Breadcrumb
This checklist is meant to be used as a supplement to information obtained from the University Catalog and the graduate program, and as an aid to meeting Graduate School requirements for the doctoral degree. The graduate program should be consulted about specific additional requirements.
Pre-Candidacy (Early and mid-way through your degree program)
Transfer of credit minimum requirements:
- The transfer of credit limit is 21 credits for doctoral degrees.
- Courses must have been taken at an accredited institution with a grade of B or better.
- Transfer work that is five years old or more at the time of transfer must be evaluated by the major department as to current relevance and applicability to degree requirements.
- Courses may not have been used toward a bachelor's degree, toward another degree of the same level, or from a doctoral degree to a subsequent master's degree. See the back of the form for further transfer of credit rules.
Post-Candidacy
After passing the comprehensive exam a PhD student is required to be continuously registered each fall and spring semester through the semester of the dissertation defense. The registration requirement is full-time (5 dissertation hours) or part-time status (3 dissertation hours). The semester of the defense full-time registration is required.
The DMA continuous registration requirement is enrollment in dissertation credits having the course number 8200-8399 or TMUS 8029 through the semester in which the final examination is completed. AuD students should register for appropriate coursework/internship credits and full time registration is required during the semester of the final examination.
A student who does not register continuously for required hours after passing the comprehensive examination may be required to retake and pass the examination. If you have questions or concerns, check in with your graduate program.
Degree Award
The defense should be scheduled with the Graduate School by submitting a Doctoral Examination Report at least two weeks in advance. The defense committee is comprised of a minimum of 5 members who must have current graduate faculty appointments. Three of the members must be Boulder campus resident faculty. The chair and outside member should both have a regular or tenured appointment. The other 3 members can have either a regular or special appointment. To pass the defense the student must have the affirmative vote of at least four of the committee members.
A student must be registered full-time for a minimum of five dissertation hours during the semester of the defense. The 30 dissertation hour requirement must be met at the time the defense is scheduled. If you are an international student in F-1 or J-1 status, ask an advisor in International Student and Scholar Services about immigration requirements for the semester following the defense. Students may review their dissertation hours by referring to their unofficial transcript which is available on line.
Additional Information
Graduate students who need to leave school for 1-2 semesters may participate in the Leave of Absence Program (details available in the Registrar’s Office). Doctoral students who have passed their comprehensive exam are not normally eligible for Leave of Absence because of the continuous enrollment requirement. Parental leave is an exception. To request any other exception because of extenuating circumstances a petition to the Dean of the Graduate School should be submitted. Students who do not register for a semester or apply for Leave of Absence will automatically be withdrawn from the University and will need to reapply for readmission. Students who withdraw from school permanently must do so formally with the Registrar’s Office.
If you are an international student and plan to participate in Leave of Absence or withdraw from school, please see an advisor at International Student and Scholar Services.