Ph.D. Checklist


CISE Ph.D. program

  • Apply for credit transfer up to 30 hours from a prior master degree in computer science or computer engineering from an accredited institution.
  • Apply for credit transfer for up to 15 credits beyond the master’s degree earned from a computer science doctoral program at other accredited institutions.
  • Apply for equivalency for any core course to satisfy the core-course requirement.
  • Select Supervisory Committee Chair and form the Supervisory Committee before the end of the semester.
  • Prepare for and take the Ph.D. written Qualifying Exam. Students can take the first attempt after satisfying the core GPA requirements.
  • Register for the grad seminar course (one credit for each of three semesters).
  • Discuss with Supervisory Committee Chair the plan to take the candidacy exams; inform the committee and set up the oral exam date.
  • Inform Graduate Academic Advisor of the planned date of the exam.
  • Prepare the dissertation proposal and deliver to the committee 2 weeks before the exam.
  • After admittance to candidacy, apply for the master’s degree (for those without a prior master’s degree who have satisfied all master’s requirements).
  • Discuss your plan for graduation with the Supervisory Committee Chair.
  • Check with the Graduate Academic Advisor to see if all graduation requirements have been satisfied.
  • Submit degree application online via Student Self Service.
  • Complete departmental exit interview process (watch for applicable emailed notifications).
  • Be registered for at least the minimum number of credits required for completion of the degree.
  • Schedule a dissertation defense with the supervisory committee.
  • Inform Adrienne L. Cook of scheduled plans and reserve a room for the defense if needed or ZOOM is an acceptable platform. Include a copy of your Abstract.
  • At least a week before the defense, provide each member of the supervisory committee with an advance copy of your dissertation.
  • All Committee members will be emailed the following (1) announcement of your Defense (2) your Abstract (3) Final Exam form at least 1 week prior to the student’s defense
  • After defending, verify with your supervisory chair that all final exam forms have been correctly signed and enter the GradPro information in GIMS.
  • Submit all dissertation forms to Adrienne L. Cook.

Questions?

Contact a CISE graduate academic advisor.