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PhD Program Graduate Prospective Students

Doctoral program profile.

A minimum of 72 credit hours, or the equivalent, beyond the baccalaureate degree must be spent in graduate study at the University of Kansas (or transferred from an approved university) in order to complete requirements for the Ph.D. degree. This normally requires three years beyond the MS.

A minimum grade point average of 3.5/4.0 in Master’s degree work is normally required for admission to a doctoral program. It is also possible to choose the "Fast Track" Ph.D program directly from an approved B.S. degree, with a minimum GPA of 3.75/4.0. In this program, no M.S. degree is obtained, shortening the time required to obtain the Ph.D.

Doctoral Qualifying Examination

A qualifying examination will normally be taken either in the first semester of participation in the doctoral program on regular status or before the beginning of the second semester.

The Doctoral Qualifying Examination shall be an oral examination consisting of basic material from major areas in mechanical engineering and advanced material from the area of specialty declared by the student. The Qualifying Examination Committee, consisting of three or more members of the graduate faculty who are typically members of the Research and Graduate Studies & Committee of the Department of Mechanical Engineering shall prepare written questions in advance to be given to the student at the beginning of the examination. The qualifying examination will be taken in the first semester of participation in the doctoral program on regular status. A graduate student who does not seek a Master’s degree will take the qualifying examination after completion of 30 hours of graduate course work. A grade of pass or fail will be assigned and be kept in the departmental records.

If a student fails to pass the qualifying examination on the first attempt, a second attempt may be granted by the Qualifying Examination Committee upon the request of the student. The second attempt can be either written, oral, or both at the option of the Committee and will be given during the second semester of the doctoral program. The student will be terminated from the doctoral program if the Qualifying Examination is not passed after two attempts.

Plan of Study

On successful completion of the qualifying examination, the student selects a major professor from the Department to serve as the chairperson of the Advisory Committee and to direct the research. An Advisory Committee of at least five Graduate Faculty members from the School of Engineering, with at least three being from the Mechanical Engineering faculty, is then asked to serve by the student and his advisor to assist the student in preparing the plan of study, in conducting the comprehensive examination and in planning research.

Courses completed without an approved plan of study electronically filed will not necessarily count toward the degree. The plan of study must be submitted before the beginning of the second semester (after the Qualifying exam is passed) and must include the specific courses and all other requirements (research skills, research topic, etc.) that the student is expected to complete. After approval, the plan of study is electronically filed with the Department and with the Engineering Graduate Division. Create an online Graduate plan of study .

The minimum course work requirement is 54 credit hours beyond the coursework for the master's degree in Mechanical Engineering or 84 credit hours of coursework beyond the bachelor's degree, if the master's degree is not sought. A minimum of 9 credit hours of the 24 (or 21 of the 48) must be Mechanical Engineering courses numbered 700-990 (excluding 702, 899 and 901). A minimum of 9 credit hours of advanced mathematics beyond the bachelor's degree is required. Engineering, math, and other courses that count toward satisfaction of this mathematics requirement are listed in the  M.E. Graduate Handbook . Additionally, a minimum of 30 semester hours of dissertation credit is to be taken.

• View degree flow chart for Ph.D. (pdf)

Proficiency in Research Skill Area

The Ph.D. student must demonstrate a proficiency in at least one research skill area. Since the needs of each student differ, the research skills are determined with the advice and approval of the Advisory Committee. Possible areas may include:

• Receive a score in the language on the Educational Testing Service Graduate School Foreign Language Test at, or above, the minimal level prescribed by the Graduate School
• Complete a language course approved by the advisory committee with a grade of B or better.
• Computer Science. To establish competence in computer science, it is necessary to satisfy the Advisory Committee by demonstrating proficiency in a commonly used programming language and by creating at least one original program.

All research skill requirements must be satisfied prior to the comprehensive examination and reported to the Engineering Graduate Division on the Do-All form. If research skills are tested separately rather than integrally with the program, the completion of each requirement should be reported immediately to the Engineering Graduate Division so that it may be added to the student's permanent record.

Doctoral Comprehensive Examination

Following the completion of at least 18 credit hours of coursework beyond the Masters degree, a comprehensive or candidacy examination must be passed. The comprehensive examination shall consist of a presentation of the student's proposal for research on a topic previously approved by the advisor, followed by a public oral examination based on the aspirant's academic background. Through the Do-All form, the Department must request the School of Engineering Graduate Division to schedule the comprehensive oral examination in advance of the examination date by a minimum of two weeks. The committee (typically the advising committee) for the comprehensive oral examination must consist of at least five members, all of whom must be members of the Graduate Faculty and at least three of whom must be Mechanical Engineering Faculty. The Graduate Division of KU, on the basis of nominations submitted by the Department, will designate its members. At least one of the members must be from a department other than Mechanical Engineering. This member represents the Graduate School and must be a regular member of the Graduate Faculty. The examination may be scheduled provided that no less than five months have elapsed from the time of the aspirant's first enrollment at this university considering that the Qualifying Exam has been successfully completed.. The schedule for the examination should be announced (by email, web, and posted notices) throughout the Department at least 7 days in advance.

For every scheduled examination, the department will report a grade of honors, satisfactory, or unsatisfactory. If the aspirant receives a grade of unsatisfactory on the comprehensive oral examination, it may be repeated upon the recommendation of the Department and the request of the aspirant. The examination may not be repeated until at least 90 days have elapsed since the last unsuccessful attempt and no later than one year from the date of the first attempt. Normally, the aspirant will be terminated from the doctoral program if the comprehensive examination is not passed after two attempts.

After passing the comprehensive oral examination for a doctoral degree, the candidate must be continuously enrolled, including summer sessions, until all requirements for the degree are completed, and each enrollment must reflect, as accurately as possible the candidate's demands on faculty time and university facilities. During this time, until all requirements for the degree are completed or until 18 post-comprehensive hours have been completed (whichever comes first), the candidate must enroll for a minimum of 6 hours a semester and 3 hours a summer session. Post-comprehensive enrollment may include enrollment during the semester or summer session in which the comprehensive oral examination has been passed. If after 18 hours of post-comprehensive enrollment, the degree is not completed, the candidate must continue to enroll each semester and each summer session until all requirements for the degree have been met. The number of hours of each enrollment must be determined by the candidate's dissertation advisor and must reflect as accurately as possible the candidate's demands on faculty time and university facilities.

Dissertation

A dissertation is required of each doctoral candidate. The Ph.D. dissertation presents the results of the student's research investigation. It is expected to make an original contribution to technical knowledge of sufficient quality to merit publication(s) in refereed journals. A candidate for a doctoral degree must satisfy all  Graduate School requirements  for the degree and must submit to the major professor a paper or papers, based on the dissertation, suitable for publication in a refereed journal.

When the student passes the comprehensive oral examination, the Graduate Division identifies the candidate's Dissertation Committee based on the recommendations of the Department. The Dissertation Committee must consist of at least three members and may include members from other departments and divisions or, on occasion, members from outside the university. All members of the Committee must be chosen from the Graduate Faculty, and the chairperson must, in addition, be authorized to chair doctoral dissertations. A prospective member of the Committee from outside the university must have gained appointment as an ad hoc member of the Graduate Faculty prior to appointment to the Committee.

When the completed dissertation has been accepted by the Dissertation Committee, and all other degree requirements have been satisfied, the chairperson of the Dissertation Committee requests, three weeks in advance of the desired examination, the Graduate Division to schedule the final oral examination. The examination must be publicized at least 7 days prior to the date of the examination in the Department. At least five months must elapse between the successful completion of the comprehensive oral examination and the date of the final oral examination.

The committee for the final oral examination must consist of at least five members (the members of the Dissertation Committee plus at least two other members of the Graduate Faculty recommended by the chair of the dissertation committee and the Department and appointed by the Graduate Division). At least one of the members must be from an academic department other than the Department. This member represents the Graduate School and must be a regular member of the Graduate Faculty. The Department will report to the Graduate Division (by Do-All form) for every scheduled final oral examination a grade of honors, satisfactory, or unsatisfactory for the candidate's performance. If a grade of unsatisfactory is reported, the candidate may be allowed to repeat the examination upon the recommendation of the Department.

When the final oral examination has been passed and the dissertation has been signed by the members of the dissertation committee, a copy needs to be  submitted electronically  to the Graduate School, one bound copy to the major professor, and one bound copy to the Mechanical Engineering Department (with the funds needed to bind the two copies). In addition, the candidate must make arrangements for publication of the dissertation abstract in "Dissertation Abstracts International" Information on publication procedures may be secured from the Graduate Division.

Credit by Transfer

No credit taken after the award of the Masters degree can be transferred toward the Doctorate degree, but other relevant prior graduate work will be taken into consideration in planning programs of study.

Program Time Constraints

Residence Requirement: Two semesters, which may include one summer session, must be spent in resident study at the University of Kansas. During this period of residence, the student must be involved full-time in academic or professional pursuits, which may include appointments in this university for teaching or research if directed specifically toward the student's degree objectives. In this latter case, the student must be enrolled in a minimum of 6 hours per semester, and the increased research involvement must be fully supported and documented by the dissertation supervisor as being contributory to the student's dissertation or program objectives. The research work must be performed under the direct supervision of the major advisor if on campus, or with adequate liaison if off campus.

Maximum Tenure

The following time constraints apply for completion of doctoral programs:

• A student who enters graduate studies at KU with a Master’s degree from another university must complete all the work for the doctoral degree within eight years of the time of the initial enrollment in graduate work at this university.
• A student who leaves after having received the Master's degree from this university, and later decides to pursue the doctorate, may apply through the Department and Graduate Division for readmission to the Graduate School. If readmission is granted, the student must complete all the work for the doctoral degree within eight years of the time of the first enrollment after readmission.

Extension of the tenure periods specified above may be granted in exceptional circumstances for one year at a time by the Graduate Division upon receipt of a satisfactorily documented petition from the student concerned, supported by the Department.

A student in any of the categories listed above may petition the Graduate Division through the Department for a leave of absence during either the pre- or post-comprehensive period to pursue full-time professional activities related to the student's doctoral program and long-range professional goals. Leaves of absence may also be granted because of illness or other emergency. Ordinarily a leave of absence is granted for one year, with the possibility of extension upon request. After an absence of five years, however, a doctoral aspirant or candidate loses status as such and, in order to continue, must apply for readmission to the Department and to the Graduate Division.

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Ph. D. Programs

To view the degree requirements for the doctorate degree programs you are enrolled in select the associated discipline below from the list below.

Ph.D. Programs

Computer science, degree requirements.

Requirements for EECS doctoral degree program in Computer Science

• First semester select a major advisor and a doctoral committee
• Submit plan of study to be approved by committee
• Qualifying examination
• Annual Ph.D. Activity Report (PHAR)
• Comprehensive examination
• Dissertation
• Final oral examination

(Doctoral Committee: Students must select a major advisor and a doctoral committee within their first semester in the program. Doctoral committees must consist of a minimum of five Graduate Faculty members and is chaired by the major advisor. The advisor and at least two other members of the committee must be tenured or tenure-track EECS Graduate Faculty. One committee member must be the  Graduate Studies Representative , a regular KU faculty member from outside of EECS. The committee guides the plan of study, participates in the comprehensive and final examinations, and helps select a topic for research.)

Course Requirements

Students admitted to the program with their M.S. degree must complete:

• EECS Colloquium (EECS 802), recommend taking it your first semester
• Minimum of 18 credit hours of approved course work
• Minimum of 15 credit hours of course work must be EECS numbered 700 or higher, excluding Directed Graduate Reading (EECS 801) Gradaute Problems (EECS 891), Master's Thesis (EECS 899), and Post-Master's Research (EECS 998).
• Minimum of 18 semester credit hours of doctoral dissertation (EECS 999)
• EECS 999 hours can only be counted toward degree after passing the Comprehensive Examination

Students admitted to the program without their M.S. degree must complete:

• Minimum of 42 credit hours of approved course work
• Minimum of 30 credit hours of course work must be EECS numbered 700 or higher, excluding Directed Graduate Reading (EECS 801), Graduate Problems (EECS 891), Master's Thesis (EECS 899), and Post-Master's Research (EECS 998).

Explore:  Fast Track

During their first semester, students will form a graduate committee. The student’s committee consists of a minimum of 5 Graduate Faculty members and is chaired by the major adviser. The adviser and at least 2 other members of the committee must be tenured or tenure-track members of the Graduate Faculty, and 1 committee member must be a regular KU Graduate Faculty member outside of the EECS department. They should select faculty members who are most closely aligned with their research interests.

• Meet with professors in area of interest
• Choose an adviser
• Meet regularly with adviser to refine plan of study to meet academic and research goals

Advising holds will be released after the  plan of study  is approved and a signed  enrollment planning form (pdf)  is submitted to the EECS Graduate Office.

Students should plan their schedules with the understanding that some EECS graduate courses are offered on a two-year rotation. Some classes are offered every semester, others once per year, and some advanced courses are offered once every four semesters. Check with the  University Registrar  for a complete listing of courses.

Plan of Study

Every PhD student is required to have a goal for their PhD program that matches the sought after degree. The plan of study must be consistent with the identified degree and goals.

The  plan of study  outlines all course work, establishes dates for PhD milestones* and identifies the committee members.

• Work with adviser to form a committee, decide the classes that best meet your academic goals and determine a timeline to meet the PhD dates*.
• Submit plan of study before second semester of graduate study.
• Update plan of study when modifications are made and resubmit plan for approval.

PhD plans of study includes:

• EECS Colloquium and Seminar on Professional Issues (EECS 802), recommend taking it your first semester.
• Minimum of 18 semester credit hours of EECS 999 Doctoral Dissertation (EECS 999 hours can only be counted toward degree after passing the Comprehensive Examination)
• Minimum of 5 committee members (4 EECS Graduate Faculty and 1 KU Graduate Faculty outside the department)

*PhD Dates:

• Residency is met after full time enrollment two consecutive semesters
• Research Skills are met with the passing of the qualifying exam
• Responsible Scholarship is met with the passing of EECS 802

Qualifying Examination

Students demonstrate knowledge of Computer Science fundamentals and a potential for research through the Ph.D. Qualifying Examination (Qual). The Qual demonstrates the ability of the student to understand and apply fundamental concepts and evaluates their potential to pursue doctoral research. The EECS Qual completes the Ph.D. Research Skills Requirement for Doctoral students at KU.

A student becomes eligible to take the qualifying exam after both: (a) completing 24 hours of graduate coursework, and (b) being formally accepted into the PhD program. The student must also complete 6 hours of KU graduate coursework before taking the exam.

The EECS Qual uses four types of evidence to evaluate the PhD student. 

• Advisor recommendation – the student’s advisor will provide a frank but confidential assessment of the student’s ability to conduct PhD-level scholarship. 
• Academic performance – the KU classroom performance of the student will be assessed.
• Research ability – each student will submit written evidence of their research ability. 
• Oral exam – A committee of 3 faculty members will interview the student, discussing and probing topics associated with items 2 and 3 above.

A PhD student application for the Qual includes an “Abstract of Research Interests”, which provides a description and overview of the student’s interests and anticipated research direction. The main purpose of the abstract is to introduce the oral exam committee to the scholarly interests of the student, such that conversations and questions during the exam are fairly and effectively aligned with these interests. A secondary purpose of the abstract is to provide evidence as to the student’s ability to write effectively, and to communicate clearly and unambiguously technical content and ideas. As such, this abstract must be written and edited entirely by the student. The prose must therefore be original—it cannot be copied from a published document.

