Doctoral Degree - Residency Requirements

 

Residency

A residency requirement has been established for the purpose of ensuring that the doctoral program be reasonably compact, continuous, and coherent; and that a substantial portion be in fact done at and under close supervision by the university. The residency requirement is part of the student's approved program.

An exceptional circumstances, where it is clear that the purpose of residency will be fulfilled although the formal conditions are not met, the student's supervisory committee may, with the approval of the Dean for Graduate Studies, designate an alternative procedure for satisfying the residency requirements.

Doctor of Philosophy in Criminal Justice or Information Technology

  • For a student beginning a doctoral program in the University of Nebraska System with a bachelor's degree , the residency requirement for the Ph.D. is 27 hours of graduate work within a consecutive 18-month period or less, with the further provision that 15 of these hours must be taken after receiving the master's degree or its equivalent.

  • For a student who transfers to the University of Nebraska system with a master's degree from another institution, or who takes a break in his/her graduate work between the time the master's degree is awarded and the time he/she starts work on a doctoral program , the residency requirement for the Ph.D. is 27 hours of graduate work in a consecutive 18-month period or less.

  • For a member of the University staff who is engaged at least half time in instruction or research in his/her major area, or a person employed in his/her major field , the residency requirement is 24 hours of graduate work within a consecutive two year period with the further provision that he/she take at least 12 of these after receiving the master's degree or its equivalent.

  • Not more than one-third of the work for residency or nine credit hours may be taken during the summer sessions.

Doctor of Education and Doctor of Philosophy in Public Administration

  • The residency requirement for doctoral students in Educational Administration and Public Administration is 24 hours in 24 months. The supervisory committee may determine how many of the required residency hours may be taken during the summer sessions.