Doctoral Degrees

5.1 Objective of the Doctoral Program

“The doctoral program is designed to prepare a student for a lifetime of intellectual inquiry that manifests itself in creative scholarship and research, often leading to careers in social, governmental, business, and industrial organizations as well as the more traditional careers in university and college teaching. The program emphasizes freedom of inquiry and expression and development of the student’s capacity to make significant contributions to knowledge. An essential element is the development of the ability to understand and evaluate critically the literature of the field and to apply appropriate principles and procedures to the recognition, evaluation, interpretation, and understanding of issues and problems at the frontiers of knowledge. All of this is most effectively accomplished in close association with those experienced in research and teaching.

A central purpose of doctoral programs is the extension of knowledge, but this cannot be accomplished on all fronts simultaneously. Students must choose an area in which to specialize or a professor with whom to work. Individualized programs of study are then developed and committee members are selected. When all courses have been taken, the research finished, the dissertation written, and all examinations passed, the student will have acquired the knowledge and skills expected of a scholar and will have extended knowledge in the field.” (The Council of Graduate Schools in the United States, October 1977)

5.2 Academic Residence Requirements

The period of study for the Doctor of Philosophy, Doctor of Arts and Doctor of Education degrees is at least three years (six semesters) beyond the baccalaureate degree. For students without a master’s degree, at least two of these three years shall be in residence at Washington State University (enrolled full time and present on a campus where a given program has received approval to grant residency). For students with a master’s degree, at least one of these three years shall be in residence at Washington State University (enrolled full time and present on a campus where a given program has received approval to grant residency).

For the Doctor of Education, at least two of the three years beyond the baccalaureate shall be in residence at Washington State University, including a minimum of four semesters, with at least one summer session and one semester being contiguous, when the student is enrolled full time and present on the Pullman campus. Full time enrollment for four summer sessions may be substituted for two academic year semesters. Summer session cannot be substituted for the semester contiguous with a summer session requirement for the doctoral degree.

5.3 Conditions of Academic Residence

The conditions specified below are the criteria that must be met in order for doctoral students to satisfy residency requirements. The criteria apply to doctoral degrees offered by Washington State University and are not directed toward a specific campus. These criteria are considered the minimum necessary to offer doctoral program residency and apply to doctoral programs at WSU Pullman initially (the currently approved location for doctoral degrees) and, as appropriate, may be extended to other campuses (approved alternative sites). Satisfying residency requirements is subject to approval by the degree-granting unit, the Graduate Studies Committee, and the Graduate School.

1. Critical mass of faculty engaged in research and scholarly productivity. (Critical mass [n+3] in a single or related programs at a campus, minimum of 5 graduate faculty system-wide, availability of additional graduate faculty [including adjunct] in related disciplines). The critical mass [n+3] refers to three full time graduate faculty members.
2. Graduate research library.(Access to discipline-specific research collection in library facilities on campus as well as access to library facilities at other institutions; additional access through electronic access and remote lending services but not as the primary source for library materials.)*
3. Critical mass of students pursuing doctoral degrees. (Average of 3 doctoral students per year enrolled full time at one campus in the same program.) Regular contact with other doctoral students (in other programs and other locations).
4. Sufficient laboratories and research facilities, including computer facilities. (Combination of WSU facilities and access to other facilities as necessary.)*
5. Availability of financial support for full time study (e.g., TA's/RA's).(Implies student's primary commitment is to graduate study).
6. Opportunity for doctoral students to teach and conduct research with graduate faculty.
7. Access to and interaction with chair and members of the doctoral committee on regular basis; contact with other faculty.
8. Access to all required core courses and doctoral level course work.
9. Access to and participation in both formal and informal seminars and colloquia (WSU and non-WSU sponsored activities).
10. Adequate support services, including a Graduate Coordinator, a Graduate Secretary, admissions, advising, etc., at the location of residency.