A committee of 3 faculty members appointed by the department will conduct an oral exam of the PhD student. The committee will receive the student’s research statement and course transcripts prior to this oral interview. Two hours will be scheduled for this interview. Using the student’s KU transcript, research statement, and the oral exam, the student’s exam committee will make a pass/fail recommendation. The department’s qualifying exam committee will then review both the advisor’s and the exam committee’s recommendations and render a grade for the exam.

Students who fail the exam are allowed to retake it one more time between 6 to 12 months after receiving a failing grade. If they fail it a second time, they will not be allowed to continue in the doctoral program.

Explore:  Qualifying Exam Topics    Application Form (pdf)

Ph.D. Activity Report

Students are required to submit an annual Ph.D. Activity Report (PHAR), which is used to assess academic progress.

A student who receives a second unsatisfactory evaluation will be placed on academic probation. Academic probation will be removed upon substantial progress as documented in the student's next PHAR; without substantial progress toward the degree, the student's Ph.D. status will be terminated.

Comprehensive Examination

After completing at least three-fourths of the course work requirements, students must pass the comprehensive examination. Before the exam, they will submit a detailed proposal for a possible dissertation. The doctoral committee will conduct an oral examination that evaluates a candidate’s proposal and overall knowledge of Computer Science.

If the student passes the comprehensive examination and later chooses a substantially different dissertation topic, a new proposal must be presented for the approval of the doctoral committee.

At least three weeks before the intended Ph.D. comprehensive exam, a student must do the following:

• Verify your plan of study is complete, correct, and on file in the EECS Graduate Office
• Schedule a time and location for defense with committee members and coordinate with staff to reserve the room
• Email date, time, location, full committee, title and short abstract (< 350 words) to the  EECS Graduate Office
• Distribute a written Ph.D. dissertation proposal to your committee
• Prepare and practice comprehensive presentation

Doctoral Dissertation and Final Oral Examination

A minimum of 1 month after completing your comprehensive exam and at least three weeks prior to your doctoral defense:

• Check with faculty advisor, the EECS Graduate Office, and the Engineering Dean's office to ensure all degree requirements have been completed and your dissertation meets University specifications
• Email date, time, location, full committee, title and short abstract (less than 350 words) to the  EECS Graduate Office
• Prepare and practice dissertation presentation

>After your doctoral defense, you must do the following:

• >Make final corrections to your dissertation as directed by your committee
• Get the title page and acceptance pages signed by all committee members
• Deliver the signed pages to the Engineering Dean's office
• Submit signed Doctoral Checklist (pdf)  and Graduation Report to Engineering Dean’s office
• Submit Dissertation  Online
• Deliver bound copies to committee members (if requested).

Electrical Engineering

Requirements for EECS doctoral degree program in Electrical Engineering

(Doctoral Committee: Students must select a major advisor and a doctoral committee within their first semester in the program. Doctoral committees must consist of a minimum of five Graduate Faculty members and is chaired by the major advisor. The advisor and at least two other members of the committee must be tenured or tenure-track EECS Graduate Faculty. One committee member must be the  Graduate Studies Representative , a KU faculty member from outside of EECS. The committee guides the plan of study, participates in the comprehensive and final examinations, and helps select a topic for research.)

• Minimum of 15 credit hours of course work must be EECS numbered 700 or higher, excluding Directed Graduate Reading (EECS 801), Graduate Problems (EECS 891), Master's Thesis (EECS 899), and Post-Master's Research (EECS 998).  Minimum of 30 credit hours of course work must be EECS numbered 700 or higher, excluding Directed Graduate Reading (EECS 801), Graduate Problems (EECS 891), Master's Thesis (EECS 899), and Post-Master's Research (EECS 998).

Students demonstrate knowledge of Electrical Engineering fundamentals and a potential for research through the Ph.D. Qualifying Examination (Qual). The Qual demonstrates the ability of the student to understand and apply fundamental concepts and evaluates their potential to pursue doctoral research. The EECS Qual completes the Ph.D. Research Skills Requirement for Doctoral students at KU.

Explore:  Qualifying Exam Topics

After completing at least three-fourths of the course work requirements, students must pass the comprehensive examination. Before the exam, they will submit a detailed proposal for a possible dissertation. The doctoral committee will conduct an oral examination that evaluates a candidate’s proposal and overall knowledge of Electrical Engineering.

• For all defense notices Email date, time, location, full committee, title and short abstract (< 350 words) to the  EECS Graduate Office

After your doctoral defense, you must do the following:

• Make final corrections to your dissertation as directed by your committee

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PH.D. BIOE DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

The Ph.D. bioengineering is evidence of ability to work as an engineer and researcher who demonstrates excellence in scientific research and continued intellectual leadership as an independent researcher. The holder of a Ph.D. degree will have completed a rigorous set of track courses and, courses outside of the track department, and pursue a focused research project. A dissertation is required.

The program is rigorous, and places high demands on the student. Students must demonstrate that they understand interdisciplinary concepts, are able to generate testable hypotheses, design experiments, and collect and analyze data, both independently and within team and interdisciplinary environments.

The Doctor of Philosophy bioengineering degree program provides knowledge breadth in engineering and the biological sciences, and knowledge depth in a particular research area. The degree will prepare students for careers in private and public firms, and a university setting.

The aspirant works with an advisor from his or her selected track area to develop a formal Plan of Study. The track areas encompass the major research and educational themes within the bioengineering degree program; each track has a director and affiliated faculty. The student selects from among track courses offered under the track areas to construct a comprehensive educational and research program that takes (a) advantage of the student’s background, (b) demonstrates academic and research skills, and (c) capitalizes on the strengths of the affiliated faculty.

Goals and Objectives

The general goals and objectives for the bioengineering Ph.D. degree are to:

• provide students with an in-depth understanding of mathematics, engineering principles, physics, chemistry, anatomy and physiology, computation, and modern biology;
• train students to apply basic sciences to medical and biological problems, using engineering principles;
• train students to recognize and provide engineering solutions to clinical problems;
• train students to research bioengineering problems;
• train students to apply bioengineering research to commercially viable problems; and,
• train students to teach bioengineering at the graduate and undergraduate levels.

The Plan of Study

The student’s Advisor will help the student develop his/her “Plan of Study”, which must be approved by the student’s Advisory Committee. The Plan of Study must consist of the following components: CORE, RESEARCH, DEPTH, BREADTH and ELECTIVES. Details regarding the list of approved courses are available on the Track Advising Sheets.

CORE (6 hours)

CPE 756 Introduction to Bioengineering (3) BIOE 800 Bioengineering Colloquium (0.5 hrs/semester, 4 semesters required) BIOE 801 Responsible Conduct in Engineering Research (1)

RESEARCH (18 min – 24 max)

The student’s research will lead to the PhD’s dissertation, which demonstrates that its author has completed an original and independent investigation of a significant problem. The dissertation provides evidence that the student can recognize an important problem, acquire the data to answer the questions posted within that problem, and extend the results of the answered questions to other problems of significance. Defense of the dissertation is scheduled when the Advisory Committee listed on the Plan of Study agrees that the research is complete.

DEPTH, BREADTH and ELECTIVES (30 -36 hours)

Students must complete the number of hours required in the respective track that they have chosen. The total number of hours for degree completion will vary by track; with a minimum is 60 hrs.

Examinations

There are three examinations that are part of the Ph.D. curriculum. Successful completion of the qualifying and comprehensive exams will admit the student to Ph.D. candidacy. The defense is the final exam.

The Qualifying Examination

The qualifying examination is normally taken following completion of the majority of the track coursework (typically within the first year). The qualifying exam can serve as an entrance exam to the Ph.D. exam. This exam can be taken a maximum of two times.

The Comprehensive Examination

The major examination in a doctoral student's career is the comprehensive examination. It is intended to assure that the student has potential to become an independent investigator. The skills demonstrated in this examination include those necessary to obtain funding for research and development in academia, government, and industry; these skills are expected to be highly developed. The comprehensive examination is used to determine the soundness, significance, and originality of the student's research project, as well as test the clarity and thoroughness of the student's understanding. It provides an opportunity for the student to justify his or her research vision, describe the initial research plan, and present preliminary data demonstrating feasibility of the project. The comprehensive examination affords an opportunity to correct deficiencies in the student's overall educational program that become evident during the course of the exam. As an open examination, the comprehensive exam also reflects on the quality of research. Passing the examination advances the student to doctoral candidacy status.

The Dissertation Defense

The doctoral dissertation demonstrates that its author has completed an original and independent investigation of a significant problem. The dissertation provides evidence that the student can define an important problem, develop a viable research plan to investigate the problem and generalize the results to other problems of significance. Defense of the doctoral dissertation is scheduled when the Advisory Committee agrees that the research is complete.

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Educational Leadership & Policy (Ph.D.) Program Curriculum & Admission Requirements

Program structure, comprehensive examination, dissertation, more program structure, teaching requirement, residency requirements, program curriculum.

The program’s curriculum reflects the needs and aspirations of each student, and prepares researchers, teachers and educational leaders for a variety of settings. The student will work closely with an advisor to determine a plan of study. The curriculum requirements outlined below are the minimum required for the degree. To be adequately prepared for an intended career, the student’s advisor may encourage additional coursework or opportunities which may include presenting and/or publishing scholarly papers.

Core Requirements

Please note, this is a potential plan of study. Please consult with your faculty advisor before enrolling.

Additional requirements

ELPS core courses: 12 cr. hours

ELPS elective courses: 12 – 15 cr. hours

Non-ELPS Elective courses: 9 - 12 cr. hours (one of the courses must be a diversity, equity, and inclusion course).

Research methods courses – a minimum of 12 cr. hours

Graduate Admission

Applicants must have a master’s degree or equivalent with at least a 3.5 grade point average on a 4.0 scale. International applicants are strongly encourage to complete the application process well in advance of the application deadlines, in order to ensure adequate time for processing of visa related paperwork. Meeting minimum admission standards does not guarantee admission to the program. Applicants are strongly advised to contact one (or more) of the faculty members in the department prior to applying for the doctoral program.

Application Deadlines

Application checklist, ph.d. in educational leadership & policy.

Applicants are required to submit the following materials and meet the following requirements before the application deadline:

Online application

Complete through the KU Office of Graduate Admissions

Transcripts

One official copy of academic transcripts from each college or university attended

English translation of transcripts

Official transcripts from an international university must include an English translation

GRE exam scores (optional)

Official copy of scores no older than five years

CV or Resume

Please include at a minimum • Post-high school education. • Relevant professional and/or scholarly experience. • Research experience and other pertinent experience. • Honors, other recognitions received. • Conference presentations, publications, reports.

Statement of purpose

Please submit a succinct statement of purpose, no more than five pages in length. Click the link above for details.

Writing samples

These can include professional works (not necessarily academic papers), formal reports, and other pertinent work. The writing sample(s) should demonstrate your ability to think critically and/or analytically about an issue or a task. We are looking for documents of substantive quality and length, tough there is no official minimum or maximum page limit.

Letters of recommendation

Letters of recommendations from three individuals who can speak directly to the applicant’s academic skills and potential for rigorous, independent doctoral level work. Preferably the letters will be from current or former professors but can also include a letter from an immediate supervisor.

Phone or Video Conference Interview

After initial screening, ELPS faculty may invite you for an interview to address remaining questions about your objectives and fit for the program. The interview may also involve an interactive evaluation of your scholarly skills and potential.

Proof of English proficiency

Non-native English speakers must demonstrate English proficiency

Application fee

$65 for U.S. residents, $85 for international applicants.

Admission & Curriculum Resources

The online application is designed to give applicants the ability to submit all supporting documents in one form. We invite you to explore our graduate degree information, review our student resources, and learn more on our knowledgeable faculty and the vibrant community of Lawrence, Kansas.

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• Program Data
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Program Faculty

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Graduate Studies

KU’s Office of Graduate Studies fosters an exceptionally healthy and inclusive graduate learning community by enacting administrative practices that lift students, faculty, and staff to the highest standards for graduate education.

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Workshops & Events

The Office of Graduate Studies hosts research competitions and partners with other campus units to provide professional development workshops for graduate students.

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PhD Degree Requirements & Curriculum

PhD Degree Requirements

The doctoral program requires an enrollment of a minimum of 64 credit hours* , as follows:

• 37 credit hours of required coursework
• 9 credit hours of electives
• An integrative paper
• A comprehensive examination process
• A dissertation

*Effective fall 2024.

The curriculum is designed to provide standard core content for all students and also to give flexibility for students to develop particular expertise in chosen areas of inquiry and research methods.

Required social work doctoral courses provide a common base of knowledge and skills. Electives, the Integrative Paper, and the dissertation allow greater focus and specialization. The cumulative effect of coursework and the Integrative Paper should be to create a clear area of specialization or emphasis. The dissertation involves detailed scholarly investigation within this area. Students are not required to use the same or similar topic and methodology developed in the Integrative Paper for the dissertation. However, doing so is the most efficient way to proceed through the program. The total number of credit hours students complete for the degree is variable based on students' individual experiences.

Student Resources

• PhD Course Descriptions
• Value Added Opportunities

The PhD program requires a minimum of 64 credit hours. Visit the KU Academic Catalog for a 4-year PhD Degree Plan .

KU Academic Catalog

• PhD Program - KU Academic Catalog
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• Assistant Professor

PhD Application Timeline

Request information.

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PhD in Architecture

The Ph.D. in Architecture offers candidates opportunities to develop and deepen their education in 3 important ways:

• Enhancing research and analytical skills with rigorous methods of inquiry and synthesis;
• Acquiring advanced knowledge specific to their area(s) of inquiry through comprehensive scholarly investigations and distinguished documentation; and
• Developing the ability to communicate knowledge in a clear and eloquent manner.

To realize this goal, the faculty has made a commitment to create, along with doctoral students, a climate in which scholarship and creativity can flourish. Underlying the advanced study of architecture at KU is an ethic regarding architectural inquiry and architectural practice; one that sustains the question, “What ought we do as architects and researchers to enhance the quality of life on this planet?” Examples of inquiry at KU that exemplify this underlying question are

• Progressive models of practice embracing evidence-based design and design-build practices;
• Affordable housing with a sensitive aesthetic;
• Material investigations to create more affordable and sustainable building practices;
• Rigorous evaluations of built artifacts to inform better design practice;
• Translation of empirical findings of person-place interaction research into design guidelines; and
• Critical perspectives on human settlement patterns.

Our research is founded on an ethical position. We are not involved in research simply to generate knowledge for its own sake but rather to improve the human condition through more thoughtful built form. The overall focus is on developing understanding that may inform the critical delivery processes by which humane architecture is created.

Note : Contact your department or program for more information about the Research and Skills and Responsible Scholarship requirement for doctoral students.

This degree requires a minimum of 49 credits and is for students seeking to enhance the body of knowledge in the discipline of architecture. Because of this desire, Ph.D. students at KU are viewed as colleagues and collaborators with our faculty and as such, as valuable resources. The degree prepares students for careers in academia, consulting, practice-based research, or work in the public sector.

