Degree Information

Steps to Fulfill Doctoral Degree Requirements

1 Meet with departmental/intercollegiate graduate advisor to plan course of study for first semester. arrow When: Before first semester registration.
Approved by: Graduate advisor.
2 Establish advisory committee. Submit a degree plan. arrow When: Prior to the deadline imposed by the student’s college or intercollegiate programs, and no later than 90 days prior to preliminary examination.
Approved by: Advisory committee, department head or intercollegiate faculty chair, and Office of Graduate Studies (OGS).
3 Complete English Language Proficiency requirements (if applicable), and course work detailed on degree plan. arrow When: Before preliminary examination.
4 Complete the preliminary examination. arrow When: See steps for completing the preliminary examination. The preliminary examination results must have been submitted to OGS 14 weeks prior to the date of the defense.
Approved by: Advisory committee, department head or chair of the intercollegiate faculty, and OGS.
5 Submit proposal for dissertation or record of study to the Office of Graduate Studies. arrow When: No later than 15 working days prior to the submission of the Request for the Final Examination.
Approved by: Advisory committee, department head or intercollegiate faculty chair, and OGS.
6 Complete residence requirement. arrow When: Before submitting request to schedule final oral examination.
Approved by: OGS.
7 Apply for degree; pay graduation fee. arrow When: During the first week of the final semester; see OGS calendar for deadlines.
8 Submit request for permission to hold and announce final oral examination. arrow When: Must be received by OGS at least 10 working days before requested exam date. See OGS calendar for deadlines.
Approved by: Advisory committee, department head or intercollegiate faculty chair, and OGS.
9 Upload one approved final copy of the dissertation or record of study as a single pdf file (thesis.tamu.edu) and submit a signed approval form to the Thesis Office. arrow When: See OGS calendar for deadlines.
Approved by: Advisory committee, department head or intercollegiate faculty chair, and Thesis Office.
10 Graduation; arrange for cap and gown. arrow For more information, contact University Bookstore.

Note: Once formal course work is complete, you must be continuously registered until all degree requirements have been met. (See Continuous Registration Requirements.)