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Doctor of Philosophy
The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree in Telecommunications and Networking enables students to engage in independent, high-quality research and teaching. It provides research-oriented graduate study and professional specialization in telecommunications and emphasizes both scholarly and applied research. To earn a PhD degree, a student must demonstrate breadth of knowledge, give evidence of superior scholarship and mastery of a specialized field, and must demonstrate his/her ability to do significant and relevant research. In addition, the student must conceive, write and defend a PhD dissertation representing a significant and original contribution to current academic research as demonstrated by a public dissertation defense and publication in established peer-reviewed academic conferences and/or journals.
A student pursuing a Ph.D. degree is first admitted to graduate study in
Telecommunications and Networking. A minimum of 48 credits beyond a Masters degree is
required. Exceptional students with a technical Bachelor’s degree may be admitted on occasion
and in such cases, a minimum of 72 credits beyond the baccalaureate degree is required.
Included in these credits are graduate and seminar credits beyond the master’s degree or its
equivalent and at least 18 dissertation credits. While these are minimum credit requirements, a
Ph.D. student may be required to take more credits of coursework to satisfy the breadth and depth
required to successfully complete their dissertation. During the first or second term of study and in
preparation for the preliminary examination, all Telecommunications and Networking Ph.D.
students must attend a Ph.D. orientation session (a two‐hour review of the requirements for the
Ph.D. degree).
Plan of Studies
A candidate for the PhD should have broad knowledge of the field of telecommunications as well as a specialization in the area of major interest. Every candidate should have, in addition, a strong background in research methodologies.
A plan of study should be designed by the advisor and student as early as possible after admission. A copy of the plan of study must be on file in the student’s folder and should be consulted during each registration period.
In the doctoral program, at least 9 credits must be doctoral level courses and seminars. Some courses at the masters degree levels are also appropriate for doctoral study. Courses at the undergraduate level do not meet the minimum requirements for doctoral study, although they may be taken to supplement a particular program of study.
Statute of Limitations
All requirements for the Ph.D. degree must be completed in not more than six calendar years from the time of first registration. Students may, in extenuating circumstances, submit a formal request for extension of their statute of limitations or for a leave of absence from the program.