Concentration Areas

The Architecture, Culture, and Behavior concentration investigates the social, cultural, political, and psychological dimensions of designed environments within a broad interdisciplinary framework, using a range of qualitative and quantitative methodological approaches. Within this concentration, students could inquire into a variety of research questions related to diverse types of architectural, urban, and geographical settings. Research topics may include, among others, issues related to: architectural education; housing and community designs; social justice in design; psychological aspects in designed environments ; programming and post-occupancy evaluation of designed environments; nexus between organizational culture and space; architectural and urban morphology; social aspects in sustainable design; cultural heritage preservation and management; traditional settlement studies; urban design and development; and international development and globalization.

Students are highly encouraged to pursue advanced theory and methodology courses offered in the fields of humanities and social sciences, in addition to those offered in the School of Architecture & Design in order to develop an interdisciplinary intellectual context for their research inquiries. 

The faculty members serving on the committees of our students in this area are:

• Dr. Hui Cai
• Dr. Nisha Fernando
• Dr. Farhan Karim
• Dr. Marie-Alice L’Heureux
• Dr. Mahbub Rashid
• Dr. Kapila Silva
• Prof. Kent Spreckelmeyer, D. Arch., FAIA

A list of recommended courses for our students in Architecture, Culture, & Behavior:

• ABSC 798: Conceptual Foundations of Behavior Analysis
• ABSC 831: Science of Human Behavior
• ABSC 935: Experimental Foundations of Applied Behavior Analysis
• ANTH 695: Cultural Ecology
• ANTH 732: Discourse Analysis
• ANTH 775: Seminar in Cultural Anthropology
• ANTH 783: Doing Ethnography
• ANTH 788: Symbol Systems
• ANTH 794: Material Culture
• C&T 907: Critical Pedagogies
• ELPS 777: Problems in Contemporary Educational Theory
• ELPS 831: Sociology of Education
• ELPS 871: Introduction to Qualitative Research
• ELPS 948: Research in Education Policy and Leadership
• EVRN 620: Environmental Politics and Policy
• EVRN 656: Ecosystem Ecology
• EVRN 701: Climate Change, Ecological Change, and Social Change
• EVRN 720: Topics in Environmental Studies
• GEOG 670: Cultural Ecology
• GEOG 751: Analysis of Regional Development
• GEOG 772: Problems in Political Geography
• GEOG 773: Humanistic Geography
• GIST 701: Approaches to International Studies
• GIST 702: Globalization
• HIST 898: Colloquium in Material Culture and History
• HIST 901: Research Seminar in Global History
• HWC 775: Advanced Study in the Body and Senses
• ISP 814: Decolonizing Narratives
• PHIL 622: Philosophy of Social Science
• PHIL 850: Topics in Recent Philosophy
• POLS 961: The Politics of Culturally Plural Societies
• POLS 978: Advanced Topics in International Relations Theory
• POLS 981: Global Development
• PSYC 693: Multivariate Analysis
• PSYC 790: Statistical Methods in Psychology I
• PSYC 791: Statistical Methods in Psychology II
• PSYC 818: Experimental Research Methods in Social Psychology
• PSYC 882: Theory and Method for Research of Human Environments
• PUAD 836: Introduction to Quantitative Methods
• PUAD 937: Qualitative Methods in Public Administration
• SOC 803: Issues in Contemporary Theory
• SOC 804: Sociology of Knowledge
• SOC 812: Analytic Methods in Sociology
• SOC 813: Field Methods and Participant Observation
• SOC 875: The Political Economy of Globalization
• SW 730: Human Behavior in the Social Environment
• SW 847: Grant Writing and Fundraising
• SW 979: Methods of Qualitative Inquiry
• SW 981: Advance Quantitative Research Methods
• SW 988: Mixing Methods in Social science Research
• WGSS 600: Contemporary Feminist Political Theory
• WGSS 801: Feminist Theory
• WGSS 802: Feminist Methodologies

Growing evidence has demonstrated strong links between the built environment and human health and wellness. The Health & Wellness program at the school of Architecture & Design at the University of Kansas, including both the professional program and the PhD concentration, is one of the strongest programs in the nation that is dedicated to research and design education about environments for health and wellness. It is built on close collaborations between an interdisciplinary team of faculty, affiliated professionals, and several academic and research programs (including the University of Kansas Center for Sustainability, Gerontology Center at the Life Span Institute, Health Policy and Management at the School of Medicine and School of Nursing, and Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering at School of Engineering).

The goal of the concentration is to use evidence-based design approaches to study the impacts of design on human health and wellness. The scope varies at multiple scales, from object, to room, to building and site, to entire communities.

This concentration provides students with the theoretical, technical and applied knowledge and skills to prepare them for academic and professional careers to promote human wellness in a variety of building types (e.g. healthcare, senior care, office, education, recreation). The curriculum focuses on developing skills in quantitative and qualitative research on health-related design. In addition, PhD students may also consider participating in the seven-month health and wellness professional internship, which is currently offered in the professional program.

Some topics that students may investigate in this program are:

• Inpatient and ambulatory healthcare facilities
• Environments for special populations
• Natural or built environments that enhance human wellness
• Environments that support healthy and productive workplaces
• Neighborhoods that improve the physical, social and cultural health of the community
• Prof. Kent Spreckelmeyer, D.Arch, Emeritus FAIA
• Frank Zilm, D.Arch, FAIA
• Dr. Herminia Machry

Recommended Health and Wellness courses include:

• ARCH 600: Evidence-based Design in Healthcare Facilities
• ARCH 731: Architecture of Health

Some other courses currently offered to health and wellness professional program may be available to PhD students:

• ARCH 807: Healthy and Sustainable Environments Internship
• ARCH 692: Documentation (in conjunction with ARCH 807)
• ARCH 808: Healthy and Sustainable Environments Capstone Studio

The Building Performance & Design Computation concentration examines the crossroads of building science (lighting, acoustics, thermal, energy conservation, air quality) and design. Studies in this area seek to advance knowledge improving building occupant well-being and environmental sustainability through optimized building design. Research may require both quantitative and qualitative research methodologies, often involving both physical testing and numerical simulation of the built environment.

Courses within the department are augmented by courses offered in other university units such as engineering, psychology, planning, and computer science. 

• Dr. Dilshan Remaz Ossen 
• Dr. Francesco Carota
• Dr. Gustavo Garcia do Amaral 
• Dr. Jae Chang
• Dr. Hongyi Cai
• Dr. Hugo Sheward
• Dr. Keith Van de Riet
• Dr. Tzu-Chieh Kurt Hong
• Dr. Xiaobo Quan

A list of recommended courses for our students in Building Performance & Design Computation:

• ARCE 650: Illumination Engineering
• ARCE 660: Building Thermal Science
• ARCE 750: Daylighting
• ARCE 751: Advanced Lighting Design
• ARCE 752: Lighting Measurement and Design
• ARCE 760: Automatic Controls for Building Mechanical Systems
• ARCE 764: Advanced Thermal Analysis of Buildings
• SW 847: Grant-writing and Fundraising
• UBPL 738: Environmental Planning Techniques

The aim of History Theory and Criticism concentration is to produce cutting-edge scholarship in the field of architectural history, philosophy and theory. The courses in this concentration offers a wide ranges of topics that includes architectural historiography, discourse analysis, analytical methodology, critical survey of architectural history around the globe, and the emerging issues that set the current philosophical and disciplinary debates. Allied faculty members and research students investigates the socio, political, philosophical and material context of architecture to understand the broader shifts of the discipline and its impact on society, and vice versa over time. The main goal of this research cluster is to identify and use novel research methods in architectural history and theory to understand the relationship among changing social dynamics, evolving technology, and built environment. 

Students are highly encouraged to pursue advanced theory and methodology courses offered in the fields of humanities and social sciences, in addition to those offered in the School of Architecture, Design, and Planning, in order to develop an interdisciplinary intellectual context for their research inquiries.

A list of recommended courses for our students in History, Theory, & Criticism in Architecture

• ARCH 540: Global History of Architecture I
• ARCH 541: Global History of Architecture II
• ARCH 542: History of Architecture III
• ARCH 600: Spaces of Poverty
• ARCH 600: Postcolonial Architecture
• ARCH 600: HyperHistory: Digital technology and architectural historiography
• ARCH 600: History of American Architecture
• ARCH 600: Global Cities
• ARCH 600: Theory of Vernacular Architecture
• ARCH 630: Theory and Context of Architecture
• ARCH 665: History of Urban Design.
• UBPL 522: History of the American City I
• UBPL 722: History of the American City II
• HIST 302/303: The Historian's Craft
• HIST 303: Sin Cities
• HIST 660: Biography of a City
• HA 305/505: Introduction to Islamic Art and Architecture
• HA 536: Islamic Art and Architecture in Africa
• HA 310: The Art and Architecture of Florence and Paris
• HA 311: The Art and Architecture of the British Isles
• HA 508: The Italian Renaissance Home

Program Details

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2024-25 Academic Catalog

Doctor of philosophy in nursing.

The Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing (PhD)  Program prepares graduates to function in faculty positions in college and university settings; conduct independent research as nurse scientists, perform scholarly endeavors in nursing; generate and expand the theoretical, empirical, and philosophical bases for nursing practice; provide leadership to the profession; and interpret nursing to society. Students have opportunities to expand their theoretical knowledge and research skills in one of three emphasis areas (Health Systems, Symptom Science, or Education); develop expertise in nursing theory development; expand research skills; and gain a historical and philosophical perspective that broadens their professional orientation and provides a basis for understanding changing social expectations, cultural perspectives, and economic and political trends. The PhD Program prepares nurse scientists for the future with coursework in Precision Health, Data Science, and Grant Writing.

Nurses engaged in doctoral study are adult learners with unique perspectives gained from personal, professional, and educational experiences. These individuals tend to be self-directed, goal-oriented, highly motivated and capable of abstract, original thinking. Individual interests are explored through study in the selected emphasis area. Learning is achieved through independent study and research, as well as instructed courses.

Admission Criteria

New students are accepted to the PhD degree program once a year, for instruction that begins in June during the summer semester. The application deadline is January 1st for admission the following summer. Prospective students can apply using the KU Medical Center online application .

• Completion of a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), Master of Science (MS) in nursing, or Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree from a nationally accredited (NLNAC or CCNE) program.
• Current registered nurse licensure in at least one state in the United States. This requirement may be waived for international students who will not engage in patient care while in the program
• Preference is given to applicants with a 3.5 GPA in a BSN program or 3.25 GPA in a Master's or DNP program
• Potential for leadership and scholarship in nursing
• Prerequisite preparation must include a graduate-level statistical methods course and an Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) course
• Satisfactory criminal background check (completed once an offer of admission has been extended to applicant), which may affect the student's eligibility to enter the program

English Language Requirements  

All applicants for study at the University of Kansas Medical Center (KUMC) whose native language is not English must demonstrate an established level of English language proficiency through either the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or the academic format of the EILTS (International English Language Testing System). The test must have been taken within two years of the first semester of enrollment.

See also Admissions in the Graduate Studies section of the online catalog.

Program Options

Students may apply to the research doctoral (PhD) program after completing a doctor of nursing (DNP), master's degree in nursing or a baccalaureate degree with a major in nursing. The post-baccalaureate entry option is for exceptionally well-qualified BSN graduates whose career goals are research-oriented and who wish to progress as rapidly as possible toward the research doctorate in nursing.

Course Requirements

The PhD degree requires 67 credit hours; 52 coursework credit hours and at least 15 dissertation credit hours for Post-MS students. Post-BSN students complete an additional 6 credit hours from the graduate nursing core. DNP-to-PhD students complete 27 credit hours of coursework and 15 dissertation credit hours.

The PhD program is offered through a combination of formats, including:

• Three required on-campus, one-week summer intensives at the University of Kansas Medical Center in Kansas City, Kansas
• Online coursework throughout the year, including synchronous and asynchronous web-based conferencing on a regular basis
• On-campus and videoconference mentoring by faculty for research and career advisement and scholar development

Coursework includes curriculum components: core (41 credit hours for Post-MS), an Emphasis Area (11 credit hours), and Dissertation (at least 15 credit hours). DNP-to-PhD students complete 27 credit hours of coursework and 15 dissertation credit hours.

*Courses will be selected in consultation with advisor.

Emphasis Area

The emphasis area includes 11 coursework credit hours in the student's area of choice from among three options: Health Systems, Symptom Science, or Education. Emphasis area courses must support the student's research interest area. Two of the 11 emphasis area credit hours are taken through enrollment in NRSG 970: Synthesis of Emphasis Area of Study, which is taken after completion of the emphasis area coursework. That course requires completion of a scholarly paper synthesizing content taken throughout the emphasis area course sequence. 

Dissertation

Each PhD student must complete a study that shows the planning, conduct, and results of original research. See  Doctoral Degree Requirements, Ph.D. , in the Graduate Studies section of the online catalog. The minimum number of post-comprehensive dissertation credit hours is 15. The program also requires satisfactory completion of the University's research skills and responsible scholarship requirement, two qualifying examinations at the completion of NRSG 945: Synthesis Workshop I and NRSG 949: Synthesis Workshop II, a comprehensive oral exam, (i.e., the dissertation proposal defense), and a final oral examination, (i.e., the final dissertation defense).

The KU School of Nursing has three entry options to the Ph.D. in Nursing program. You can apply to the research doctoral program after completing a BSN, M.S. or DNP degree. Students may also choose between full-time and part-time plans of study. For more information, see the KU School of Nursing website . 

BSN-PhD Sample Full-Time Plan of Study 

MS-PhD Sample  Full-Time  Plan of Study   

TECHNICAL STANDARDS FOR ADMISSION University of Kansas School of Nursing

I.  Introduction

All individuals admitted to the University of Kansas School of Nursing will be asked to verify that they can meet the following Technical Standards, with or without accommodation(s). In courses or programs without clinical components, or involving no direct client care, the Technical Standards may be modified by the Student Admission and Progression Committee (SAPC). After acceptance, but before admission to the School of Nursing, students in all programs must be able to document current certification/evidence of completion of a course in cardiopulmonary resuscitation for healthcare providers. This requires being able to successfully complete both the written and practical test for certification. In addition, with or without accommodation, the following abilities and expectations must be met by all students, undergraduate and graduate, admitted to the School of Nursing.

II.  Standards

A.  Observation/Sensory-motor:  Applicants must be able to observe demonstrations and learn from experiences in the basic sciences, including but not limited to, physiology and pharmacology, microbiology and pathophysiology laboratory situations. Applicants must be able to observe and learn from experiences in the clinical nursing laboratory such as the following examples: accurately read gradients/calibrations on a syringe; measure medications accurately; accurately recognize color changes on chemical reaction strips; assess heart, breath, abdominal sounds; assess normal and abnormal color changes in the skin; observe pupil changes; and observe digital or waveform readings.

B.  Communication : Communications include not only speech but also reading, writing, and computer usage, including handheld digital access. Applicants must be able to communicate accurately and effectively with patients, caregivers, physicians, other health professionals, clinical facility staff, faculty and staff, peers, and the community in general in order to elicit information, describe changes in mood, activity and posture, and perceive nonverbal communications.

C.  Psychomotor:  Applicants should have sufficient motor function to elicit information from patients by palpation, auscultation, percussion, and other diagnostic maneuvers. Applicants should be physically able to collect specimens and perform basic tests (such as glucose finger stick, urine dipstick). Applicants should be able to execute motor movements reasonably required to provide general care and emergency treatment to patients. Examples of emergency treatment reasonably required of nurses are cardiopulmonary resuscitation, administration of intravenous medication, application of pressure to stop bleeding, and assist in moving and lifting patients using proper body mechanics. Such actions require coordination of both gross and fine muscular movements, equilibrium and using tactile and visual senses.