*Formalized written agreements to ensure access and availability

5.4 Doctoral Committee

5.4.1 Committee Members

The doctoral committee must include a chair and at least two other permanent tenure-track faculty members with the advisor serving as chair of the committee. An additional member who holds the highest appropriate degree and whose special knowledge is particularly important to the proposed program, but who is not a member of the faculty, may be appointed to the committee and shall vote. At least one faculty member of the committee must be from the minor department/program if a minor is declared on the doctoral program. When no minor is declared, no outside member is required. However, when outside supporting work is included in the program, an outside member is recommended.

The doctoral committee is subject to approval by the Chair of the major and minor (if applicable) departments/programs and the Dean of the Graduate School. This committee, once approved, has the responsibility of directing the student’s progress, supervising the dissertation, and participating in the preliminary and final examinations. Other faculty members of the major and minor departments/programs may participate in the preliminary examination and any faculty member may participate in the final examination.

5.4.2 Committee Chair

The chair of a doctoral committee must be permanent tenure-track faculty and hold a graduate doctoral degree comparable to the degree sought by the candidate; by special action however, the Graduate Studies Committee may make individual exceptions on the bases of adequate justification.

5.4.3 Committee Changes

Changes may be made by the committee by completing the committee change form.

5.5 Doctoral Program of Study

The following description of program requirements represents minimum requirements; individual departments/programs may have special additional requirements, or may require that individual students complete course work or research beyond these levels. All work taken by graduate students need not appear on their programs.

Prior approval for use of human subjects or animals in research is required. If the student plans to utilize human or animal subjects for research, please contact either the Office of Grant and Research Development or the Laboratory Animal Resources Center. Please note that departments/programs should ensure that all procedures have been followed and forms filed with the appropriate offices; they can also determine the appropriateness of such narrative within the dissertation. The Graduate School requires verification that University approval has been granted.

The Doctoral program of study must be submitted on forms provided by the Graduate School no later than the end of the first year of the student’s post-master’s graduate work. If a master’s degree has not been previously earned, the program should be submitted no later than the end of the third semester of graduate work.

Preparation of the program is the responsibility of the student, the advisor, and the doctoral committee. Degree-granting units are autonomous in matters relating to the requirements for a minor (or minors) for each one of their doctoral students, including the option of not requiring a minor.

5.5.1 Core Requirements
The core of the program must include a minimum of 34 semester hours of graded course work beyond the bachelor’s degree for the Doctor of Philosophy degree and 42 semester hours for the Doctor of Education degree. It should include the most advanced courses appropriate to the field of study listed in the Graduate Catalog or approved for graduate credit since publication of the last Catalog. Of the minimum number of hours required on the program of study (34 or 42), up to 9 credits of non-graduate credit graded course work may be used.

Seminars numbered 500 or above which are graded other than P/F or S/F may be part of the core program. Courses graded S/F may not be used in the core program. Only those master’s degree and transfer courses at a level equivalent to 500-level courses, and applicable to the doctoral core program, should be listed in this category.

Any course included in the advanced degree program in which a grade of “C-“ or below is earned must be repeated but not on a pass/fail basis.

5.5.2. Research and Additional Studies
In addition to the core requirements, the program shall show research and additional course work. Credit in this category, plus that in the core program, must total at least 72 hours. A minimum of 20 hours of 800 credit is required. Unless otherwise specified, special projects and problems and seminars may be included in this category if they are taken at Washington State University.

The doctoral program may not include courses graded P/F or courses taken as audit.

5.5.3 Summary of Doctoral Program of Study Requirements

Program of Study for Ph.D.

• 72 hours minimum total credits
• 34 hours minimum from graded courses
• 20 hours minimum 800-level research credits
• 9 hours maximum of non-graduate courses
• courses for audit may not be used for the program of study

Program of Study of Ed.D

• 72 hours minimum total credits
• 42 hours minimum from graduate approved graded courses
• 20 hours minimum 800-level research credits
• 9 hours maximum of non-graduate courses
• courses for audit may not be used for the program of study

5.5.4 Course Time Limits
The time limit for use of graduate credit toward a doctoral degree is ten years from the beginning date of the earliest course applied toward the degree. The Graduate School recognizes that part-time students may require a longer completion period. As appropriate, departments may request an extension of this time limit.

