Steps to Fulfill Doctoral Degree Requirements

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.)