D.  Intellectual-Conceptual, Integrative, and Quantitative:  Applicants must be able to comprehend and interpret documents written in English. Applicants should have cognitive abilities including measurements, calculation, reasoning, analysis, and synthesis.  Critical thinking is the ability to synthesize knowledge. Problem solving, the critical skill demanded of nurses, requires all of these intellectual abilities. In addition, the applicant should be able to comprehend three dimensional relationships and to understand the spatial relationships of structures in order to understand normal and abnormal anatomy and physiology, which may be an essential part of the selected research topic.

E.  Behavioral and Social Attributes:  Applicants must possess the emotional health required to utilize their intellectual abilities fully, exercise good judgment, complete all responsibilities attendant to the nursing diagnosis and care of patients promptly, and the development of mature, sensitive and effective relationships with patients and their families. Applicants must be able to tolerate physically taxing workloads and to function effectively under stress. They must be able to adapt to changing environments, to display flexibility, and to learn to function in the face of uncertainties inherent in the clinical problems of many patients. Compassion, integrity, concern for others, interpersonal communication skills, interest and motivation are all personal qualities that should be assessed during the admissions and education process. As a component of nursing education, a student must demonstrate ethical behavior including adherence to the professional nursing and student honor codes. The honor code at the KU School of Nursing is the Professional Integrity System (PROFITS). KU PROFITS is a peer-oriented integrity system to promote an environment where academic honesty is valued and expected.

III.  Reasonable Accommodation

Applicants who disclose a disability are considered for admission if they are otherwise qualified so long as such accommodation does not significantly alter the essential requirements of the curriculum and the educational program, or significantly affect the safety of patient care or others. When applicants or students disclose a disability, the provision of reasonable accommodations will be considered in an attempt to assist these individuals in meeting these required technical standards. Applicants whose response indicates that they cannot meet one or more of the expectations will be reviewed further by the University’s Office for Academic Accommodations, with applicant and faculty input, to determine if any reasonable accommodations are possible to facilitate successful completion of the nursing curriculum and preparation for the national registry examination.

It is important to give persons interested in enrolling in nursing a realistic view of the vigorous demands of the School of Nursing’s theoretical and practicum curriculum while at the same time investigating reasonable accommodations. Whether or not a requested accommodation is reasonable will be determined on a case by case basis. Interested individuals may schedule an orientation visit to the nursing skills laboratory and actual sites of the University of Kansas Hospital and/or University of Kansas Medical Center. These orientation visits enable persons to assess their interest and ability to function in the actual clinical areas and in learning and demonstrating manual skills.

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) to Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing (PhD) Program

The University of Kansas School of Nursing PhD program prepares graduates to function in faculty positions in college and university settings; conduct independent research and scholarly endeavors in nursing; generate and expand the theoretical, empirical, and philosophical bases for nursing practice; provide leadership to the profession; and interpret nursing to society. The DNP-to-PhD in Nursing program prepares graduates for these purposes for those who previously earned a DNP degree. The advanced practice or leadership cognate area from the DNP program serves as the "emphasis area" for the DNP-to-PhD program. Additional content provided in the PhD program is focused on statistics, theory, data science, or precision health, research methods, grant writing, and conduct of research, (i.e., skills essential to the research doctorate). The DNP-to-PhD program focuses on preparing the graduate for conducting independent and collaborative research for nursing science. DNP-PhD students complete 27 credit hours of coursework and 15 dissertation credit hours.

Eligibility and Requirements

• Completion of a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree from a nationally accredited (NLNAC or CCNE) program.
• Current registered nurse licensure in at least one state in the U.S.
• Minimum cumulative graduate grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Preference is given to applicants with a 3.25 GPA in the DNP program.
• Potential for leadership and scholarship in nursing.
• Prerequisite preparation must include a graduate-level statistical methods course and an analysis of variance (ANOVA) course.

Satisfactory criminal background check, which is completed once an offer of admission has been extended to applicant.

  Course Requirements

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Admissions procedures and plan of study for dual-title ph.d. programs.

To outline the admission procedure for dual-title degrees at the University of Kansas

Applicants to graduate study

Admissions Procedures for a Dual-Title Ph.D.

• The student applies and is admitted to the major Ph.D. program. The student must enroll in the major Ph.D. program for at least one semester and be in good academic standing before applying to the dual-title Ph.D. program.
• The student may then apply and be admitted to the dual-title Ph.D. program. This is an internal application procedure for students already admitted and enrolled at KU. 

Plan of Study for Dual-Title Ph.D.

• The student completes coursework in the major Ph.D. program and any additional coursework in the dual-title Ph.D. program. In many cases, the dual-title field coursework is integrated with the disciplinary field coursework.  For example, PSYC 691 (Psychology of Aging) might meet the requirements for the dual-title degree in Psychology and Gerontology.   
• The two participating Ph.D. programs of the dual-title program develop sections in their graduate student handbooks that outline the nature of the dual-title degree, stipulate the array of courses typically taken, and detail other structural and practical requirements of a dual-title degree. Each participating program oversees its own dual-title students and signs off on a curricular plan for its own program.  
• Ideally, the student’s advisor is a member of the major Ph.D. program and the dual-title program. If this is not possible, the student must have a co-chair from each of the two fields. This ensures integration of the two areas in the coursework, examinations, and the dissertation.   
• The candidacy examination committee for the dual-title degree-seeking student must be composed of faculty from the major Ph.D. program as well as at least one faculty member from the dual-title Ph.D. program. The comprehensive exam requirements of both programs must be met.   
• The dissertation topic should integrate both fields and be defended before a committee of graduate faculty from both programs. 

The dean of the school for the major Ph.D. program confers the dual-title degree. The student’s diploma carries the name of both programs; for example: Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology and Gerontology. One Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code is assigned for the dual-title degree.

Graduate Studies 785-864-8040 [email protected]

Admission to Graduate Study Application and Admission to a Doctoral Program Dual-Title Doctor of Philosophy Degrees

06/30/23: Updated links and formatting, changed approved by to Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor.  01/10/2023: Formatting. 09/14/2022: Removed broken links. Dual-title Ph.Ds. are distinct from dual degrees, joint degrees, and combined degrees programs, which are completed sequentially and award the graduate two degrees upon completion. 07/2014: The policy was reviewed and updated by Graduate Studies. 08/2011: This policy was initially approved.

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Ph.D. Literature

Ph.d. in literature.

The Ph.D. degree offers the opportunity for advanced and concentrated research to students who hold an M.A. degree in English or a related field, from KU or elsewhere. With faculty guidance, students admitted to the Ph.D. program may tailor their programs to their research and teaching interests.

Opportunities

A GTA appointment includes a tuition waiver for ten semesters plus a competitive stipend. In the first year, GTA appointees teach English 101 (first year composition) and English 102 (a required reading and writing course). Graduate students may have the opportunity to teach an introductory course in their field after passing the doctoral examination, and opportunities are available for a limited number of advanced GTAs to teach in the summer.

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Requirements

• At least 24 hours of credit in appropriate formal graduate courses beyond the M.A. or M.F.A. At least 15 hours (in addition to ENGL 800 if not taken for the M.A.) of this course work must be taken from among courses offered by the Department of English at the 700-level and above. English 997 and 999 credits cannot be included among the 24 hours. Students may petition to take up to 6 hours outside the Department.
• ENGL 800: Methods, Theory, and Professionalism (counts toward the 24 required credit hours).
• The ENGL 801/ENGL 802 pedagogy sequence (counts toward the 24 required credit hours).
• Two seminars (courses numbered 900 or above) offered by the Department of English at the University of Kansas, beyond the M.A. or M.F.A. ENGL 998 does not fulfill this requirement.
• ENGL 999, Dissertation (at least 12 hours).

If the M.A. or M.F.A. was completed in KU’s Department of English, a doctoral student may petition the DGS to have up to 12 hours of the coursework taken in the English Department reduced toward the Ph.D.        

For Doctoral students,  the university requires completion of a course in responsible scholarship . For the English department, this would be ENGL 800, 780, or the equivalent). In addition, the Department requires reading knowledge of one approved foreign language: Old English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Russian, Japanese, Greek, Latin, or Hebrew. Upon successful petition, a candidate may substitute reading knowledge of another language or research skill that is studied at the University or is demonstrably appropriate to the candidate’s program of study.

Doctoral students must fulfill the requirement  before  they take their doctoral examination, or be enrolled in a reading course the same semester as the exam. Students are permitted three attempts at passing each foreign language or research skill. Three methods of demonstrating reading knowledge for all approved languages except Old English are acceptable:

• Presenting 16 hours, four semesters, or the equivalent of undergraduate credit, earned with an average of C or better.
• Passing a graduate reading course at the University of Kansas or peer institution (e.g., French 100, German 100, etc.) with a grade of C or higher. In the past, some of these reading courses have been given by correspondence; check with the Division of Continuing Education for availability.
• Passing a translation examination given by a designated member of the English Department faculty or by the appropriate foreign language department at KU. The exam is graded pass/fail and requires the student to translate as much as possible of a representative text in the foreign language in a one-hour period, using a bilingual dictionary.
• Passing a translation examination given by the appropriate foreign language department at the M.A.-granting institution. Successful completion must be reflected either on the M.A. transcript or by a letter from the degree-granting department.

To fulfill the language requirement using Old English, students must successfully complete ENGL 710 (Introduction to Old English) and ENGL 712 (Beowulf).

Post-Coursework Ph.D. students must submit, with their committee chair(s), an annual review form to the DGS and Graduate Committee.

Doctoral students must take their doctoral examination within three semesters (excluding summers) of the end of the semester in which they took their final required course. If a student has an Incomplete, the timeline is not postponed until the Incomplete is resolved. For example, a student completing doctoral course work in Spring 2018 will need to schedule their doctoral exam no later than the end of Fall semester 2019. Delays may be granted by petition to the Graduate Director in highly unusual circumstances. Failure to take the exam within this time limit without an approved delay will result in the student’s falling out of good standing. For details on the consequences of falling out of good standing, see “Falling Out of Good Standing,” in General Department Policies and Best Practices.

A student may not take their doctoral exam until the university’s Research Skills and Responsible Scholarship requirement is fulfilled (ENGL 800 or equivalent and reading knowledge of one foreign language or equivalent).

Doctoral Exam Requirements

Reading Lists

All students are required to submit three reading lists, based on the requirements below, to their committee for approval. The doctoral exam will be held on a date at least twelve weeks after the approval from the whole committee is received. To facilitate quick committee approval, students may copy the graduate program coordinator on the email to the committee that contains the final version of the lists. Committee members may then respond to the email in lieu of signing a printed copy. Students should work with their committee chair and graduate program coordinator to schedule the exam at the same time as they finalize the lists.

During the two-hour oral examination (plus an additional 15-30 minutes for a break and committee deliberation), a student will be tested on their comprehension of a literary period or movement, including multiple genres and groups of authors within that period or movement. In addition, the student will be tested on two of the following six areas of study:

• An adjacent or parallel literary period or movement,
• An author or group of related authors,
• Criticism and literary theory,
• Composition theory, and
• English language.

No title from any field list may appear on either of the other two lists. See Best Practices section for more details on these six areas. See below for a description of the Review of the Dissertation Proposal (RDP), which the candidate takes the semester after passing the doctoral exam.

While many students confer with the DGS as they  begin  the process of developing their lists, they are also required to submit a copy of their  final  exam list to the DGS. Most lists will be left intact, but the DGS might request that overly long lists be condensed, or extremely short lists be expanded.

Review of Literature

The purpose of the Review of Literature is to develop and demonstrate an advanced awareness of the critical landscape for each list. The student will write an overview of the defining attributes of the field, identifying two or three broad questions that animate scholarly discussion, while using specific noteworthy texts from their list ( but not all texts on the list ) as examples.

The review also must accomplish the following:

• consider the historical context of major issues, debates, and trends that factor into the emergence of the field
• offer a historical overview of scholarship in the field that connects the present to the past
• note recent trends and emergent lines of inquiry
• propose questions about (develop critiques of, and/or identify gaps in) the field and how they might be pursued in future study (but not actually proposing or referencing a dissertation project)

For example, for a literary period, the student might include an overview of primary formal and thematic elements, of the relationship between literary and social/historical developments, of prominent movements, (etc.), as well as of recent critical debates and topics.

For a genre list, the Review of Literature might include major theories of its constitution and significance, while outlining the evolution of these theories over time.

For a Rhetoric and Composition list, the review would give an overview of major historical developments, research, theories, methods, debates, and trends of scholarship in the field.

For an English Language Studies (ELS) list, the review would give an overview of the subfields that make up ELS, the various methodological approaches to language study, the type of sources used, and major aims and goals of ELS. The review also usually involves a focus on one subfield of particular interest to the student (such as stylistics, sociolinguistics, or World/Postcolonial Englishes).

Students are encouraged to divide reviews into smaller sections that enhance clarity and organization. Students are not expected to interact with every text on their lists.

The review of literature might be used to prepare students for identifying the most important texts in the field, along with why those texts are important to the field, for the oral exam. It is recommended for students to have completed reading the bulk of (if not all) texts on their lists before writing the ROL.

The Reviews of Literature will not be produced in an exam context, but in the manner of papers that are researched and developed in consultation with all advisors/committee members,  with final drafts being distributed within a reasonable time for all members to review and approve in advance of the 3-week deadline . While the Review of Literature generally is not the focus of the oral examination, it is frequently used as a point of departure for questions and discussion during the oral examination.

Doctoral Exam Committee

Exam committees typically consist of 3 faculty members from the department—one of whom serves as the Committee Chair—plus a Graduate Studies Representative. University policy dictates the composition of exam committees. Students may petition for an exception for several committee member situations, with the exception of  the Graduate Studies Representative .

If a student wants to have as a committee member a person outside the university, or a person who is not in a full-time tenure-track professorship at KU, the student must contact the Graduate Secretary as early as possible. Applications for special graduate faculty status must be reviewed by the College and Graduate Studies. Requests for exam/defense approval will not be approved unless all committee members currently hold either regular or special graduate faculty status.

Remote participation of committee members via technology

Students with committee members who plan to attend the defense via remote technology must be aware of  college policy on teleconferencing/remote participation of committee members .

The recommended time between completion of coursework and the doctoral examination is two semesters.

Final exam lists need to be approved and signed by the committee at least 12 weeks prior to the prospective exam date and submitted to the Graduate Program Coordinator. Reviews of Literature need to be approved and signed by the committee at least 3 weeks prior to the exam date. Failure to meet this deadline will result in rescheduling the exam. No further changes to lists or Reviews of Literature will be allowed after official approval. The three-week deadline is the faculty deadline--the last date for them to confirm receipt of the ROLs and confer approval--not necessarily the student deadline for submitting the documents to the faculty. Please keep that timing in mind and allow your committee adequate time to review the materials and provide feedback.

Students taking the Doctoral Exam are allowed to bring their text lists, the approved Reviews of Literature, scratch paper, a writing utensil, and notes/writing for an approximately 5-minute introductory statement to the exam. (This statement does not need to lay out ideas or any aspect of the dissertation project.)

