Texas A&M University Graduate Catalog

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Degree Information

The Degree of Doctor of Philosophy

Residence (See Residence Requirements)

Students who enter the doctoral degree programs with a baccalaureate degree must spend one academic year plus one semester in resident study. Students who hold master's degrees when they enter doctoral degree programs must spend one academic year in resident study. One academic year may include two adjacent regular semesters or one regular semester and one adjacent 10-week summer semester. The third semester is not required to be adjacent to the one year. Enrollment for each semester must be a minimum of 9 credit hours each to satisfy the residence requirement.

To satisfy the residence requirement, the student must complete a minimum of 9 credit hours per semester or 10-week summer semester for the required period. Those students who enter doctoral degree programs with baccalaureate degrees may fulfill residence requirements in excess of one academic year (18 credit hours) by registration during summer sessions or by completion of a less-than-full course load (in this context a full course load is considered 9 credit hours per semester). Full-time staff members of the University or of closely affiliated organizations stationed at the campus may fulfill total residence requirements by the completion of less-than-full course loads. Employees should submit verification of their employment at the time they submit their degree plan. See Registration.

For students who have completed a master's degree, a minimum of 64 hours is required on the degree plan for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. For students who have completed a baccalaureate degree but not a master's degree, a minimum of 96 credit hours is required on the degree plan for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy.