Doctoral Degree Requirements

 

  1. Appointment of the Supervisory Committee

The committee is appointed by the Dean for Graduate Studies based upon recommendation of the Graduate Program Committee in the student's major prior to the approval of the program of study. The establishing of a supervisory committee is based on the student's:

  • Demonstrated ability in the fundamental subject matter of his/her major field, and

  • Professional promise.

The supervisory committee consists of at least four Graduate Faculty, one of whom must be from outside the student's academic department/school or area in which the doctorate is to be granted. The chair of the supervisory committee must be a member of the Graduate Faculty. In addition to the minimum of four Graduate Faculty, other eligible persons may be recommended by the Graduate Program Committee for appointment by the Dean to the supervisory committee, provided that at least two-thirds of the membership of each supervisory committee shall be Graduate Faculty.


If the chair of a supervisory committee leaves the employ of the University, or retires, the Office of Graduate Studies must be notified immediately and a change in the supervisory committee made as follows:

  • If the student has already achieved Candidacy, the former chair who has left the employ of the University may be permitted to continue as co-chair of the supervisory committee, with the concurrence of the departmental/school Graduate Program Committee and the UNO Dean for Graduate Studies. A second co-chair must be appointed who is a resident Graduate Faculty.
  • If the student has not yet achieved Candidacy, a new chair of the supervisory committee who is a resident Graduate Faculty must be appointed immediately, with the concurrence of the departmental/school Graduate Program Committee and the UNO Dean for Graduate Studies.


If a member of the supervisory committee other than the chair leaves the employ of the University, or retires, a replacement should normally be appointed who is a resident Graduate Faculty. In certain circumstances where a special and needed continuing expertise is involved and the staff member is willing to continue serving, he/she may continue as a member of the supervisory committee, with the approval of the departmental/school Graduate Committee and the UNO Dean for Graduate Studies.

  1. Program of Study for Doctoral Degree

Within three weeks of its appointment the committee will meet to designate and subsequently file in the Office of Graduate Studies a complete program of studies, including any language or research tool requirements (if applicable), and reading committee. The reading committee consists of two members from the supervisory committee, excluding the chair of the committee. Generally, courses taken before admission to the doctoral program cannot be included in the Doctoral Requirements section (page 3) of the program of study form. At least 45 hours of the student's doctoral course work is to be completed after the approval of the program of study. Any subsequent change in the program is approved by the supervisory committee and the Dean for Graduate Studies.

 

  1. Comprehensive Examination and Admission to Candidacy

Doctor of Philosophy

When a student has substantially completed studies in the program, he/she must pass a written comprehensive examination. The written comprehensive examination is not a repetition of course examinations but is an investigation of the student's breadth of understanding of the field of knowledge of which his/her special subject is a part. The student will also be required to pass an oral comprehensive examination.

The supervisory committee arranges for written or oral examinations. As soon as possible after passing those examinations, the committee convenes and reports to the Office of Graduate Studies the results of those examinations and the specific area of research for the dissertation and progress to date. Should the student fail the comprehensive examination, he/she may attempt another examination or a part thereof, during the following academic term upon specific recommendation by the supervisory committee.

 

Doctor of Education

When the applicant's program of courses is substantially completed, comprehensive examinations covering the appropriate field of study and related subjects will be administered. These examinations will thoroughly test for an understanding of the field of knowledge designated by the student. If an applicant fails the comprehensive examination, another attempt to pass such examination may not be made in the same academic term. When the Ph.D. or Ed.D. student has passed the comprehensive examination, the committee will recommend to the Office of Graduate Studies his/her admission to Candidacy for the doctoral degree, noting in that recommendation the dates of completing the comprehensive examination. Such a report must be filed at least seven months prior to the final oral examination. A student is formally recognized as a Candidate as of the date of completing the comprehensive examination. If the term of Candidacy is extended beyond three years (excluding summer terms), the Candidate must pass another comprehensive examination. Following admission to Candidacy the student must register during each academic year semester until he/she receives the Ph.D. or Ed.D. degree. Students not in residence may register for a minimum of one semester hour credit in dissertation. Failure to register during each academic year semester will result in termination of the Candidacy.

  1. Final Examination

The final examination is oral. It is given by the supervisory committee after the Candidate's studies have been completed and the dissertation accepted for examination. The committee also determines its character and length. The examination may be devoted to the special field of the dissertation or to the Candidate's general knowledge, or it may be designed to test judgment and critical powers.


The final oral examination will not be scheduled unless the chair of the supervisory committee and at least two other members of the committee are available for the examination. Exceptions may be made only by permission of the Dean for Graduate Studies. In any event, the supervisor of the dissertation must have seen and approved the completed dissertation for examination before the final oral examination will be scheduled.

The final oral examination over the dissertation may be waived only with the unanimous consent of the supervisory committee and only in extremely unusual circumstances. The committee reports the results of the final oral examination or the reason for its waiver to the Office of Graduate Studies.

In the event that members of an oral examining committee are not unanimous regarding the passing of a Candidate, the student is to be approved for the degree if only one examiner dissents. However, in each case, the dissenting member of the committee will be expected to file a letter of explanation in the Office of Graduate Studies.

If a student fails to pass the final oral examination for an advanced degree, his/her committee must file a report on the failure in the Office of Graduate Studies and indicate what the student must do before taking another examination. Another examination may not be held during the same term in which the student failed.

 

Doctor of Education - The final examination is oral. It is given by the supervisory committee after the Candidate's studies have been completed and the dissertation accepted for examination by the reading committee. The supervisory committee determines the character and duration of the examination. The examination may be devoted to the special field of the dissertation or to the Candidate's general professional knowledge, or to test judgment and critical powers, or to all three of these. Only in extremely unusal circumstances and with the unanimous consent of the supervisory committee may the final oral examination be waived. The committee reports the results of the final oral examination or the reason for its waiver to the Office of Graduate Studies.

 

  1. Application for Degree
  1. You must complete an Application for Degree during the semester in which you plan to graduate. Log into E-BRUNO and fill out the application on or before the deadline for that Graduation Ceremony.

  2. There is a $25.00 Application for Degree Fee payable at the time the application is submitted.

  3. After applying for your degree, you should visit the UNO Bookstore as soon as possible to order your cap and gown and graduation announcements. Deadlines to order various items will differ depending on the ceremony in which you plan to participate. Please contact the Bookstore at (402) 554-2336 with any questions.

  4. Students have 15 working days after the commencement ceremony to complete all degree requirements . Diplomas will be mailed as soon as possible after the 15 working days have passed. Please be sure all holds are cleared and that the address listed on the degree application is correct as this is where your diploma will be mailed.

  5. Please contact the Registrar's Office, (402) 554-2314, with additional questions.