For all degrees that allow research hours, these hours exist as a range. In consultation with their chair, students will select and enroll in a certain number of credit hours for these courses.
Students are charged per credit hour for tuition and each program sets its own limits for how many hours can contribute to degree requirements.
Each program can also set limits on how many hours in research or dissertation work they will allow in a given semester. These details are a part of each scheme. For dissertation hours, students cannot enroll until they have been approved by their chair and passed comprehensive exams. Research hours are available to students throughout their program at the discretion of the chair. All students pursuing a doctorate degree have 7 years to complete their program.
Extensions can be made in special circumstances with the permission of the governing department and the governing college or school.
Similarly, thesis hours can only be taken once approval is granted by a chair. In consultation with their chair, students will select and enroll in a certain number of credit hours for these courses. Students are charged per credit hour for tuition and each program sets its own limits for how many hours can contribute to degree requirements.
For additional confirmation, dissertation hours may be taken by doctoral students who are advanced to candidacy. It is a 9-hour credit course, but tuition is assessed at the 1 credit rate. These courses are restricted to doctoral students who have advanced to candidacy. Permission to take such courses is given by the program director.