Doctor of Philosophy

The Ph.D. degree in computer science is offered through the computer science graduate program. Requirements include 90 semester hours of graduate-level credit. All work must be completed within seven years.

General requirements include completing the breadth requirement and passing the Research Proficiency Exam (preliminary examination); successfully presenting a research plan to one’s supervisory committee at a research proposal meeting; and completing the research plan, writing a dissertation and successfully defending the dissertation in an open forum.

General requirements

  • Completing the Breadth Requirement
  • Passing the Research Proficiency Exam (RPE)
  • Passing the Preliminary Examination
  • Completing a Proposal Defense
  • Writing a dissertation and successfully defending the dissertation in an open forum.

Coursework requirements

  • 24 hours of course credit at Kansas State University beyond the master’s degree level
  • 15 hours must be 800 level or above
  • One or more courses in theoretical or fundamental topics
  • At least 30 hours of Ph.D. research credit.

Refer to the Ph.D. Handbook (pdf) for more detailed requirements.

Resources

Electronic form submission – All forms must be submitted electronically using the link to the left and must include department advisor, Sheryl Cornell (cornell@ksu.edu), as the program advisor. The PDF forms listed below are working copies for the students to use as a guide. The electronic form submission has a time limit. Therefore, a student must be prepared with the necessary information before he or she starts.

Ph.D. advising form with RPE form (pdf)

RPE form (pdf)