Grad Policies: Ph.D. Academic Residency

You must be in academic residence for at least 4 semesters to qualify for a Ph.D. In order for a semester to count as one in academic residence, you must enroll for at least 4 units of 100+ or 200+ level courses. (These 4 units do not necessarily satisfy the requirements for full-time study.)

The College of Engineering requires 2 semesters of residence after the Qualifying Examination has been passed before the Ph.D. can be granted. These 2 semesters may include the semester in which the Qualifying Examination is taken.
Summer Sessions may be counted under the following conditions:

1.  Enrollment in two consecutive six-week Summer sessions counts as one term of residence, provided the candidate is enrolled in each session for the equivalent of at least two units of upper division and/or graduate work as given in a regular term (four units total);OR
2.  Enrollment in an eight-week Summer session counts as one term of residence provided the candidate is enrolled for the equivalent of at least four units of upper division and/or graduate work as given in a regular term. No degrees are awarded for work completed during Summer Session only.

Under exceptional circumstances, the requirement may be waived, with the concurrence of the student’s advisor and the Vice Chair of Graduate Matters.