5.5.5 Approval of Doctoral Program of Study
The program for the doctoral degree should be submitted to the chair of the major degree-granting unit, the chair of the minor department/program, if applicable, and then to the Graduate School for approval. Once approved, the program becomes a part of the requirements for the degree. Subsequent amendments may be made by submission of a Change of Program Form (available on-line or from the Graduate School office) with the endorsement of the doctoral committee, the approval of the chair of the major department/program and the chairperson of the minor department/program (if a change in the minor is involved), and the approval of the Dean of the Graduate School.

 

5.6 Preliminary Doctoral Examination

The preliminary doctoral examination is designed to determine the fitness of the student for pursuing a doctoral program in the field in which a degree is desired. The examination is intended to cover both major and minor disciplines (if a minor is declared). The major examination may be written or oral or both, at the discretion of the major department/program. The minor examination (when applicable) may be written or oral or both, or may be waived, at the discretion of the minor department/program. When the minor examination is waived, the member of the committee from the minor department/program shall vote with the major department/program. The minor department/program is notified if the student has less than a 3.0 grade point average on the student’s minor work when the minor examination has been waived.

A preliminary examination is required of each doctoral student for advancement to candidacy for the doctoral degree. The student is responsible for scheduling the preliminary examination. It may be scheduled using the Preliminary Examination Scheduling form, only after department/program requirements have been satisfied, after the program has been approved, after a substantial portion of the required course work has been completed, and when the student or committee chair believe the student is prepared for the examination. The student must be registered for a minimum of two hours of 800 as a regular graduate student at the beginning of the semester or summer session in which the preliminary examination is to be taken, and have at least a 3.0 cumulative grade point average and a 3.0 grade point average or higher on the program courses already taken before the preliminary examination may be scheduled. The preliminary examination must be scheduled with the Graduate School at least 10 working days before the examination is held.

All members of the doctoral committee must be present at the examination or ballot meeting, and all must vote. Any other members of the faculty from the major department/program or minor department/program (unless the minor department/program has waived the examination) may be present and may vote. At the discretion of the major department/program chair, members of the faculty from other departments/programs and faculty members from the major and minor departments/programs may be present, may ask questions, but shall not vote. All faculty wishing to vote must be in attendance during all of the examination. If a faculty member wishing to vote must leave the room during the examination, the examination is to be recessed until said member returns.

The content and conduct of a preliminary examination is the responsibility of the faculty of the degree-granting unit and should be administered by the chair of that unit or someone delegated by the chair. The chair shall be responsible for conducting a fair and searching examination and for affording a reasonable opportunity during the oral portion for all examiners to question the student. There is no time limit for either the written or oral, but all aspects of the examination must be completed within 30 days from the beginning.

At the conclusion of the oral or at the ballot meeting, if only a written examination is given, the candidate’s total performance on the examination should be discussed and ballots cast on the basis of the entire examination. The candidate shall pass if a minimum of three-fourths of those voting so indicate. (See Table 3.)

In the event of a failed examination, a student may be re-examined for a second and final attempt only at the request of the department/program that previously voted to fail the student and with approval of the major department/program. Departments/programs which previously passed the student may re-examine or waive the right to do so. At least three months must lapse between a failed examination and a re-examination. A member of the Graduate Mentor Academy will be appointed by the Graduate School and must be present for a re-examination. The entire committee must be present and vote. A student who has failed a preliminary examination does not have an automatic right to a second examination. A student who has failed two preliminary examinations may not become a candidate for the doctorate and the student’s enrollment in the Graduate School will be terminated.

