Ph.D. Requirements
Advancement to Candidacy and All-But-Dissertation Status
Students' status in the program will be reviewed each year (described below under Annual Reviews, page 25). During the first two years in the program, a student is referred to as a "Ph.D. student." Upon successful completion of the first two years of requirements through the research progress report and oral exam, listed below, a student advances to candidacy, which designates completing a major portion of the requirements for the Ph.D. listed below:
- Attainment examinations or approved coursework in related areas
- Selection of a Research Advisor
- Selection of an Advisory Committee
- The equivalent of at least four full-semester graduate courses in chemistry or related fields with a grade of B in each course
- Formal Seminar
- Research Progress Report
- Original Research Proposal
- Satisfactory teaching for two semesters as a Teaching Assistant
- English Language Proficiency at the level of Category 3 on the ITA test (if a non-native speaker of English).
Completion of the Ph.D. candidacy requirements along with the original research proposal will mark attainment of the status designated All But Dissertation (ABD) by Carnegie Mellon.
In accordance with university policy, ABD students must complete the Doctoral Candidate form [.pdf] to declare their intention to complete their dissertation in residence (on campus) or in absentia (off campus).
Students meeting the normally expected deadlines reach candidacy by the end of the second year and ABD status by the end of the third year. ABD students must complete their remaining degree requirement, namely produce and defend publicly an approved dissertation, within seven years of achieving ABD status. Extraordinary circumstances may necessitate the department to seek an extension of the candidacy status. An extension, however, requires approval by the Dean. Additional information about ABD policies, leaves of absence, and in absentia status is available in the Graduate Studies Office.