Each portion of the oral examination must be deemed passing before the student can proceed to the Review of the Dissertation Proposal. If a majority of the committee judges that the student has not answered adequately on one of the three areas of the exam, the student must repeat that portion in a separate oral exam of one hour, to be taken as expeditiously as possible.  Failure in two areas constitutes failure of the exam and requires a retake of the whole.  The doctoral examining committee will render a judgment of Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory on the entire examination. A student who fails the exam twice may, upon successful petition to the Graduate Committee, take it a third and final time.

Students cannot bring snacks, drinks, treats, or gifts for committee members to the exam. Professors should avoid the appearance of favoritism that may occur if they bring treats to some student exams but not others.

Purposes of the Doctoral Exam

• To establish goals, tone, and direction for the pursuit of the Ph.D. in English for the Department and for individual programs of study;
• To make clear the kinds of knowledge and skills that, in the opinion of the Department, all well-prepared holders of the degree should have attained;
• To provide a means for the Department to assess each candidate’s control of such knowledge and skills in order to certify that the candidate is prepared to write a significant dissertation and enter the profession; and
• To enable the Department to recommend to the candidate areas of strength or weakness that should be addressed.

In consultation with the Graduate Director, a student will ask a member of the Department’s graduate faculty (preferably their advisor) to be the chairperson of the examining committee. The choice of examination committee chair is very important, for that person’s role is to assist the candidate in designing the examination structure, preparing the Review of Literature (see below), negotiating reading lists and clarifying their purposes, and generally following procedures here outlined. The other three English Department members of the committee will be chosen in consultation with the committee chair. (At some point an additional examiner from outside the Department, who serves as the Graduate School representative, will be invited to join the committee). Any unresolved problems in negotiation between a candidate and their committee should be brought to the attention of the Graduate Director, who may choose to involve the Graduate Committee. A student may request a substitution in, or a faculty member may ask to be dismissed from, the membership of the examining committee. Such requests must be approved, in writing, by the faculty member leaving the committee and by the Graduate Director.

Copies of some approved reading lists and Reviews of Literature are available from the Graduate Secretary and can be found on the U: drive if you are using a computer on campus. Despite the goal of fairness and equity, some unavoidable unevenness and disparity will appear in the length of these lists. It remains, however, the responsibility of the examining committee, and especially the student’s chair, to aim toward consonance with the most rigorous standards and expectations and to insure that areas of study are not unduly narrow.

To facilitate quick committee approval, students may copy the graduate secretary on the email to the committee that contains the final version of the lists and reviews of literature. Committee members may then respond to the email in lieu of signing a printed copy.

Criteria for Reading Lists

Comprehension of a literary period (e.g., British literature of the 18th century; Romanticism; US literature of the 19th century; Modernism) entails sufficient intellectual grasp of both the important primary works of and secondary works on the period or movement to indicate a student’s ability to teach the period or movement and undertake respectable scholarship on it.

Comprehension of an author or group of related authors (e.g., Donne, the Brontës, the Bloomsbury Group, the Black Mountain Poets) entails knowledge, both primary and secondary, of a figure or figures whose writing has generated a significant body of interrelated biographical, historical, and critical scholarship.

Comprehension of one of several genres (the short story, the lyric poem, the epistolary novel). To demonstrate comprehension of a genre, a student should possess sufficient depth and breadth of knowledge, both primary and secondary, of the genre to explain its formal characteristics and account for its historical development.

Comprehension of criticism and literary theory entails a grasp of fundamental conceptual problems inherent in a major school of literary study (e.g., historicist, psychoanalytic, feminist, poststructuralist, etc.). To demonstrate comprehension of that school of criticism and literary theory, a student should be able to discuss changes in its conventions and standards of interpretation and evaluation of literature from its beginning to the present. Students will be expected to possess sufficient depth and breadth of theoretical knowledge to bring appropriate texts and issues to bear on questions of literary study.

Comprehension of composition theory entails an intellectual grasp of fundamental concepts, issues, and theories pertaining to the study of writing. To demonstrate comprehension of composition theory, students should be able to discuss traditional and current issues from a variety of perspectives, as well as the field’s historical development from classical rhetoric to the present.

Comprehension of the broad field of English language studies entails a grasp of the field’s theoretical concepts and current issues, as well as a familiarity with significant works within given subareas. Such subareas will normally involve formal structures (syntax, etc.) and history of the English language, along with other subareas such as social linguistics, discourse analysis, lexicography, etc. Areas of emphasis and specific sets of topics will be arranged through consultation with relevant faculty.

Ph.D. candidates must be continuously enrolled in Dissertation hours each Fall and Spring semester from the time they pass the doctoral examination until successful completion of the final oral examination (defense of dissertation).

• Students enroll for a minimum of 6 hours each Fall and Spring semester until the total of post-doctoral exam Dissertation hours is 18. One hour each semester must be ENGL 999. In order to more quickly reach the 18-hour minimum, and to be sooner eligible for GRAships, it is highly recommended that students enroll in 9 hours of Dissertation in the Spring and Fall semesters. 
• Once a student has accumulated 18 post-doctoral exam  hours, each subsequent enrollment will be for a number of hours agreed upon as appropriate between the student and their advisor, the minimal enrollment each semester being 1 hour of ENGL 999.
• A student must be enrolled in at least one hour of credit at KU during the semester they graduate. Although doctoral students must be enrolled in ENGL 999 while working on their dissertations, per current CLAS regulations, there is no absolute minimum number of ENGL 999 hours required for graduation.
• Students who live and work outside the Lawrence area may, under current University regulations, have their fees assessed at the Field Work rate, which is somewhat lower than the on-campus rate. Students must petition the College Office of Graduate Affairs before campus fees will be waived.

Please also refer to  the COGA policy on post-exam enrollment  or the  Graduate School’s policy .

As soon as possible following successful completion of the doctoral exam, the candidate should establish their three-person core dissertation committee, and then expeditiously proceed to the preparation of a dissertation proposal.  Within the semester following completion of the doctoral exam , the student will present to their core dissertation committee a written narrative of approximately  10-15 pages , not including bibliography, of the dissertation proposal. While the exam schedule is always contingent on student progress, in the first two weeks of the semester in which they intend to take the review , students will work with their committee chair and the graduate program coordinator to schedule the 90-minute RDP. Copies of this proposal must be submitted to the members of the dissertation committee no later than  three weeks prior  to the scheduled examination date.

In the proposal, students will be expected to define: the guiding question or set of questions; a basic thesis (or hypothesis); how the works to be studied or the creative writing produced relate to that (hypo)thesis; the theoretical/methodological model to be followed; the overall formal divisions of the dissertation; and how the study will be situated in the context of prior scholarship (i.e., its importance to the field). The narrative section should be followed by a bibliography demonstrating that the candidate is conversant with the basic theoretical and critical works pertinent to the study. For creative writing students, the proposal may serve as a draft of the critical introduction to the creative dissertation. Students are expected to consult with their projected dissertation committee concerning the preparation of the proposal.

The review will focus on the proposal, although it could also entail determining whether or not the candidate’s knowledge of the field is adequate to begin the composition process. The examination will be graded pass/fail. If it is failed, the committee will suggest areas of weakness to be addressed by the candidate, who will rewrite the proposal and retake the review  by the end of the following semester . If the candidate abandons the entire dissertation project for another, a new RDP will be taken. (For such a step to be taken, the change would need to be drastic, such as a move to a new field or topic. A change in thesis or the addition or subtraction of one or even several works to be examined would not necessitate a new proposal and defense.)  If the student fails to complete the Review of the Dissertation Proposal within a year of the completion of the doctoral exams, they will have fallen out of departmental good standing.  For details on the consequences of falling out of good standing, see “Falling Out of Good Standing,” in General Department Policies and Best Practices.

After passing the Review of the Dissertation Proposal, the student should forward one signed copy of the proposal to the Graduate Program Coordinator. The RDP may last no longer than 90 minutes.

Students cannot bring snacks, drinks, treats, or gifts for committee members to the review. Professors should avoid the appearance of favoritism that may occur if they bring treats to some student exams but not others.

The Graduate Catalog states that the doctoral candidate “must present a dissertation showing the planning, conduct and results of original research, and scholarly creativity.”

The dissertation committee will consist of at least four members—two “core” English faculty members, a third faculty member (usually from English), and one faculty member from a different department who serves as the Graduate Studies representative. The committee may include (with the Graduate Director’s approval) members from other departments and, with the approval of the University’s Graduate Council, members from outside the University. If a student wants to have a committee member from outside the university, or a person who is not in a full-time tenure-track professorship at KU, the student must contact the Graduate Program Coordinator as early as possible. Applications for special graduate faculty status must be reviewed by the College and the Office of Graduate Studies. Requests for defense approval will not be approved unless all committee members currently hold either regular or special graduate faculty status.

The candidate’s preferences as to the membership of the dissertation committee will be carefully considered; the final decision, however, rests with the Department and with the Office of Graduate Studies. All dissertation committees must get approval from the Director of Graduate Studies before scheduling the final oral exam (defense). Furthermore, any changes in the make-up of the dissertation committee from the Review of the Dissertation Proposal committee must be approved by the Director of Graduate Studies.

Once the dissertation proposal has passed and the writing of the dissertation begins, membership of the dissertation committee should remain constant. However, under extraordinary circumstances, a student may request a substitution in, or a faculty member may ask to be dismissed from, the membership of the dissertation committee. Such requests must be approved, in writing, by the faculty member leaving the committee and by the Graduate Director.

If a student does not make progress during the dissertation-writing stage, and accumulates more than one “Limited Progress” and/or “No Progress” grade on their transcript, they will fall out of good standing in the department. For details on the consequences of falling out of good standing, see “Falling Out of Good Standing,” in General Department Policies and Best Practices.            

When the dissertation has been tentatively accepted by the dissertation committee (not including the Graduate Studies Representative), the final oral examination will be held, on the recommendation of the Department. While the exam schedule is always contingent on student progress, in the first two weeks of the semester in which they intend to defend the dissertation, students should work with their committee chair and graduate program coordinator to schedule it.

Although the dissertation committee is responsible for certification of the candidate, any member of the graduate faculty may be present at the examination and participate in the questioning, and one examiner—the Graduate Studies Representative—must be from outside the Department. The Graduate Secretary can help students locate an appropriate Grad Studies Rep. The examination normally lasts no more than two hours. It is the obligation of the candidate to advise the Graduate Director that they plan to take the oral examination; this must be done at least one month before the date proposed for the examination.

At least three calendar weeks prior to the defense date, the student will submit the final draft of the dissertation to all the committee members (including the GSR) and the Graduate Program Coordinator. Failure to meet this deadline will necessitate rescheduling the defense.  

The final oral examination for the Ph.D. in English is, essentially, a defense of the dissertation. When it is passed, the dissertation itself is graded by the dissertation director, in consultation with the student’s committee; the student’s performance in the final examination (defense) is graded by the entire five-person committee.

Students cannot bring snacks, drinks, treats, or gifts for committee members to the defense. Professors should avoid the appearance of favoritism that may occur if they bring treats to some student defenses but not others.

These sets of attributes are adapted from the Graduate Learner Outcomes that are a part of our Assessment portfolio. “Honors” should only be given to dissertations that are rated “Outstanding” in all or most of the following categories:

• Introduction/Statement of the Problem/Focus/Thesis is significant and innovative; the introduction clearly places the problem/focus/thesis in context.
• The doctoral candidate demonstrates a full and up-to-date grounding in existing literature; the writer also engages in an extensive critique of the literature, not just a summary of it.
• The doctoral candidate thoroughly understands methodology/approach/theory. Their application of methodology/approach/theory is innovative and convincing.
• Summary of materials under examination is clear, concise, and insightful.
• Detailed discussion of the implications of the research and future directions for research.
• The dissertation demonstrates original and sophisticated analysis. Novel, important conclusions are drawn, and the results are thoroughly contextualized.

After much discussion about whether the “honors” designation assigned after the dissertation defense should be for the written product only, for the defense/discussion only, for both together, weighted equally, or eradicated altogether, the department voted to accept the Graduate Committee recommendation that “honors” only apply to the written dissertation. "Honors" will be given to dissertations that are rated "Outstanding" in all or most of the categories on the dissertation rubric.

Normally, the dissertation will present the results of the writer’s own research, carried on under the direction of the dissertation committee. This means that the candidate should be in regular contact with all members of the committee during the dissertation research and writing process, providing multiple drafts of chapters, or sections of chapters, according to the arrangements made between the student and each faculty member. Though accepted primarily for its scholarly merit rather than for its rhetorical qualities, the dissertation must be stylistically competent. The Department has accepted the MLA Handbook as the authority in matters of style. The writer may wish to consult also  the Chicago Manual of Style  and Kate L. Turabian’s  A Manual for Writers of Dissertations, Theses, and Term Papers .

Naturally, both the student and the dissertation committee have responsibilities and obligations to each other concerning the submitting and returning of materials. The student should plan on working steadily on the dissertation; if they do so, they should expect from the dissertation committee a reasonably quick reading and assessment of material submitted.

Students preparing their dissertation should be showing chapters to their committee members as they go along, for feedback and revision suggestions. They should also meet periodically with committee members to assess their progress. Prior to scheduling a defense, the student is encouraged to ask committee members whether they feel that the student is ready to defend the dissertation. Ideally, the student should hold the defense only when they have consulted with committee members sufficiently to feel confident that they have revised the dissertation successfully to meet the expectations of all committee members.

Students should expect that they will need to revise each chapter at least once. This means that all chapters (including introduction and conclusion) are shown to committee members once, revised, then shown to committee members again in revised form to assess whether further revisions are needed, prior to the submitting of the final dissertation as a whole. It is not unusual for further revisions to be required and necessary after the second draft of a chapter; students should not therefore simply assume that a second draft is necessarily “final” and passing work.

If a substantial amount of work still needs to be completed or revised at the point that the dissertation defense is scheduled, such a defense date should be regarded as tentative, pending the successful completion, revision, and receipt of feedback on all work. Several weeks prior to the defense, students should consult closely with their dissertation director and committee members about whether the dissertation as a whole is in a final and defensible stage. A project is ready for defense when it is coherent, cohesive, well researched, engages in sophisticated analysis (in its entirety or in the critical introduction of creative dissertations), and makes a significant contribution to the field. In other words, it passes each of the categories laid out in the Dissertation Rubric.

If the dissertation has not clearly reached a final stage, the student and dissertation director are advised to reschedule the defense.

Prior Publication of the Doctoral Dissertation

Portions of the material written by the doctoral candidate may appear in article form before completion of the dissertation. Prior publication does not ensure the acceptance of the dissertation by the dissertation committee. Final acceptance of the dissertation is subject to the approval of the dissertation committee. Previously published material by other authors included in the dissertation must be properly documented.

Each student beyond the master’s degree should confer regularly with the Graduate Director regarding their progress toward the doctoral examination and the doctorate.

Doctoral students may take graduate courses outside the English Department if, in their opinion and that of the Graduate Director, acting on behalf of the Graduate Committee, those courses will be of value to them. Their taking such courses will not, of course, absolve them of the responsibility for meeting all the normal departmental and Graduate School requirements.

Doctoral students in creative writing are strongly encouraged to take formal literature classes in addition to forms classes. Formal literature classes, by providing training in literary analysis, theory, and/or literary history, will help to prepare students for doctoral exams (and future teaching at the college level).

