qualifications). If you have completed an MSc / PhD, the minimum A-Level requirement is BBC and all other criteria listed for graduates must be met.  

A Levels - AAA required. This must include Biology and an additional science from the list below:  

• Chemistry  
• Economics  
• Maths / Further Maths / Statistics  

You will need to pass the science practical element of the A-Level if this is part of your programme of study.  

Other non-standard subjects may not be accepted.

36 overall (excluding Theory of Knowledge and the Extended Essay) including 19 at Higher Level. Must include grade 6 in Biology and Chemistry. Grade 7 in SL Biology or Chemistry can be taken in place of Higher Level Biology or Chemistry if you also have grade 6 in HL Maths, Physics or Statistics.  

• English Language or Welsh Language at grade B/6 and, 
• Double Science at grades BB/66 (or grades B/6 in both Biology and Chemistry) and,  
• Maths grade B/6 and,  
• Five other GCSEs at grade B/6  

You must demonstrate an awareness of the healthcare system in the UK and the nature of the medical training in your personal statement. If you are a first language Welsh speaker then please make this clear within your personal statement.  

You must achieve UCAT prior to submitting your application. You must sit the UCAT in the year of application. We do not have a minimum threshold score; however, we will use UCAT scores as part of our selection process.  

Should you be selected, you will be invited to attend an interview. We use the multiple mini interview (MMI) format, which is a series of short, carefully timed interview stations that you will rotate around in turn. All applicants must attend for interview if invited.

No specific requirements.

A contextual offer of AAB may be made to Welsh speaking students or those who meet our  contextual offer requirements , which for the purpose of application to Medicine must also include having gained a Welsh Language (first language) GCSE qualification.

University of Birmingham School of Medicine

Mbchb medicine and surgery (a100).

Last updated: July 2023

Number of applicants per interview: Home: 2.2 | International: 5.35

Number of applicants per place:  Home: 8.4 | International: 21.9

Achieved or predicted first or upper second class degree in any subject from a recognised institution. We expect that no more than five years will have elapsed between the most significant and relevant qualification and the start date of the course. If more than five years have elapsed since your degree, then your work since your degree will be considered.

The standard offer is A*AA at A-Level, including Biology/Human Biology and Chemistry. Applicants must be predicted a minimum of AAA. Contextual applicants may receive an alternative offer of AAA  and those on a recognised widening-participation programme may receive an offer of ABB.

A total of seven GCSEs must be offered, and these will be used to calculate an applicant score (see website for details). The required subjects are: English Language at grade 6/B or higher (English Literature is not required but is one of the identified subjects that we will score); Mathematics (or one of Methods in Mathematics and Applications of Mathematics) at grade 6/B or higher; and Biology and Chemistry or dual award science at grade 6/B or higher.

Higher level: 7,6,6 from Chemistry and Biology and one other approved subject. A minimum of 32 points must be attained.

The personal statement is not scored but sufficient evidence of commitment to medicine must be described.

Relevant work experience (including voluntary roles and shadowing opportunities) can offer great insight of the complexities, demands and strategies of current healthcare practice and the benefits they obtain from caring for people and working in teams. However, we recognise that arranging, undertaking and effective reflection on face-to-face experiences requires a great deal of time and effort, and may not have been possible during the recent pandemic disruptions, so it is not mandatory.

Students who successfully complete a Pathways to Birmingham programme and apply to the University of Birmingham will receive special consideration from admissions tutors. For Year 12 programmes (e.g. Routes to the Profession), this includes the offer of a guaranteed place at interview.

If their application is successful, they will receive two offers from the University of Birmingham - the standard offer and a Pathways to Birmingham offer. The Pathways to Birmingham offer is currently three grades below the standard offer, as advertised in the prospectus (so currently ABB at A level). Students may also be eligible to receive the Pathways to Birmingham financial support. Birmingham Medical School is also part of the UKWPMED collaboration, offering recognition of the partner institutions' own widening-participation programmes.

This course offers contextual admissions. An application score is comprised of various elements including a contextual score based  on school attended and POLAR4 quintile.  The medical school considers the following contextual measures: 

• School's GCSE performance
• School's A level performance
• Care experienced

Brighton and Sussex Medical School

Bm bs medicine (a100).

2:1, in a science degree with GCSE Maths & English at grade 6 (B) and BBB at A level to include Biology and Chemistry.

A Level: AAA - Biology, Chemistry and one other (AAB with CD)

Scottish Highers: AAA to include Biology and Chemistry. Or pass Advanced Higher Biology and Chemistry with grades A with at least grades A in two additional Higher Subjects. English and Maths requirements: grades B or above in National 5s English and Maths.

36 points including Biology and Chemistry at Higher level at grade 6. 

We require all applicants, without contextual data, to have obtained at least a grade 6/B in English (Language or Literature) and Maths GCSEs. For applicants with contextual data, we will accept English (Language or Literature) and Maths GCSEs at a grade 5/C. Please note we do not take any other GSCEs into consideration during our admissions process.

Scottish National 5s - English and Maths at grade B or above, or grade C for applicants meeting BSMS's contextual admissions criteria.