A minimum of four months must elapse between the successful completion of a preliminary examination and the scheduling of a final examination.

5.7 Time Limits for Completion of Doctoral Degree

The time limit for use of graduate credit toward a doctoral degree is ten years from the beginning date of the earliest course applied toward the degree. The Graduate School recognizes that part-time students may require a longer completion period. As appropriate, departments may request an extension of this time limit. (see 6.4 for Extension Procedures)

Each program for a doctoral degree is considered individually. In most cases, the requirements for the degree should be completed within three years of the date of satisfactory completion of preliminary examination. A signed letter from the Graduate Studies Committee chair, outlining a definitive plan for completion, will be sent to those requesting extensions. Fourth extensions will not be granted without submission of a completed dissertation. For unusual cases, the expected date of completion of requirements for the doctoral degree can be set at the time of preliminary examination with the approval of the Dean of the Graduate School. At least four months must elapse between preliminary and final examinations for doctoral degrees.

A doctoral candidate wishing to participate in the commencement ceremony must complete and be cleared of all program requirements by the Wednesday preceding the commencement ceremony.

5.8 Doctoral Dissertation

All doctoral programs require that a candidate prepare a dissertation. The dissertation is a scholarly, original study that represents a significant contribution to the knowledge of the chosen discipline. The student must enroll for research (800). No material in the dissertation may be restricted in any way; the dissertation must be made available through the Washington State Libraries and University Microfilms for inspection by any interested parties.

The doctoral committee is responsible for ensuring that the student has followed an appropriate format and that the content is acceptable. The graduate committee members must read and return drafts of dissertations to the student within a reasonable period of time. The Graduate Studies Committee recommends that committee members hold drafts for no longer than 30 days. A description of the requirements for final acceptance of the dissertation is contained in the Thesis/Dissertation Guidelines. If copyrighted material is included in the dissertation, written permission must be obtained from the copyright owner to reproduce the material in the dissertation. Such written permission must be submitted to the Graduate School at final acceptance. Washington State University participates in the University Microfilm program. The University will submit all dissertations to University Microfilms upon acceptance.

Following a passed oral examination, one 100% rag bond dissertation and one copy of the dissertation must be signed in black ink by all committee members and returned to the Graduate School within five working days for final acceptance. When dissertations are electronically submitted to the Graduate School, paper copies of the title page, abstract and signature pages are still required. Specific steps for final acceptance are listed in the Final Examination Scheduling Form packet.

5.9 Scheduling the Final Doctoral Examination

The completed Final Examination Scheduling Form must be submitted to the Graduate School at least 10 working days in advance of the examination date. It is necessary to present a typed draft copy of the dissertation that is complete in format at the time of scheduling. The examination must be scheduled at least four months, but less than three years, after satisfactory completion of the preliminary examination.

The Final Examination Scheduling Form is to be signed by all members of the student’s committee; committee signatures verify that a typed or electronic copy of the dissertation, suitable in format and content for submission to the library, has been given preliminary approval. Responsibility (including financial) for changes in format after the Dissertation Acceptance/Final Examination scheduling form is signed rests with the department/program rather than with the student. Content changes are always the responsibility of the student. An Application for Degree form must be submitted to the Graduate School before a final examination may be scheduled.

The microfilm fee and the graduation fee must be paid by the time the final exam is scheduled. The Graduate School will schedule the student’s final examination upon receipt of the completed Final Examination Scheduling Form and a properly formatted, typed copy of the dissertation which will be returned to the student. All final oral examinations will be publicly announced by the Graduate School in the appropriate campus-wide publication. A copy of the dissertation must be available for public inspection in the department/program/campus for at least 5 working days prior to the final examination.

