Summary of Procedures for the Doctoral Degree Program

  1. Obtain application forms from the Graduate School and apply for admission by submitting completed forms and other required materials as outlined in the Graduate Bulletin. The Graduate School forwards the application to the appropriate departmental screening committee. The department head then makes a recommendation to the Graduate School dean, who sends a letter of acceptance.
  2. Apply for an assistantship, if pertinent, with the Electrical & Computer Engineering Department.
  3. Become familiar with requirements for the doctoral degree, as outlined in the Graduate Bulletin, and obtain a copy of the Doctoral Studies Guidelines and Checklist from the Graduate School.
  4. Consult with the departmental advisor and become oriented to the departmental procedures.
  5. Obtain registration materials from the Graduate School and plan schedule of study for the first semester of course work.
  6. Submit a proposed schedule for fulfilling the residency requirements. The Residency Form is available on the Graduate School Web Site.
  7. Establish an advisory committee through the major professor and department head. Official appointment of the Advisory Committee occurs when the plan of study is approved by the Graduate School.
  8. Access the On-line Plan of Study Form on the Graduate School Web Site, create the plan of study, and submit to the Graduate School a plan approved by the advisory committee and department head.
  9. Register for and take the Electrical & Computer Engineering Graduate Qualifying Exam, Parts A and B, no later than the end of the first academic year after beginning the program.
  10. Complete course work as detailed in the plan of study.
  11. Arrange with the Graduate School for a graduation check to determine of all requirements are being met.
  12. Arrange for the general written and oral examination through the advisory committee. After the written examination, the advisor will schedule the general oral examination one week in advance, using a form obtained from the Graduate School.
  13. Submit the dissertation proposal for approval by the advisory committee and become familiar with the Guide to the Preparation and Submission of Theses and Dissertations, available in the University Bookstore.
  14. Prepare the dissertation and submit a committee-approved first draft to the Graduate School.
  15. Study recommendations of the outside reader and make appropriate improvements in the dissertation.
  16. On approval of the dissertation by the dean of the Graduate School, arrange for final oral examination.
  17. Indicate expected graduation on the registration form during registration for the final semester, or no later than the fifth day of the academic semester.