FALL SEMESTER            

• GTAs take 2 courses (801 + one), teach 2 courses; GRAs take 3 courses.
• Visit assigned advisor once a month to update on progress & perceptions. 1st-year advisors can assist with selecting classes for the Spring semester, solidifying and articulating a field of specialization, advice about publishing, conferences, professionalization issues, etc.

SPRING SEMESTER

• GTAs take 2 courses (780/800/880 + one), teach 2 courses. GTAs also take ENGL 802 for 1 credit hour. GRAs take 3 courses.
• Visit assigned advisor or DGS once during the semester; discuss best advisor choices for Year 2.

SUMMER SEMESTER

• Enroll in Summer Institute if topic and/or methodology matches interests.
• Consider conferences suited to your field and schedule; choose a local one for attendance in Year 2 and draft an Abstract for a conference paper (preferably with ideas/materials/ writing drawn from a seminar paper).  Even if abstract is not accepted, you can attend the conference without the pressure of presenting.
• Attend at least one conference to familiarize yourself with procedure, network with other grad students and scholars in your field, AND/OR present a paper.

FALL SEMESTER

• Take 2 courses, teach 2 courses.
• Visit advisor in person at least once during the semester.

WINTER BREAK

• Begin revising one of your seminar papers/independent study projects/creative pieces for submission to a journal; research the journals most suited to placement of your piece.
• Begin thinking about fields and texts for comprehensive examinations.
• Choose an advisor to supervise you through the doctoral examination process.
• Visit assigned 1st-year advisor in person at least once during the semester (at least to formally request doctoral exam supervision OR to notify that you are changing advisors).
• Summer teaching, if eligible.
• Continue revising paper/creative writing for submission to a journal.
• Begin reading for comprehensive exams.
• Attend one conference and present a paper. Apply for one-time funding for out-of-state travel  from Graduate Studies .
• Teach 2 courses; take 997 (exam prep).
• Finalize comps list by end of September; begin drafting rationales.
• Circulate the draft of your article/creative piece to your advisor, other faculty in the field, and/or advanced grad students in the field for suggestions.
• Revise article/creative piece with feedback from readers.
• Teach 2 courses; take 997 or 999 (dissertation hours). Enroll in 999 if you plan to take your comps this semester, even if you don’t take them until the last day of classes.
• Take comps sometime between January and May.
• Summer teaching, if available.
• Submit article/creative work for publication.
• Continuous enrollment after completing doctoral exam (full policy on p. 20)
• Research deadlines for grant applications—note deadlines come early in the year.
• Attend one conference and present a paper.
• Teach 2 courses, take 999.
• Compose dissertation proposal by November.
• Schedule Review of Dissertation Proposal (RDP—formerly DPR).
• Apply for at least one grant or fellowship, such as a departmental-level GRAship or dissertation fellowship. (Winning a full-year, non-teaching fellowship can cut down your years-to-degree to 5 ½, or even 5 years.)
• Conduct research for and draft at least 1 dissertation chapter.
• Conduct research and complete a draft of at least 1 dissertation chapter.
• Revise & resubmit journal article, if necessary.
• Attend 1st round of job market meetings with Job Placement Advisor (JPA) to start drafting materials and thinking about the process.
• Research and complete a draft of at least 1 dissertation chapter, if teaching (1-2 chapters if not).
• Visit dissertation chair  and  committee members in person at least once during the semester.
• Research and complete a draft of at least 1 dissertation chapter (1-2 chapters if not teaching).
• Apply for a departmental grant or fellowship, or, if already held, try applying for one from outside the department, such as those offered by KU’s Hall Center for the Humanities or the Office of Graduate Studies. For  a monthly list of funding opportunities , visit the Graduate Studies website.
• Research and complete a draft of at least 1 dissertation chapter.
• Attend job market meetings with JPA in earnest.
• Apply for external grants, research fellowships, postdoctoral positions with fall deadlines (previous fellowship applications, your dissertation proposal, and subsequent writing should provide a frame so that much of the application can be filled out with the “cut & paste” function).
• Research and complete a draft of at least 1 dissertation chapter (1-2 if not teaching).
• Visit dissertation chair and committee members in person at least once during the semester.
• Polish dissertation chapters.
• Apply for grants and fellowships with spring deadlines.
• Defend dissertation.

Graduate Contacts

• Associate Professor
• Director of Graduate Studies

• Graduate Program Coordinator

Graduate Student Handbook

• Enroll & Pay
• Prospective Students
• Current Students
• Current Faculty

Counseling Psychology Program Curriculum & Admission Requirements

Program structure, residency requirement, practicum experience, more program structure, comprehensive examination, dissertation, program curriculum.

The program’s curriculum reflects a "scientist-practitioner" model to prepare clinicians who apply the best and most current theory and research to their practice, and academicians who are grounded in the realities of practice. The student will work closely with an advisor to determine a plan of study. The curriculum requirements outlined below are the minimum required for the degree. To be adequately prepared for an intended career, the student’s advisor may encourage additional coursework or opportunities which may include presenting and/or publishing scholarly papers.

Core Requirements

Please note, this is a potential plan of study. Please consult with your faculty advisor before enrolling.

Application Deadline

Graduate admission.

The Counseling Psychology Doctoral program accepts approximately six to eight students each year. Both bachelor's level and master's level applicants are considered for admission. 

Recommended minimums when applying to Ph.D. program with a bachelor's degree:

• The completion of a bachelor's degree in psychology or a related field.
• An overall undergraduate GPA of 3.00 covering all college credits taken prior to the bachelor's degree, or 3.25 for the major courses or the last 60 credits of the bachelor’s degree.

Recommended minimums when applying to Ph.D. program with a master's degree:

• The completion of a Master's degree in counseling or a closely related field.
• Graduate GPA of 3.50 or above.

International applicants are strongly encouraged to complete the application process well in advance of the application deadlines, in order to ensure adequate time for processing of visa related paperwork. Meeting minimum admission standards does not guarantee admission to the program. Applicants are welcome to contact one (or more) of the faculty members in the department prior to applying for the doctoral program, however it is not required.

Application Checklist

Ph.d. in counseling psychology.

Applicants are required to submit the following materials and meet the following requirements before the application deadline:

Online application

Complete through the KU Office of Graduate Admissions

Transcripts

One official copy of academic transcripts from each college or university attended

English translation of transcripts

Official transcripts from an international university must include an English translation

Resume or CV

Statement of intent.

1-2 page statement outlining one’s background and professional objectives

Online letters of recommendation

Names and email addresses of persons to be asked to complete letters of recommendation who can provide a thorough evaluation of one’s abilities at the graduate level

Proof of English proficiency

Non-native English speakers must demonstrate English proficiency: The program requires an average TOEFL score of 24 or above, with no section score lower than 23

Financial document (international students only)

Required by U.S. government in order to issue the I-20 or DS-2019

Application fee

$65 for U.S. residents; $85 for international applicants

Admission & Curriculum Resources

The online application is designed to give applicants the ability to submit all supporting documents in one form. We invite you to explore our graduate degree information, review our student resources, and learn more on our knowledgeable faculty and the vibrant community of Lawrence, Kansas.

Related Info:

• Forms & Documents
• Academic Catalog
• Department Course List
• Graduate admission
• Tuition & costs
• Program Data
• Schedule of Classes

Program Faculty

Graduate School of Health and Medical Sciences

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• Approval of applications regarding extension of the PhD study, changes in the group of supervisors, part-time studies or leave of absence 

What to do?

• When you receive an email from the Graduate School regarding a new task, log in to   PhD Planner   with your UCPH user account and password
• Under "My tasks" you will find your open task(s)
• Click on "Send to PhD administration"  and read the information provided by the PhD student and provide your assessment

HOW DO I GET HELP?

You are always welcome to contact the Graduate School:

Call us at (+45) 35 32 65 70 - Lines are open Monday to Thursday 10.00-15.00 and Friday 10-14. Email us at  [email protected] - remember to state your full name and a phone number.

We will then redirect you to one of the PhD Planner supporters.

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Program Overview and Timeline

a) Participate in PREP orientation events beginning in early July. In 2024, PREP orientation will begin Monday, July 8. PREP orientation consists of professional development workshops, activities to help familiarize incoming scholars with KU and Lawrence, and social activities b) Develop an individualized development plan (IDP) with the help of the program coordinator c) Select a faculty mentor with the help of the program coordinator

Fall Semester

a) Participate in PREP research, 30 hours/week b) Complete BIOL 420/701: How to Apply to Graduate School (1 credit hour) c) Complete BIOL 420/701: Scientific Writing (1 credit hour) d) Complete additional graduate/undergraduate-level discipline specific coursework (4 credit hours) e) Participate in program meetings, individual meetings with the program coordinator, and professional development activities f) Travel to SACNAS and/or ABRCMS conference g) Prepare and submit graduate program applications

Spring Semester

a) Participate in PREP research, 30 hours/week b) Complete BIOL 420/701: Responsible Conduct of Research (1 credit hour) c) Option to enroll in BIOL 420/701: Statistics for Biomedical Research (2 credit hours) d) Complete additional discipline specific coursework (3 - 5 credit hours) e) Participate in graduate program interviews f) Opportunity to present PREP research at discipline-specific conferences g) Present research progress at the Haskell / KU Student Research Symposium in April h) Participate in program meetings, individual meetings with the program coordinator, and professional development activities

Wrap up PREP research and transition out of PREP research lab. PREP ends June 30.

PhD School of SCIENCE

Check out the available PhD positions at UCPH

See theses from our PhD students

The PhD school of SCIENCE organises training and education of researchers within all areas of science, with a view to ensure the highest scientific level among the next generations of researchers. The PhD school aims to train PhD candidates with all the required scientific skills plus complementary competencies at the highest level.

The PhD programme at SCIENCE lasts three years and includes an independent research project, stays at other/international research institution(s), PhD level courses, teaching and other types of knowledge dissemination. The PhD is concluded by writing and defending a PhD thesis.

Rules and guidelines

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Postgraduate Programs

Scholarships.

Khalifa University’s interdisciplinary Master’s degree and PhD programs are focused on the skills and sectors in greatest demand regionally and internationally. Our internationally renowned faculty give students hands-on training and guidance to become world-class problem-solvers. Students work in our cutting-edge labs and on-site with our industry partners to hone their scientific and technical skills.

To date, Khalifa University has awarded over 1,800 master’s and doctoral degrees to qualifying students.

Graduate programs, at both Master’s and PhD levels, are offered in both the College of Engineering and the College of Arts and Sciences. The University offers 20 Master’s degree programs, of which some offer optional concentrations, and six PhD degree programs, one of which offers eleven optional concentrations.

Postgraduate Admissions for Fall 2024 are now open until April 30, 2024.

Khalifa University of Science and Technology offers a range of graduate programs designed for the pursuit of advanced specialized knowledge and skills in engineering, medicine, security, science and technology. Students engage in cutting-edge research and formulate innovative solutions to contemporary global challenges. Selected programs also allow students to focus their coursework in a chosen area via an optional track or concentration.

• Space Systems and Technology
• Guidance, Navigation, and Control Systems
• Food Process Engineering and Technology
• Metallurgical Engineering
• Master of Science in Civil and Infrastructural Engineering
• Master of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering
• Technology Management, Innovation and Entrepreneurship
• Complex Systems Acquisition and Management
• Master of Science in Health Systems Management - NEW
• Master of Science in Nuclear Engineering
• Master of Science in Petroleum Engineering
• Master of Science in Water and Environmental Engineering
• Master of Engineering in Health, Safety and Environmental Engineering
• Master of Science in Applied Chemistry
• Master of Science in Medical Physics
• Master of Science in Petroleum Geosciences
• Aerospace Engineering
• Chemical Engineering
• Civil Infrastructure and Environmental Engineering
• Electrical and Computer Engineering
• Engineering Systems and Management
• Material Science and Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering
• Nuclear Engineering (offered to UAE and Saudi Nationals only)
• Petroleum Engineering
• Doctor of Philosophy in Chemistry
• Doctor of Philosophy in Earth Sciences
• Doctor of Philosophy in Physics

College Of Computing And Mathematical Sciences

• Computational Systems
• Data Analytics
• Artificial Intelligence
• Master of Science in Applied Mathematics
• Doctor of Philosophy in Mathematics

COLLEGE OF MEDICINE AND HEALTH SCIENCES

• Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering
• Master of Science in Molecular Life Sciences
• Biomedical Engineering
• Doctor of Philosophy in Molecular Life Sciences
• PhD in Biomedical Sciences
• PhD in Public Health

PG Academic Catalogues

Khalifa University of Science and Technology offers its graduate students comprehensive scholarships that cover all necessary educational expenses and may also offer recipients the potential to earn an attractive monthly stipend. The scholarships available are as follows:

The Buhooth Scholarship Program is an ambitious initiative that aims to achieve the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, to transform the UAE into a center of excellence in engineering and science research. The initiative offers Master’s and Doctorate scholarships to UAE Nationals with the aim of promoting graduate studies and research, as well as developing specialized human capital in the areas of science and engineering for the benefit of national institutions.

Students accepted to the Buhooth program will be registered in selected Master’s and Doctorate programs offered by Khalifa University of Science and Technology, or top international universities.

Buhooth Scholarship Benefits

Please note that scholarship benefits are subject to change.

• Monthly stipend
• Full coverage of tuition fees
• Support to attend international research conferences
• Opportunity to visit international research centers

There are two types of Buhooth Scholarship:

1) UAE-Based Buhooth

This scholarship will provide an opportunity for applicants to pursue Master’s and Doctorate degree studies at Khalifa University of Science and Technology.

• The scholarship will be open for selected majors only, as determined by Khalifa University of Science and Technology.
• Under the conditions of the scholarship, an applicant holding a Bachelor’s degree must sign a contract committing to completing their Master’s degree at Khalifa University of Science and Technology.
• Under the conditions of the scholarship, an applicant holding a Master’s degree must sign a contract committing to complete their Doctorate degree at Khalifa University of Science and Technology.
• The indicative monthly stipend for UAE-based Buhooth Scholarship is as follows (subject to change):

During MSc:     Single AED 30,000      Married AED 33,000 During PhD:     Single AED 36,000      Married AED 39,000

2)   International Buhooth

This scholarship aims to provide an opportunity for applicants to pursue Master’s and Doctorate degree studies at top international universities.

• The scholarship is open for selected majors only, as determined by Khalifa University of Science and Technology.
• The scholarship is highly competitive and will only be offered to a limited number of successful applicants each year.
• An applicant holding a Bachelor’s degree will sign a contract committing to complete both their Master’s and Doctorate degrees at the selected institution and then must accept employment in a suitable post for a defined period of time, which must be at least equal to the length of time of the study period.
• An applicant holding a Master’s degree will sign a contract committing to complete their Doctorate studies at the selected institution and then accept employment in a suitable post for a period of time which is at least equal to the study period.
• The stipend amount includes an additional allowance to UAE Nationals living outside the UAE.
• Recipients of this scholarship are placed on an “employment contract” and therefore are registered on the Abu Dhabi Retirement Pensions and Benefits Fund during the period of study and the period of employment that is included as part of the scholarship criteria.
• International Buhooth scholarship recipients will receive medical insurance for themselves, their spouse and eligible dependents.
• Recipients of this scholarship are eligible for yearly round trip airline tickets for themselves, their spouse and eligible dependents.

