1. Course requirements (21 credit hours minimum):

• GEOG 801 - Contemporary Approaches to Geography| (3 cr)
• Technical Proficiency  — This is demonstrated by completion of a 700 or above level techniques course, appropriate to the student’s specialization and dissertation topic and with advisor approval. (3 cr)
• 800-level advanced seminar in specialization (3 cr)
• Additional courses at the graduate level including at least one course outside of geography (12 cr)

* Note: Students should be aware when selecting courses in their program of study that at least one-half of the hours must be at the 700-level or above.

2. Dissertation preparation (12 credit hours)

• GEOG 899 - Dissertation Preparation|

3. Adherence to Graduate School residency requirements

4. Admission to candidacy (Graduate School requirement)

Three conditions must be met: a) full admission to the doctoral program; b) approval of doctoral program of study; c) qualifying exam. The qualifying exam consists of the successful completion of GEOG 801, GEOG 531 or its equivalent, and the advanced training in a technique course (see section 1 above), with a grade of B or better. The admission to candidacy should normally be completed within the first year of residence.

5. Comprehensive exam

The comprehensive examination consists of a written exam, the written Ph.D. proposal, and its oral defense. The examination is administered by the four member examination committee, including one member from outside the major department. The written exams are administered by the major professor with input from each committee member. The dissertation proposal must be of the  highest quality and commensurate with a proposal competitive for funding from nationally-recogni/ed funding sources. The proposal  defense and written comprehensive exams must occur within 90 days of each other. Normally the comprehensive exam occurs by the fourth semester.

6 Dissertation research

Upon the successful completion of the comprehensive exam (including the proposal defense) the student is eligible to register for

7. Dissertation defense

The dissertation research is presented in a public doctoral lecture, followed by a defense before the examination committee, consisting of four members, one of whom must be from outside the department.

8. Teaching experience (either as the instructor of record or a teaching assistant)

9. Participation in Departmental Colloquia Series as a Presenter