Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. My GRE score is below the score mentioned on the Ph.D. website. Could I still be accepted into the Ph.D. program?
Admission decisions are based on the suitability of the applicant along different criteria including GPA in previous degrees, standardized test scores, scholarly publications and their quality, alignment of research interests with ongoing faculty research, etc. Deficiency on any one of these criteria, e.g., the GRE score might be compensated by a demonstration of outstanding achievements in one or more of the remaining criteria.
All applicants to the Ph.D. program are required to have a valid GRE score to be considered for admission.
Q2. I am an international student but my TOEFL score has expired or I never wrote TOEFL. Could I still apply?
Email UNO's office of international studies to discuss your case.
Q3. I have just completed my undergraduate degree but do not have any academic publications. Could I still be accepted into the Ph.D. program?
Strong applications provide evidence of prior engagement in research activities. High-quality scholarly publications are one way to demonstrate research potential, and most admitted students have one or more prior publications. If you ultimately want to pursue a PhD but did not have substantive research experiences during your undergraduate studies, we strongly recommend that you consider one of UNO's excellent master's degree programs to help you build these skills prior to applying to the doctoral program.
Q4. Are part-time students admitted into the Ph.D. program?
A limited number of part-time students with demonstrated research potential and excellent academic background may be admitted into the program.
Q5. Can I get my Ph.D. degree online? Can I take all my courses online?
All Ph.D. students, full-time or part-time, have to be resident students and take courses by attending class lectures and do research under their supervisor/advisor. We do not offer doctoral degree completion via online learning.
Q6. Can I send application materials via email for review either prior to or after submitting my application online?
The doctoral program committee will not review any application materials received outside the official UNO admission system, including letters of recommendation. Please submit all your materials through our ApplyWeb portal.
Q7. Can I discuss my research interests with potential faculty advisors prior to applying?
Sure! We strongly encourage applicants to discuss their interests with faculty members doing work in that area prior to applying. In fact, during the application process, you will need to tell us which faculty members you are interested in working with and why. To find contact information and research interests for our current faculty members, visit our college faculty directory.
Q8. Can I take internships while a PhD student?
Students may take internships with external organizations with approval of their faculty advisor, provided that the position directly contributes to the student's growth and development in the doctoral program. Faculty advisors should document their approval of the position and how it contributes to the student's growth in a letter to the DPC prior to the position's start date. For students who have attained candidacy, it is expected that the letter will explicitly address how the internship relates to the ongoing dissertation research. If taken, graduate internship credits may not be used to satisfy any requirements in the doctoral plan of study.