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College of Arts & Sciences
1 Meet with departmental/intercollegiate graduate advisor to plan course of study for first semester.

When: Before first semester registration.
Approved by: Graduate advisor.

2 Establish advisory committee (4 members: 3 in math, 1 outside of math). Submit a degree plan (96 credit hours if student does not have a MS; 64 credit hours if student already has a MS).

When: Prior to the deadline imposed by the student's college or intercollegiate programs, and no later than 90 days prior to preliminary examination.
Approved by: Advisory committee, department head or intercollegiate faculty chair, and Office of Graduate Studies (OGS).

3

Complete English Language Proficiency requirements (if applicable), and course work detailed on degree plan.

When: Before preliminary examination.

4

Complete the preliminary examination.

When: See steps for completing the preliminary examination. The preliminary examination results must be submitted to OGS 14 weeks prior to the date of the defense.
Approved by: Advisory committee, department head or chair of the intercollegiate faculty, and OGS.

5

Submit proposal for dissertation or record of study to the Office of Graduate Studies.

When: No later than 30 working days prior to the submission of the Request for the Final Examination.
Approved by: Advisory committee, department head or intercollegiate faculty chair, and OGS.

6

Complete residence requirement.

When: Before submitting request to schedule final oral examination.
Approved by: OGS.

7

Apply for degree; pay graduation fee.

When: During the first week of the final semester; see OGS calendar for deadlines.

8

Submit request for permission to hold and announce final oral examination.

When: Must be received by OGS at least 10 working days before requested exam date. See OGS calendar for deadlines.
Approved by: Advisory committee, department head or intercollegiate faculty chair, and OGS.

9

Upload one approved final copy of the dissertation or record of study as a single pdf file (thesis.tamu.edu) and submit a signed approval form to the Thesis Office.

When: See OGS calendar for deadlines.
Approved by: Advisory committee, department head or intercollegiate faculty chair, and Thesis Office.

10

Graduation; arrange for cap and gown.

For more information, contact University Bookstore.

Note: Once formal course work is complete, you must be continuously registered until all degree requirements have been met. (See Continuous Registration Requirements.)