Eligibility Criteria for Buhooth Scholarship

• Applicants must be UAE Nationals.
• Applicants must satisfy the admission requirements of the academic program that they are applying to. Please note that admission is highly competitive and meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee entry into the program.
• In order to be considered for the International Buhooth Scholarship, applicants must have excellent credentials and provide a letter of offer from a top-ranked international institution. The letter should be submitted at the time of application to Khalifa University.

How to Apply

Please refer to the  Graduate Admissions   webpage for details on how to apply to Khalifa University of Science and Technology. Applicants are automatically considered for a graduate scholarship, if applicable. No additional scholarship application is required. The recipients will be confirmed at the conclusion of the admission process.

The KU MED Scholarship program supports students who have chosen to pursue a career that will positively impact on people’s lives. This program offers scholarships to all students to support graduate studies in medicine. Students who receive a Khalifa University (KU) MED Scholarship will be registered in the Pre-Medicine Bridge program. Please note that scholarship benefits are subject to change.

KU MED Scholarship for UAE Nationals

• A monthly stipend of AED27,000.
• Full university tuition paid by the university.
• Support to attend educational events locally and internationally.
• Housing in university accommodations at no cost, subject to availability.
• Textbooks are provided by the university.

KU MED Scholarship for Expatriates

Khalifa University of Science and Technology offers the following scholarships to support qualified international students enrolled in graduate programs on a full-time basis. The University reserves the right to make changes to the published scholarship benefits and conditions without prior notice.

• Master Research Teaching Scholarship (MRTS)

The MRTS scholarship supports international students pursuing a Master degree at Khalifa University. Scholarship benefits include:

• Full coverage of tuition fees.
• Medical insurance coverage for students sponsored by Khalifa University (student visa).
• Support to attend international research conferences.
• Mobilization and demobilization flight assistance for overseas international students.
• Monthly stipend of AED 4,000.
• Combined Master/Doctoral Research Teaching Scholarship (CMDRTS)

The CMDRTS scholarship supports international students pursuing both the Master’s and Doctorate degrees at Khalifa University. Students who wish to complete a Master degree only should apply for the MRTS scholarship. CMDRTS scholarship benefits include:

• During MSc:     AED 8,000
• During PhD:     AED 12,000
• Free University accommodation (or accommodation assistance of up to AED 2,000 per month if University accommodation is not available) for eligible students.
• Doctoral Research Teaching Scholarship (DRTS)

The DRTS scholarship supports international students pursuing a Doctorate degree at Khalifa University. Scholarship benefits include:

• Monthly stipend of AED 12,000.

Khalifa University of Science and Technology offers this scholarship to help employed UAE Nationals undertake graduate studies on a part-time basis. The scholarship provides full coverage of tuition fees.

During their graduate studies, students have the opportunity to conduct research within one of the research centers based at Khalifa University of Science and Technology. In order to be eligible for sponsorship, applicants must meet the eligibility criteria specific to the relevant center, as well as the admission requirements of the academic program to which they are applying.

Emirates ICT Innovation Center – EBTIC

EBTIC is an information and communications technology research and innovation center established by Etisalat, British Telecom, and Khalifa University of Science and Technology, with the support of UAE Telecommunications Regulatory Authority’s ICT Fund.

EBTIC aims to advance intelligent systems and technologies for the Next Generation Networks (NGNs) and NGN-enabled ICT applications and services, to put in place the support infrastructure to facilitate, develop and enable a digital-networked economy in the UAE and beyond.

Through collaboration with industry, universities and governmental organizations, EBTIC is expected to become a driving force for innovation in the field of NGN-enabled ICT applications and services, within the region and abroad.

EBTIC offers fully-funded Buhooth Scholarships for UAE National students wishing to undertake a Master’s or Doctorate degree on a full-time basis. Student research projects are linked to the major projects being undertaken within the Center.

Eligibility

Applicants must satisfy the admission requirements of the academic program to which they are applying and meet the eligibility criteria outlined for UAE-based Buhooth Scholarships.

Aerospace Research and Innovation Center (ARIC)

The Aerospace Research and Innovation Center (ARIC) was established in 2012 as a joint effort between Mubadala Aerospace and Khalifa University of Science, Technology and Research to undertake cutting-edge research in aerospace engineering.

The center focuses on developing new and novel techniques for manufacturing advanced composites and developing advanced procedures for the automated manufacturing and assembly of aerospace structures.

ARIC also acts as a global research hub, collaborating with leading universities across the world, developing research opportunities over a broad spectrum of areas, and assisting technology transfer and innovation possibilities across the aerospace sector.

ARIC offers fully-funded Buhooth Scholarships for UAE National students wishing to undertake a Master’s or Doctorate degree on a full-time basis. Its research projects are linked to the major projects being undertaken within ARIC and involve working closely with the aerospace industry on the latest technological challenges.

Khalifa University of Science and Technology (KU), in collaboration with the China Scholarship Council (CSC), offers the CSC- KU Scholarship to highly qualified Chinese nationals admitted to PhD in Engineering or science on a full-time basis.

PhD Scholarship Benefits

• Monthly stipend of AED 5,500 from Khalifa University and an additional stipend from CSC.
• Flight tickets provided by CSC.
• Full waiver of tuition fees and any research-associated fees.
• Free University accommodation (or accommodation assistance of up to AED 3,000 per month if University accommodation is not available).
• Free textbooks.
• Visa processing costs.
• UAE medical insurance.

Application

• Apply  online  for the PhD program at Khalifa University.
• After receiving the admission offer letter from Khalifa University, candidates must also apply to CSC by completing an application for funding and employer reference (forms are available online at  http://apply.csc.edu.cn ).

Scholarship Eligibility

To be eligible an applicant must:

• Be a citizen and permanent resident of the People’s Republic of China at the time of applying.
• Be approved for unconditional admission to a PhD program at Khalifa University.
• Have official approval for a scholarship award from CSC prior to first registration at Khalifa University.
• The PhD scholarship is awarded to successful applicants for up to a maximum of 48 months.

Other terms and Conditions

To continue to receive the CSC-KU Scholarship the student must:

• Register as a full-time student every semester, including the summer term.
• Maintain a minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 3.5 out of 4 during his/her study at Khalifa University.
• Comply with the policies, rules and regulations of Khalifa University.

Graduate Admission Application Deadlines

Spring 2022 admission for graduate programs will be open from 1 June 2021 until 16 October 2021. 

Admission decisions are released at different times, depending on when the complete application is submitted. Key admission round dates are summarized in the table below

All applicants are strongly encouraged to submit the completed application form and all the required documents as soon as possible. Please note:

* It is recommended that international applicants apply in the first admission round.  * Late applications submitted after the Round 2 deadline may be considered based on merit and subject to University strategic priorities. * Applicants can apply to only one program per semester. Applicants denied admission in one round cannot re-apply in another round.

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2024-2025 Contract and Cancellations

This page contains the full KU Student Housing contract terms for the 2024–2025 academic year, as well as cancellation dates and fees, and a calendar of other important housing dates. To apply for Student Housing, go to your myKU portal , look under the "services" tab, and choose "housing." Please read through the full contract terms here before signing in the myKU portal.

Fall 2024 - Spring 2025 Student Housing Contract Terms and Condition

• The term of this contract is for the entire Academic Year 2024-2025 or for the remainder of the Academic Year if signed after the start of the fall 2024 semester. Contracts that begin spring semester include only the spring semester.
• You must be an actively enrolled full-time student at the University to enter into this contract for residential space in KU Student Housing facilities, or otherwise determined eligible by the Director of KU Student Housing for good cause.
• The University requires you to receive the meningitis vaccine to reside in KU Student Housing facilities.
• Individuals who have a criminal or juvenile record involving a felony offense are not eligible for University housing. If the University becomes aware that you have a record of criminal conviction(s) or other actions indicating behavior that could pose a risk to person or property and/or could be injurious or disruptive to the residential housing community or the living/learning environment, the University may reject your application for housing, or may terminate or suspend this contract.
• Occupancy dates for this contract are listed on KU Student Housing’s website and are subject to change based on the University’s official academic calendar and assigned space. Consult the referenced website for your specific occupancy dates. Additional fees will apply if you take occupancy prior to the scheduled date.
• You must check-in by following check-in instructions provided to you for initial occupancy. Occupancy occurs when KU Student Housing issues a key or grants access on your KU Card to you for the assigned residential space. Actual physical occupancy of the residential space by you and/or placement of your possessions within the residential space is not necessary to constitute occupancy.

It is your responsibility to fulfill occupancy expectations by noon on the first day of classes each semester .

• You may not receive your assigned residential space if you do not check-in by noon on the first day of classes each semester and may be reassigned to a different space.
• Contact KU Student Housing in advance to arrange for late check-in. Failure to establish occupancy without advance notification and corresponding approval from KU Student Housing to delay the occupancy constitutes a breach of this contract . Non-occupancy of assigned residential space does not terminate this contract, and the appropriate charges under this contract will continue.
• You must follow check-out procedures when permanently vacating your assigned residential space. Unless you negotiate a modified check-out date, you must vacate within 24 hours following your last final examination each semester. Refer to the Failure to Vacate Policy below.
• You may select your preferred residential space and roommates after the contract completion date from currently available spaces. However, the University reserves the right to assign students to any Student Housing facility, even if not requested by the student; to move a student to another hall/room or cancel a student’s contract if the student does not adhere to the terms of this Contract or Student Housing policies; and to alter room/unit and hall assignments when deemed necessary.
• The University determines all reassignments or other occupancy changes. On rare occasions, you may be required to move to a different residential space in order to accommodate an individual with unique physical requirements, to address maintenance concerns, or resolve unforeseen situations.
• The University reserves all unoccupied space inside the housing unit for its use and future assignment. If you have contracted for partial residential space in a shared housing unit (e.g., shared bedroom, suite, apartment), the University may assign you a roommate at any time. The University can reassign you to a different residential space. Failure to move after reassignment or refusal of a roommate assignment by an established date will result in charges at the higher rate to you and referral to the student conduct process per the KU Student Housing Handbook.
• You may request to transfer between available residential spaces and/or buildings as space permits. Any transfer must be approved by KU Student Housing. Generally, the same policies and regulations apply in all residential spaces. When modified payment schedules, different amounts due, or new regulations apply, you agree to these changes as a condition of the transfer. The University may assess an administrative fee for the transfer request.
• If you require a reasonable accommodation in your assigned residential space due to a medical condition or disability, you must establish a file with University Academic Support Centers, 22 Strong Hall, 1450 Jayhawk Blvd., Lawrence, KS 66045. University Academic Support Centers will make a recommendation to KU Student Housing regarding your residential space needs.
• KU Student Housing hires and trains staff to participate with you and other residents in conflict resolution and to document incidents, initiating disciplinary action as appropriate.
• The University of Kansas is a residential academic community. As a resident in this community, you must comply with the policies and regulations in place to protect and promote educational activity, maintain order, and manage behavior affecting the freedom and privacy of others.
• You may use assigned space for personal residence only. Activity involving regular use of KU Student Housing facilities or services for personal financial gain is prohibited. You may not assign or transfer this contract or sublet or otherwise assign the residential space to another person.
• You give consent for your photograph or likeness and/or the residential space for use in publicity programs and other promotions created for The University of Kansas
• You have a limited right to privacy in your assigned residential space. The University reserves the right to enter living areas, locked or unlocked, including your assigned residential space, under conditions described in the KU Student Housing Handbook and at any time in the case of an  emergency, for immediate resolution of policy violations or disruption, to perform maintenance or welfare checks, and as authorized by another occupant.
• Maintenance requests initiated by you and/or your roommate(s) constitute permission to enter the space where maintenance or repair is to be completed.
• The University agrees to make all necessary repairs and perform maintenance in the facility and the resident’s space by authorized personnel. Repairs will be made to the room and University furnishings upon request or in accordance with routine schedules. Temporary inconvenience caused by malfunction of mechanical, electrical systems, plumbing, or any other component of the space does not warrant a refund.
• You agree to be directly and financially responsible for keeping the assigned space and its furnishings clean and free from damage, to cooperate with roommates in the common protection of property and in maintenance of the living space, and to advise the University of any deteriorated conditions of the room or its furnishings so timely repairs can be made. No furniture or bed parts may be removed from the space you are assigned.
• You agree to use public areas, residential corridors and rooms, and equipment and furnishings in a careful and proper manner, to contribute to the orderliness and cleanliness of all areas, to cooperate in the common protection of property, and to advise the University of any deteriorated or hazardous conditions so timely repairs can be made. Charges may be assessed for common area damages or special housekeeping or maintenance services necessary due to misuse or abuse of facilities or equipment for which the resident is determined to be responsible, or to pay an equal portion of charges assessed to all residents of a corridor, room/suite/apartment, or facility when those responsible cannot be identified by the building staff or the responsible individuals fail to assume the charges.
• All residents, visitors, and guests must abide by the laws of the state of Kansas and the conduct rules of the University. The resident is responsible for complying with the rules, policies, and regulations contained in this contract, the KU Student Housing Handbook available at https://housing.ku.edu/handbook , and other official publications, including: 1) The Code of Student Rights and Responsibilities for the University of Kansas, 2) The University of Kansas Parking Regulations, and 3) The University of Kansas Policy Library available at https://policy.ku.edu/ . The terms of the policies and regulations may change from time to time. It is the resident’s responsibility to review regularly the Handbook to ensure awareness of and adherence to the current terms.
• Acts contrary to federal, state, or local laws, and University regulations such as, but not limited to, sex offenses, gambling, possession and/or use of illegal drugs and/or controlled substances, theft, and disruption constitute violations of the KU Student Housing Handbook.
• Violation by you of federal, state, or local laws, or the policies or regulations referenced above, or failure to independently manage daily life functions to the extent that custodial care might be required, may result in disciplinary sanction, reassignment to another residential space and/or building, revocation of future guest privileges, and/or other consequences including liability for full contract costs when this contract is cancelled by KU Student Housing.
• If the University cancels this contract for violation of a policy or regulation, you may not reapply for Student Housing for a minimum period of one calendar year from the end of the contract period in which the cancellation was effective.
• This contract may be immediately suspended, and you may be required to vacate the premises when circumstances indicate that your continued presence in the assigned residential space may constitute danger, or threat of danger, to property, yourself, or others in the housing system.
• If you are arrested for alleged criminal acts or have criminal charges pending against you, this contract may be suspended by the University. You will receive written notice from the University stating reasons for an interim contract suspension and the time and place for a hearing to be held.
• Students living in a scholarship hall agree to take on the responsibility of cooking and cleaning in the hall and participating in hall governance and operations. Residents who fail to meet their aforementioned scholarship hall specific obligations will face disciplinary action, which could lead to removal from the community.
• In lieu of an interim contract suspension, you may be assigned to another residential space, be restricted from entering specified housing areas or units, and/or be restricted in other privileges normally allowed to you in KU Student Housing facilities.  
• Rates may vary by residential space, as rates are specific to the room type, community, amenities, and building. The Board of Regents adjusts rates annually. Current rates may be found on the KU Student Housing website .
• You agree to accept room and food plan charges and pay the applicable fees in accordance with the scheduled due dates as posted by Student Accounts & Receivables. Fees not paid by the due date may result in the University taking one or more of the following actions against you: 1) postponement of scheduled check-in time, 2) suspension of access to housing and dining facilities, and/or 3) cancellation of this contract. Cancellation charges will apply.
• If assigned to a residential space in a residence hall or scholarship hall, you are required to purchase a food plan. In scholarship halls, food is purchased for you and other residents to cooperatively prepare meals through a food board management program. The University may make changes to the food management program from time to time.
• KU Dining provides dining plan choices for residents in residence halls, and you select your plan through the on-line housing portal. Refer to KU Dining’s website for more information, including plan details and cancellation fee schedules.
• In apartments (Stouffer Place, Jayhawker Towers, McCarthy), food plans are optional. You may purchase a plan from KU Dining through the on-line housing portal.
• You are financially responsible for any damage you or any of your guests and visitors may cause in public or private areas of KU Student Housing facilities. The University may withhold academic records for nonpayment of obligations such as lost keys, broken or missing furniture, and other debts owed to KU Student Housing.
• You understand and acknowledge that insurance carried by the University covers University property only, and you agree to be responsible for obtaining and maintaining your own insurance against loss or damage to property, personal injury, or liability. You further understand and agree that claims for injury or damage to persons or property resulting from the negligent or wrongful acts or omissions of KU Student Housing and approved personnel acting in the course and scope of their employment, are subject to the terms, conditions, and liability limitations contained in the Kansas Tort Claims Act,

K.S.A. 75-6101, et seq.

