The University of Arizona

Graduate Info

PhD Graduation Requirements

To graduate with a PhD in Computer Science, students need to have met the following requirements.

  1. Earn A's and B's in all core courses
  2. 3.5 cummulative grade point average in core classes
  3. 3.33 cummulative grade point average overall in all coursework
  4. Complete 10 Colloquium requirement
  5. Enroll in C SC695A (during third semester)
  6. Enroll twice in C SC695C and receive grdes of at least one Pass (P) and one Superior (S) by the fourth semester. The student must also successfully present the reseach conducted in C SC695C in a colloquium setting by the end of their fourth semester in the department.
  7. Complete and pass the series of Ph.D. exams
    (Qualifying Exam, Comprehensive Exam, Final Defense)
  8. Complete needed number of units required for degree
    (63-66 units minimum):
    6 core classes, 2 600 level, 2 electives, 2 599 or 695C classes, 695A and attend 10 Colloquia, 9 internal or 12 external minor units, and 18 dissertation units

Form Requirements

To graduate you must have filed a series of forms with Graduate College. Pay attention to the deadlines for the semester for the last day you may submit these forms and take the exam.

  1. Ph.D. Plan of Study: To be submitted during last semester of coursework. Please fill it out online, have your faculty advisor sign it and then bring it to the Graduate Advisor.
  2. When ready to take your Oral Comprehensive Exam, fill out the "Application for Oral Comprehensive Examination for Doctoral Candidacy" through the Graduate College Website. Route signed form to the Graduate Advisor for submission to Grad College.
  3. File with Graduate College a "Committee Appointment Form" (formerly called Adancement to Candidacy)immediately after successfully passing your Oral Comprehensive Exam.
  4. When you are ready to set the date for your final defense, file an "Announcement of Final Oral Examination" with Graduate College. As with all forms, fill out online at Graduate College and bring final form to the Graduate Advisor for submission to Grad College.
  5. Verify via Studentlink the address you want your diploma to be sent.