BSMS accepts the following Access to HE qualifications:

• East Sussex College Access to Medicine and Dentistry Diploma
• City and Islington Medicine & Medical Bio Sciences – Access to HE Diploma
• College of West Anglia Access to Medicine and Dentistry
• Distance Learning Centre's online Access to HE Diploma in Medicine

The personal statement is not used in any part of the selection process.

Multiple mini-interviews 

Not required but must have suitable understanding of medicine.

University of Bristol Medical School

2:1 in first degree with ABB at A Level including A in Chemistry and B in one of Biology, Physics or Mathematics (or in equivalent level 3 qualifications). Any degree subject is accepted if applicants meet the above level 3 requirements.

AAA at A level including A in Chemistry and A in one of Biology, Physics or Maths.

AA at SQA Advanced Higher including A in Chemistry and A in one of Biology, Physics or Maths with with AAAAB in Scottish Highers.

36 points overall with 18 at Higher Level, including 6, 6 at Higher Level in Chemistry and one of Biology, Physics or Mathematics (either Analysis and Approaches or Applications and Interpretations)

Advanced numeracy requirement (7 or A in GCSE Mathematics or equivalent) and Standard literacy requirement (4 or C in GCSE English or equivalent).

Life Science, Medicine or Science. Must include a minimum of 15 level 3 credits in Chemistry and 15 level 3 credits in one of Biology, Physics or Mathematics.

We no longer use the personal statement as a weighted component of our selection criteria.

Multiple mini-interviews (online)

While not a requirement for the course, we encourage applicants to obtain a minimum of two weeks’ work experience. This enables the applicant to gain some insight into their potential vocation. Applicants may be asked to reflect on their work experience at interview.

This course offers contextual admissions. For applicants that are eligible for contextual admissions, this may result in a reduced predicted grade requirement for interview and a reduced academic grade offer (e.g. A levels, IB, Highers).

Brunel Medical School Currently only open to international students. It is our aim to open our admission to home (UK) students at the earliest opportunity.

Medicine mbbs (a100).

Upper second-class degree or equivalent in a subject relevant to Medicine. Applicants presenting university degree qualifications will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

AAB at A-Level to include Chemistry or Biology and a second science (chemistry, biology, physics) or maths and a third subject (not general studies) or international equivalent.

At least Grade B (5) in Maths and Grade C (4) in English Language or equivalent qualification.

36 points (including Theory of Knowledge and Extended Essay) and must include Higher Level 6 in either Chemistry or Biology and Higher Level 5 in Mathematics or in a second science (Chemistry, Biology, Physics).

The personal statement will be used as part of the selection process for the MBBS programme. The personal statement should be 750 words, please refer to our website to review what we are looking for.

Multiple Mini Interviews (Virtual)

Work experience, with dates: this should include a caring or service role, such as paid employment for a healthcare organisation, volunteering for a community organisation or caring for a family member. Focus on what you have gained from these activities in terms of your personal development and insights into a caring profession.

University of Buckingham Medical School AWAITING 2024 ENTRY UPDATES

Mb chb medicine (71a8).

Last updated: June 2022

For applicants offering a degree – they should have a Bachelor degree in a subject cognate to Medicine, and have or be predicted a minimum classification of 2.1.

ABB at A level including Chemistry and Biology.

BBB at Advanced Highers to include Chemistry and Biology.

In the specific case of the International Baccalaureate, they should be expected to achieve or to have achieved a total score of at least 34 points with Higher Level 6 in Chemistry & Biology. Please note that the overall point score does not include theory of knowledge or extended essay.

The medical school may consider all the information provided within a candidates application including academic qualifications, personal statement and references before a final decision is made to interview or offer a place on the course.

Multiple mini-interviews.

Not considered.

The University of Buckingham is a not-for-profit educational charity that receives no government subsidies. More information on fees. Please note the application deadline for this course is 31 August of each year. This course is 4.5 years and the term starts in January 2021.

University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine

Mb bchir medicine (a100).

Number of applicants per interview: Home: - |   International: -

Number of applicants per place: Home: 6 |   International: 20

Typical offers are A*A*A at A level, or A1A1A2 in Scottish Advanced Highers. On entry, applicants must have A level passes in Chemistry and at least one of Biology, Physics, Maths (two required by some colleges). Please note that the success rate for students offering three or more Science/Maths A levels has often been higher than for those without.

40–42 points, with 7,7,6 at Higher Level. On entry, applicants must have Higher Chemistry and at least one of Higher Biology, Physics, Maths (two required by some Colleges).

Personal statement is reviewed prior to interview but not scored.

Panel interview/s (usually two interviews lasting 25–30 minutes at one College).

To develop understanding of what a career in medicine involves and suitability for your intended profession, candidates are strongly advised (though not required) to undertake some relevant work experience (either paid or voluntary) in a health or related area. The medical school is not prescriptive about how this is obtained and recognises the widely differing opportunities available.

