Computer Science Doctoral Degree Requirements

Program | Faculty | Master's | Doctoral | Courses

1. To be confirmed in their candidacy for the Ph.D. degree, students must submit a portfolio of accomplishments, including coursework, evidence of research ability, a project demonstrating synthesis of topics in computer science, and faculty recommendations. Most students are allowed five semesters to complete their portfolios; special arrangements are made for students who enter the program with coursework deficiences or with M.S. degrees.

2. The student must subsequently pass the dissertation proposal exam within two semesters after passing the portfolio exam.

3. In addition to the requirements for the M.S. degree, each Ph.D student must complete 18 additional course credits at the 600 level or higher (excluding CMPSCI 899), with an overall grade point average of 3.0 or better. As part of the candidacy exam, Ph.D. students must select six courses (18 credits) from the set of “core” courses as part of their overall curriculum. A minimum grade of B+ is required in the core courses.

4. The student must complete at least 18 credits of CMPSCI 899 (Doctoral Dissertation).

5. Each student must perform the equivalent of one semester as a teaching assistant or teaching associate prior to completion of the degree.

For more detail see: www.cs.umass.edu/grads/overview.edu.