• You are responsible for your personal property at all times. If you do not vacate your assigned residential space as scheduled (following internal transfers as well as at the end of a contract period) and have not removed personal property, the University will make a reasonable attempt to contact you. If after 48 hours you have not vacated the assigned residential space, the University will dispose of trash and items already opened or used, and remove your remaining personal property and store it at your expense for up to 30 days. You will be charged $50 per day plus the daily rate for each day you and/or your belongings remain in the assigned residential space. After 30 days, the personal property is deemed abandoned and becomes the property of the University and, in most instances, will be donated or discarded.
• The University shall not be liable for damage to or loss of property that might occur during the course of removal or disposal. The University will bill you for all costs incurred in removing and storing personal property, and restoration of the assigned residential space, and you agree to be responsible for payment of such costs, including any other outstanding charges.
• KU Student Housing will make every attempt to communicate with you as needed either by email or by phone. The email of record for KU Student Housing is your KU email address. The phone number of record is the phone number associated with your official university student record.

13. Cancellation by the University

• The University may terminate this contract by providing notice to the resident (in any manner, including without limitation, electronic or hard copy) after breach by the resident, including without limitation a resident’s failure to be or remain eligible for on-campus housing. Upon any such termination, the resident remains responsible for all charges in full under the contract, through the effective date of termination, in addition to any applicable fees and damages assessments otherwise provided in this contract.

The University reserves the right to terminate this contract due to emergency needs or other occurrence beyond the reasonable control of the University. In the event the University terminates this contract due to any act, order, regulation, or request of any governmental authority or agency or other occurrences including, but not limited to, natural disasters, floods, fires, tornadoes, riots, epidemics, pandemics or quarantines, the University will offer fair and reasonable credits of fees paid by impacted residents as appropriate and based on information available at that time. If the University invokes these force majeure rights the University will notify the impacted residents as soon as practicable. 14. Cancellation by the Resident

• Before check-in or the first day of classes : You may cancel this contract by submitting an online request. Cancellation charges (including applicable food plan charges) will apply.
• After check-in or the first day of classes : KU Student Housing must approve the cancellation in order for you to be financially released from the full contract terms. You must submit the cancellation request through an on-line request form with KU Student Housing. The official cancellation date is the date you check out and leave, not the date of cancellation request. Cancellation charges (including applicable food plan charges) will apply.
• Cancellation requests that are typically approved by KU Student Housing are: withdrawal from the University, failure to enroll, or academic dismissal; assignment to a KU-sponsored internship; research project, or other KU program which requires living away from Lawrence; completion of graduation requirements during the term of this contract; marriage during the term of this contract; or compulsory military duty.
• KU Student Housing will consider cancellation requests for other unusual and compelling circumstances, including financial and medical hardship, which justify individual consideration. Documentation is required.
• KU Student Housing will not approve cancellation requests when you remain enrolled but wish to move off-campus, including to Greek chapter houses. Full academic year contract fees (including applicable food plan charges) will apply.  

Fall Semester Cancellation Fee Schedule

Spring Semester Cancellation Fee Schedule

16. Choice of Law

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Updated : 10/30/2023

Chiefs' Harrison Butker blasted for commencement speech encouraging women to be homemakers

Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker has aggravated one of the internet's biggest culture wars by telling a class of college graduates that one of the “most important” titles a woman can hold is homemaker.

During a commencement speech last weekend at Benedictine College, a Catholic liberal arts school in Atchison, Kansas, the NFL player railed against abortion, Pride month and Covid-19 lockdown measures.

Drawing the most viral backlash this week, however, was a section of his speech in which he addressed the female graduates specifically — telling them that it’s women who have had “the most diabolical lies” told to them.

“How many of you are sitting here now, about to cross this stage, and are thinking about all the promotions and titles you are going to get in your career? Some of you may go on to lead successful careers in the world,” Butker said. “But I would venture to guess that the majority of you are most excited about your marriage and the children you will bring into this world.”

The criticisms that followed took aim at Butker as well as the NFL.

"Hey @NFL — If you want to continue to grow your female fan base and any other marginalized group (straight white men are already watching your product), come get your boy," wrote Lisa Guerrero, a former NFL sideline reporter and now an investigative journalist for "Inside Edition."

He went on to tell the graduates that his wife would agree that her life “truly started when she began living her vocation as a wife and as a mother.” It is her embrace of this role, he said, that made his own professional success possible.

Butker’s comments share similarities with some of the more extreme ideas around gender roles that have gained traction in communities that promote “ tradwife ” lifestyles or other relationship dynamics that center on traditional gender roles .

“Listen, there’s nothing wrong with his wife being a homemaker. Homemakers are wonderful, that’s not the point,” filmmaker Michael McWhorter, known by his more than 6 million TikTok followers as TizzyEnt, said in a video response. “The point is he seemed to be acting as if you should be ashamed if you don’t want to be a homemaker, or, ‘I know what you really want to do is just stay home and have babies.’"

The speech was the latest incident to add fuel to the flames of this increasingly vocal cultural battle, much of which is playing out online. While many prominent right-wing men have voiced such beliefs before, they’re usually confined to internet forums, podcasts and other online communities where these ideologies thrive.

A spokesperson for Butker did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Benedictine College and the Kansas City Chiefs did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

A spokesperson for the NFL told People Magazine that Butker "gave a speech in his personal capacity" and his "views are not those of the NFL as an organization."

"The NFL is steadfast in our commitment to inclusion, which only makes our league stronger," a spokesperson told the publication.

Butker, who is teammates with Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, further drew surprise and criticism when he quoted Kelce’s girlfriend, Taylor Swift, whose monumental career success as a global pop star has inspired college courses .

“As my teammate’s girlfriend says, ‘familiarity breeds contempt,’” he said, drawing murmurs from the crowd as he used the “Bejeweled” lyric as an analogy for why Catholic priests should not become “overly familiar” with their parishioners.

In the days since his speech, a Change.org petition for the Chiefs to dismiss Butker for “discriminatory remarks” has garnered nearly 19,000 signatures.

“These comments reinforce harmful stereotypes that threaten social progress,” the petition stated. “They create a toxic environment that hinders our collective efforts towards equality, diversity and inclusion in society. It is unacceptable for such a public figure to use their platform to foster harm rather than unity.”

Those who criticized Butker’s speech online include actor Bradley Whitford as well as DJ and rapper (and self-proclaimed Swiftie ) Flavor Flav .

But his speech was also lauded by some on the religious right, including conservative sports media personalities such as Clay Travis and Jason Whitlock , who defended Butker’s statements toward women.

“Not a word Harrison Butker says here should be remotely controversial. He’s 100% correct,” former NFL wide receiver T.J. Moe posted on X . “Those trying to convince women that being assistant VP of lending & intentionally childless at age 40 is more fulfilling than making a family and home are evil.”

Sports and culture commentator Jon Root also posted that Butker “exposed the lies that the world has been telling women.” Women, he wrote, are wrongly encouraged to climb the corporate ladder, view children as a “burden” and see marriage as “not worth pursuing.”

Still, a deluge of viewers online took issue with his attitude toward women and the LGBTQ community. Many women also rejected the premise that they would be happier staying at home in lieu of paid work, even if they do have a husband and children.

“I am moved. I actually had no idea that my life began when I met my husband,” neurosurgeon Betsy Grunch, known as Ladyspinedoc on TikTok, said sarcastically in a TikTok video . “It did not begin when I graduated magna cum laude from the University of Georgia with honors. It certainly did not begin when I graduated with a 4.0 GPA, Alpha Omega Alpha, from medical school. And I had no idea that it did not begin when I completed my residency in neurosurgery.”

Angela Yang is a culture and trends reporter for NBC News.

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The NFL responds after a player urges female college graduates to become homemakers

Rachel Treisman

Kansas City Chiefs player Harrison Butker, pictured at a press conference in February, is in hot water for his recent commencement speech at Benedictine College in Kansas. Chris Unger/Getty Images hide caption

Kansas City Chiefs player Harrison Butker, pictured at a press conference in February, is in hot water for his recent commencement speech at Benedictine College in Kansas.

Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker stirred controversy off the field this weekend when he told a college graduating class that one of the "most important titles" a woman can hold is "homemaker."

Butker denounced abortion rights, Pride Month, COVID-19 lockdowns and "the tyranny of diversity, equity and inclusion" in his commencement address at Benedictine College, a Catholic liberal arts school in Atchison, Kan.

The 28-year-old, a devout Catholic and father of two, also railed against "dangerous gender ideologies" and urged men to "fight against the cultural emasculation of men." At one point, he addressed women specifically.

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"I want to speak directly to you briefly because I think it is you, the women, who have had the most diabolical lies told to you, how many of you are sitting here now about to cross the stage, and are thinking about all the promotions and titles you're going to get in your career," he said. "Some of you may go on to lead successful careers in the world. But I would venture to guess that the majority of you are most excited about your marriage and the children you will bring into this world."

Harrison Butker chokes up while discussing his wife, encouraging Benedictine College female grads to embrace motherhood. pic.twitter.com/qm73MBl0Hl — The College Fix (@CollegeFix) May 13, 2024

"I can tell you that my beautiful wife Isabelle would be the first to say that her life truly started when she began living her vocation as a wife and as a mother," Butker said.

The 20-minute speech has been viewed more than 455,000 times on YouTube since Saturday and generated considerable backlash — and memes — on social media, especially from people critical of his views on women. Many pointed out that Butker's own mom is a clinical medical physicist.

Butker also drew ire from fans of Taylor Swift, who is dating fellow Chiefs player Travis Kelce, a relationship that has famously helped bring many new female fans to the NFL. Later in the speech, he quoted Swift — though not by name — while talking about what he sees as the problem of priests becoming "overly familiar" with their parishioners.

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"This undue familiarity will prove to be problematic every time, because as my teammate's girlfriend says, 'Familiarity breeds contempt,' " he said, quoting a lyric from her song Bejeweled.

One Swift fan account joked about petitioning for the pop star to replace Butker as the Chiefs' kicker. A real online petition , calling for the Chiefs to dismiss Butker for his "sexist, homophobic, anti-trans, anti-abortion and racist remarks," has gained 95,000 signatures and counting since Monday.

Butker and the team have not commented publicly on his speech and the backlash to it, though late Wednesday the NFL issued a statement distancing itself from it.

"Harrison Butker gave a speech in his personal capacity," Jonathan Beane, the NFL's senior VP and chief diversity and inclusion officer told NPR on Thursday. "His views are not those of the NFL as an organization."

What else did Butker say?

Butker has been vocal about his faith, telling the Eternal Word Television Network in 2019 that he grew up Catholic but practiced less in high school and college before rediscovering his belief later in life.

Last year, Butker appeared in an ad for the nonprofit Catholic Vote urging Kansans to support a referendum that would limit abortion rights in the state (it was ultimately unsuccessful ). He's also one of several athletes who has partnered with a Catholic prayer app . And days after the Chiefs won this year's Super Bowl, Butker spent a week "in reflection" at a monastery in California.

He also gave the commencement address at his alma mater Georgia Tech last year, in which he urged students to "get married and start a family."

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This time around, Butker started his speech by suggesting he had been reluctant to give it: He said he originally turned down the president's invitation because he felt that one commencement speech was enough, "especially for someone who isn't a professional speaker."

He was persuaded, he said, in part by leadership's argument about how many milestones graduating seniors had missed because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"As a group, you witnessed firsthand how bad leaders who don't stay in their lane can have a negative impact on society," he said in his opening remarks. "It is through this lens that I want to take stock of how we got to where we are and where we want to go as citizens, and yes, as Catholics."

He criticized President Biden for his handling of the pandemic and his stance on abortion, which he said falsely suggests people can simultaneously be "both Catholic and pro-choice."

Butker blamed "the pervasiveness of disorder" for the availability of procedures like abortion, IVF, surrogacy and euthanasia, as well as "a growing support for degenerate cultural values and media."

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At one point, he referenced an Associated Press article from earlier this month about the revival of conservative Catholicism that prominently featured Benedictine College as an example.

The school of roughly 2,000 gets top ratings from the Cardinal Newman Society , a nonprofit that promotes Catholic education in the U.S., for policies including offering daily mass and prohibiting campus speakers who "publicly oppose Catholic moral teaching."

"I am certain the reporters at the AP could not have imagined that their attempt to rebuke and embarrass places and people like those here at Benedictine wouldn't be met with anger, but instead with excitement and pride," Butker said, before making an apparent reference to LGBTQ Pride Month in June.

"Not the deadly sin sort of pride that has an entire month dedicated to it," he said, as laughter could be heard from the crowd.

How are people responding?

The official YouTube video of Butker's speech shows the crowd standing and applauding at the end, though the AP reports that reactions among graduates were mixed. Several told the outlet they were surprised by his comments about women, priests and LGTBQ people.

Kassidy Neuner told the AP that the speech felt "degrading," suggesting that only women can be homemakers.

"To point this out specifically that that's what we're looking forward to in life seems like our four years of hard work wasn't really important," said Neuner, who is planning on attending law school.

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Butker's comments have gotten some support, including on social media from football fan accounts and Christian and conservative media personalities .

"Christian men should be preaching this regularly," tweeted former NFL player T.J. Moe. "Instead, it's so taboo that when someone tells the obvious truth that anyone who holds a biblical worldview believes, it's national news."

Still, other public figures — including musicians Maren Morris and Flava Flav — were quick to disagree.

Even the official Kansas City account weighed in, tweeting on Wednesday that Butker resides not there but in a neighboring suburb, Lee's Summit. The tweet has since been deleted and the account apologized for the tweet .

Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas tweeted that he believed Butker holds a "minority viewpoint" in the state but defended his right to express it.

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"Grown folks have opinions, even if they play sports," he wrote . "I disagree with many, but I recognize our right to different views."

Justice Horn, the former chair of Kansas City's LGBTQ Commission, was more critical, writing on X (formerly Twitter) that "Harrison Butker doesn't represent Kansas City nor has he ever." He called the city one that "welcomes, affirms and embraces our LGBTQ+ community members."

The Los Angeles Chargers also trolled Butker in its Sims-style schedule release video on Wednesday, which ends with a shot of his animated, number 7 jersey-wearing character cooking and arranging flowers in a kitchen.

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