Contextual data is considered within the admissions process; relevant applications receive contextual flags based on individual, socio-economic and educational disadvantage. This information is fully considered as part of a holistic admissions process to aid in the fair assessment of applicants, but does not result in systematic lower grade offers. The university delivers a Medicine Summer School with the Sutton Trust, alongside a number of other subject-specific outreach interventions.

See website for more details.

• Page 1 2 3 4 5

Copyright © 2018 - Medical Schools Council

• Terms and conditions
• Privacy statement
• Safeguarding policy

Medical Schools Council registered Charity No. 1155370 A Company limited by guarantee and registered in England and Wales Company No. 8817383 Registered Office: Woburn House, 20 Tavistock Square, London WC1H 9HD

Online Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis

Join a community of scholars whose mission is to deliver high-quality behavioral services under challenging, real-world conditions and to develop and extend behavioral technology to improve the lives of individuals with disabilities.

Special Education Opportunities

• All ABA Programs
• Special Education Department
• Request Information

Certificate Overview

Peabody College's Online Post-Master's Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis features coursework verified by the Association for Behavior Analysis International. The program is grounded in educational research and technology, and challenges students to integrate applied behavior analysis into practice. This program is housed within Peabody's top-ranked Department of Special Education, home to groundbreaking research, innovative practices, and widely used methods. The ABA certificate is designed for non degree-seeking individuals who have already completed a master's degree in a related field. Students who complete the program will be equipped to pursue careers working with individuals with disabilities. Coursework is offered online through a combination of synchronous and asynchronous coursework.

There's a growing need for board certified behavior analysts. According to the Behavior Analyst Certification Board, annual demand has grown each year since 2010, with job postings increasing by 190 percent from 2018 to 2021 alone, with a 14% increase from 2022 to 2023. 

Johanna Staubitz, assistant professor of the practice and ABA program director

“The goal of Vanderbilt’s online certificate program is to make our high-quality ABA course sequence accessible to any practitioner, regardless of their geographic location, who aspires to more effectively support the needs of individuals with disabilities."

Certificate Details

Certificate Director: Johanna Staubitz

Admission Coordinator: Kelly Limina

Email Us: [email protected]

This is a post-master's, non-degree, credit-bearing certificate program. Upon completion of the certificate, students will have satisfied all coursework required to sit for the Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) examination. Note : Applicants will have to meet additional field work requirements to qualify for the BCBA exam.

Admission Term : Fall 2024

Application Deadline : July 5, 2024

Required Hours : 21

Program Length: Approximately 1 year

Course Format: Courses are offered in a synchronous and asynchronous combination 

Tuition : $1,000 per credit hour

Funding: Tuition awards are not available for certificate programs since they are offered at a reduced rate.

Home Academic Department: Special Education

Application Requirements

• Completed application
• Undergraduate and graduate transcripts (A master’s degree in a disability-related field such as education, psychology, social work or counseling is required.) Please scan and attach your unofficial transcript(s), or a copy of your official transcript(s), to your application. Note: Unofficial transcripts are accepted for the application. We understand that requesting official transcripts can be expensive, so we only require official, sealed transcripts if you are admitted and enroll at Peabody College.

Two letters of recommendation are required, three preferred for our certificate program. Their letter should speak to your academic and/or professional abilities. We recommend choosing recommenders that have taught, supervised, or have worked with you for a period of time as they will have the clearest evaluation of your potential for the program.

Statement of purpose

This is a short essay on why you want to enroll in the Applied Behavior Analysis Certificate Online Program at Vanderbilt University. Be concise with your reasoning but leave no question unanswered for the review committee. Describe your background and experiences relevant to your choice to pursue further training in applied behavior analysis, your career goals, and how training at Vanderbilt will help you achieve those goals. The statement of purpose should be 1-2 pages long, not to exceed 2 pages single-spaced. 

• Resume or or curriculum vitae
• This program is open to individuals in the United States, Canada, Australia and the United Kingdom. Some courses meet synchronously and therefore the program is best suited for those in United States and Canadian time zones

English Proficiency Testing

TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo scores are  required  of all international applicants unless you have received a college degree and completed coursework from an accredited institution in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, or New Zealand.

Students who complete coursework on campuses of U.S.-based institutions   not in one of the above listed locations still need to submit English language scores.

An official score report sent directly from the testing agency is required. Our TOEFL institutional code is 1871, and there is no department code. The minimum recommended TOEFL score is 100.

There is no institutional code for the IELTS. A minimum recommended score is 7.0 for the composite score with no individual band score below 6.5.

Duolingo scores are also accepted. Test results must include subscores. If you took the test prior to July 15, 2019 when subscores were added, you should retake the test to comply with the subscore requirement. A minimum recommended score is 120.

Certificate Curriculum

The certificate consists of 7, 3-credit courses of the ABA verified course sequence (VCS)

• Management Procedures for Academic and Social Behavior
• Experimental Analysis of Behavior
• Theory in Behavior Analysis
• Administering Ethical Behavior Analytic Services
• Instruction and Learning in Early Childhood Special Education
• Introduction to Single Case Research Design
• Personnel Supervision and Management in Applied Behavior Analysis

Certificate Faculty