Curriculum
The Doctor of Philosophy degree requires a minimum of 64 credit hours beyond the master's degree or 96 credit hours beyond the bachelor's degree. Approximately two years of course work and an original research dissertation on a subject approved by the candidate's advisory committee are also required. Credit distribution and required examinations in the program are listed below. In addition to completing the basic program, each Ph.D. student must demonstrate proficiencies appropriate to the chosen area of study that may require additional course work. Additional courses may include technical writing, language, or courses in other areas of deficiency identified by the graduate committee, the student's initial advisor, and the advisory committee.

In order to enter candidacy, the student must demonstrate to the graduate and advisory committees that he or she has exhibited academic and professional competence to accomplish the dissertation research and that the proposed dissertation is academically sound and professionally pertinent. Although acceptance of the dissertation is based primarily on its scholarly merit, it must also exhibit credible literary workmanship.

Doctor of Philosophy

Second Semester
Selection of Committee Chair
The chair of your committee must hold a graduate faculty appointment with the Department of Architecture.

It is advisable that a Committee Chair be identified during the second semester. This person will be a major contributor to the intellectual tone of your work. Make sure that you are aware of her or his publications/creative work and the work of the former students.

It is often the case that the appointed advisor becomes the committee chair. However, this is not the rule. If a change needs to be made, it should take the place early in the student's tenure.

Committee Selection
Your committee is composed of the Committee Chair and no fewer that three other members chosen from the graduate faculty of the University. At least one faculty member of your committee must be from outside the Department of Architecture.

Identify faculty members during the first, second, and third semester who have special interest or capabilities that will support your intended dissertation topic. Creation of an interdisciplinary faculty is encouraged.

Third Semester
Qualifying Exam
The qualifying exam is offered in the 10th week of the Fall and the Spring semester of each academic year (it can not be taken in the summer).

You may take the qualifying exam as soon as the 10th week of the second semester; however, most students take it in the 10th week of the third semester. The student must have completed all 12 credits of core course, or be completing the final course work of core credits, in order to take the examination.

The qualifying examination is administered by the Department of Architecture Graduate Instruction Committee. The intent of the examination is to require students to demonstrate their ability and readiness to carry out and present an investigation of an original body of work.

The examination consists of a brief description of the area of inquiry in which the student is engaged, a demonstration of a mastery of methodologies and interpretations appropriate to the particular inquiry, and a demonstration of the knowledge of underlying assumptions embedded in the inquiry.

Fourth Semester
Preliminary Exam
The preliminary exam may be taken as soon as the third semester; however, most students take it during the fourth semester or later. The preliminary examination is given no later than the end of the first semester after completion of formal course work on the degree plan (except 691 research hours ...see catalogue).

The preliminary examination includes both a written and an oral section. The written part of the examination will cover all fields of study included in the student's degree plan. The student's Advisory committee is responsible for the design and administration of the examination.