Each degree program has its own policy that defines degree candidacy. Students in this classification have completed 30 semester hours of acceptable graduate work beyond the bachelor's degree, or have received a master's degree in the same or related field from an accredited college or university, and have satisfied all other requirements for candidacy set by the committee in charge of the degree program. You should check with your advisor and graduate school office for the criteria that applies to you.

After the establishment of degree candidacy, a maximum of 5 years will be allowed for the completion of the degree requirements, unless an extension is granted by your graduate school. Information on the procedure to request an extension is available from your academic department or your graduate school office.

Course credits earned in the program of graduate study, or accepted by transfer credit, are valid for a maximum of 7 years unless an extension is granted by your graduate school.

Yes.

The type examination and number of them varies by program. Some PhD programs have both a qualifying exam and a candidacy exam. Each student must pass required examinations within the time limit set by the committee in charge of your degree program. For additional information on required examinations, you should check with your advisor or the graduate coordinator in your academic department.

A GSS is a competitive award to eligible graduate students by the academic department/college and covers up to 8 credit hours per semester. Students who have been awarded a GSS are not required to work in order to receive the award. The GSS cannot be for a larger number of credit hours than the number for which the student has registered. Students may hold only one GSS appointment at a time.

Students with a GSS must be registered as full-time students. A GSS is not subject to either Federal or State Income Tax because it is not received in exchange for services and is therefore not considered income by the IRS; no FICA is withheld due to full-time student status.

Students awarded GSSs that do not cover all the tuition costs for a specific term are required to cover the difference between the specified amount of tuition support awarded and applied to the student's account and the total amount of tuition charged. GSSs should not be used to cover costs associated with Ph.D. Dissertation, Ph.D. Continuation, Master's Continuation or other courses bearing zero-credit hours.

Doctoral students enrolled in doctoral research, practicum, or clinical internship courses are considered full-time. Master's students enrolled in thesis or clinical continuation may be considered full-time at the discretion of their academic departments.