5.10 Final Doctoral Examination

A candidate for a doctorate degree must pass a final oral examination that primarily shall be a defense of the dissertation but may cover the general fields of knowledge pertinent to the degree. The student must register for the required number (minimum two hours) of 800 credit at the beginning of the semester or summer session in which the final examination is to be taken. Final examinations will include discussion of the completed dissertation (which is suitable in format and content for submission to the library). Under extraordinary circumstances, on the recommendation of the student’s committee and upon the advice of the Graduate Studies Committee, the Dean of the Graduate School may approve alternative arrangements.

The candidate’s committee is responsible for approving all aspects of the final dissertation before students may schedule the final examination. When committee members sign the Dissertation Acceptance/Final Examination scheduling form, they indicate that a typed (or electronic) dissertation, suitable in format and content for submission to the Library has been given their approval; they also indicate their acceptance of the date, time, and place of the final examination. Examinations are to be held in an academic environment. Final examinations shall be held during regular working hours either on the Pullman campus or scheduling over WHETS. Examinations will be held only during academic sessions. Exceptions to this policy will be made by the Dean of the Graduate School only under unusual circumstances.

The examining committee shall include the doctoral committee and any other members of the faculty in attendance. The chair of the student’s committee will chair the final examination and be responsible for its conduct.

A member of the student’s committee will be appointed by the Graduate School to serve as the Graduate School liaison regarding balloting, etc. Where possible, the Graduate School will strive to appoint a liaison from the student’s committee who is outside the student’s department or college. Please keep this in mind when filing doctoral programs of study, and attempt to include a member on the student’s committee who is outside your department/college. A student, Department Chair, committee member, or any other concerned party may request that the Graduate School provide an independent observer to be present at preliminary or final oral defense. This request will be held confidential. All such requests will be fulfilled by drawing upon a group of faculty, designated as the Graduate Mentor Academy, that has agreed to serve in this role and has received training to do so. All repeat examinations or defenses will have such an independent, outside representative.

All final examinations are public, and all faculty members, regardless of discipline, are particularly encouraged to attend those of interest to them. Although any member of the public at large may attend final examinations, only faculty members may ask questions and vote. All members of the doctoral committee must attend and vote. All faculty wishing to vote must be in attendance during all of the examination. If a faculty member wishing to vote must leave the room during the examination, the examination is to be recessed until said member returns.

The final doctoral examination is normally limited to two hours and should not exceed two and one-half hours. There is no separation into major and minor fields; all examiners vote on the total examination. The candidate shall pass if a minimum of three-fourths of those voting so indicate.

(See Table 3 below.) In the event of a failed final examination, a second and last attempt may be scheduled at the request of the major department/program after a lapse of at least three months.

Table 3: Doctoral Preliminary and Final Exam

5.11 Second Doctoral Degree
Applicants holding a doctoral degree or having completed all requirements for the doctoral degree may be admitted to a second doctoral program at Washington State University under the following conditions and with the following provisions governing enrollment and academic program:

1. If the applicant is admissible to the Graduate School and to a doctoral program in the department/program to which he/she is applying and explanations for seeking a second doctorate are acceptable to the department/program, the applicant may be admitted as a regular Class 6 student in the doctoral program of his/her choice.
2. While the process outlined in “1” above is underway, the applicant may apply for admission as a Class 6-0 student (not a degree candidate) in the department/program to which he/she is applying for doctoral studies. If accepted by the Graduate School and the department/program concerned, the applicant may enroll as a Class 6-0 student without the usual restrictions controlling transfer of credit from Class 6-0 to Class 6 status. The applicant for a second doctoral program who accepts Class 6-0 status should understand that this is not merely a formality prior to admission to a doctoral program. Class 6-0 status admission in no way implies ultimate admission to a doctoral program.
3. The Policies and Procedures of the Graduate School will govern the enrollment and programs of all students studying for the second doctorate. No exceptional arrangements will be made with respect to residence requirements. There will be a special requirement that 17 credits of the 34 minimum credit core requirements must be taken at Washington State University. Second doctoral degree students (Class 6) will be eligible for appointment as teaching and research assistants for a maximum of two academic years and two summer sessions.