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   Home  >   Resources for Graduate Students Page   >  Instructions & Policies >  Doctoral Degree Requirements

Doctoral Degree Requirements
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In order to qualify for the doctoral degree, it is the responsibility of the student to meet the following Graduate School minimum requirements.  Below is an abbreviated list of degree requirements.  A detailed list of degree requirements follows.  Important Note:   A student must satisfy the requirements that are in force at the time the degree is to be awarded.

 

A minimum of 90 credits must be completed (a master's degree from the UW or another institution may be used as a substitute for 30 credits of enrollment).
A minimum of 60 credits must be completed at the University of Washington.
At least 18 credits of UW course work at the 500 level and above must be completed prior to the General Examination.
At least 18 numerically graded UW credits of approved 400 and 500 level courses  must be completed prior to the General Examination.
Completion of 60 credits prior to scheduling the General Examination (a master's degree from the UW or another institution may be used as a substitute for 30 of these 60 credits).
A minimum of 27 dissertation credits over a period of at least three quarters must be completed.  With the exception of summer, students are limited to a maximum of 10 dissertation credits (800) per quarter.
A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 must be maintained
The General Examination must be successfully completed.
The Final Examination must be successfully completed.
A dissertation accepted by the Graduate School.
Registration maintained as a full- or part-time graduate student at the University for the quarter in which the examinations are completed AND the quarter the degree is conferred.
Completion of all work for the doctoral degree within ten years. 

Doctoral Degree Requirements  
(As stated in the UW General Catalog)

  1. Completion of a program of study and research as planned by the Graduate Program Coordinator in the student's major department or college and the Supervisory Committee.
  2. Presentation of 90 credits, 60 of which must be taken at the University of Washington.
  3. At least 18 credits of course work at the 500 level and above must be completed prior to scheduling the General Examination.
  4. Numerical grades must be received in at least 18 quarter credits of course work taken at the University of Washington prior to scheduling the General Examination. The Graduate School accepts numerical grades in approved 400-level courses accepted as part of the major, and in all 500-level courses.
  5. Completion of 60 credits prior to scheduling the General Examination (a master's degree from the UW or another institution may be used as a substitute for 30 of these credits).
  6. A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 is required for a graduate degree at the University.
  7. Creditable passage of the General Examination.  Registration and completion of credits as a graduate student is required the quarter the exam is taken and candidacy is conferred.
  8. The Candidate must register and complete a minimum of 27 credits of dissertation over a period of at least three quarters.  At least one quarter must come after the student passes the General Examination. With the exception of summer, students are limited to a maximum of 10 credits per quarter of dissertation (800).
  9. Creditable passage of a Final Examination, which is usually devoted to the defense of the dissertation and the field with which it is concerned. The General and Final Examinations cannot be scheduled during the same quarter. Registration and completion of credit as a graduate student is required the quarter the exam is taken AND the degree is conferred.  
  10. Preparation of and acceptance by the Dean of the Graduate School of a dissertation that is a significant contribution to knowledge and clearly indicates training in research. 
  11. Completion of all work for the doctoral degree within ten years. This includes quarters spent On-Leave or out of status as well as applicable work from the master's degree from the University of Washington or a master's degree from another institution, if used to substitute for 30 credits of enrollment.
  12. Registration and completion of credits as a full- or part-time graduate student at the University for the quarter in which the degree is conferred (see detailed information under Final Quarter Registration).
  13. A student must satisfy the requirements that are in force at the time the degree is to be awarded.

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