2. PhD Program Overview

2.1 - Structure & Timeline

The PhD program is designed to be completed in four to five years for full-time students. Part-time students or those entering with only a bachelor's degree may require additional time.

The program must be completed within ten years from the date of initial enrollment unless an extension is approved. The ten-year time limit begins with the starting date of the first semester of coursework in a PhD student’s program of study and runs continuously until December 31 ten years later.

2.2 - Residency Requirements

The purpose of a residency period is to provide doctoral students with significant time for sustained contact with faculty members. Such continuity is deemed essential to preparation for professional success as well as socialization into the academic community.

To fulfill the residency requirement, students must:

• Complete at least 30 credit hours of doctoral coursework (excluding dissertation hours) at the University of Memphis.
• Enroll as a full-time student every Fall and Spring semester from the start of the program until Full-time status depends on whether the student is early stage or late stage.
  • Early-stage students: at least 9 credit hours each Spring and Fall
  • Late-stage students: at least 1 dissertation credit hour each Spring and Fall