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Steps to Doctoral Degree

You must maintain continuous registration until all degree requirements have been met.

 

Step What to Do When Approved by

1

Meet with departmental graduate advisor to plan course of study for first semester.

Before first semester registration.

Graduate advisor

2

Establish advisory committee; submit your degree plan online.

Following the deadline imposed by the student's college and approved no later than 90 days prior to the preliminary exam.

Advisory committee, department head or chair of the intercollegiate faculty, and the Graduate and Professional School

3

Complete course work detailed on the approved degree plan.

Before preliminary exam.

 

4

Complete Preliminary Examination and Submit Preliminary Exam Checklist and Report.

The student should complete the Preliminary Examination no later than the end of the semester following the completion of the formal coursework on the degree plan. Results must be received by The Graduate and Professional School 10 working days after exam date.

Advisory committee, department head or chair of the intercollegiate faculty, and the Graduate and Professional School

5

Submit research proposal for dissertation or record of study and the Research Proposal Approval Form to the Graduate and Professional School

At least 20 working days prior to submission of the Request and Announcement of Final Examination.

Advisory committee, department head or intercollegiate faculty chair, Research Compliance and Biosafety, and the Graduate and Professional School

6

Complete residence requirement. (Check with your department to determine if there is a residency requirement.)

Before submitting request to schedule final oral examination.

The Graduate and Professional School

7

Apply for a degree online at the Howdy portal; pay graduation fee.

During the first week of the final semester; pay graduation fee after graduate application is submitted; see Graduate and Professional School calendar for deadlines.

The Graduate and Professional School

8

Submit Request and Announcement of Final Examination to hold and announce final examination.

Must be received by the Graduate and Professional School at least 10 working days before final exam date; see the Graduate and Professional School calendar for deadlines.

Advisory committee, department head or intercollegiate faculty chair, and the Graduate and Professional School

9

Successfully complete final examination.

The Report of the Final Examination form should be submitted to the Graduate and Professional School within 10 days following the exam by the department.

Advisory committee and the Graduate and Professional School

10

Upload one approved final copy of the dissertation or record of study as a single pdf file to etd.tamu.edu  and submit the fully signed Dissertation/Record of Study Approval Form to the Graduate and Professional School

See the Graduate and Professional School calendar for deadlines.

Advisory committee, department head or intercollegiate faculty chair, and the Graduate and Professional School

11

Graduation; arrange for cap and gown. | More information

   

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