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Academic Information
Direct-Path PhD Program
The normal path from a BS degree to a PhD degree in the College of Engineering and Computer Science is through
the MS degree and its associated requirements. The direct-path PhD program gives highly-qualified students in
the College the option of moving more rapidly into research activities and the simultaneous completion of the
MS and PhD degrees with modestly reduced coursework requirements. Admission to the direct-path PhD program may
be granted to students entering or already in the graduate engineering program, including students selected
for the joint BS/MS program. Admission and degree requirements are listed below.
Minimum Admission Requirements
Students in the BS Program
- Satisfaction of the department’s minimum GPA requirement, normally in the 3.2 – 3.3 range, in the last
60 credit hours of undergraduate coursework.
- A minimum GRE score of 1100.
- A minimum of two letters of recommendation. Where possible these letters should address the student’s
qualifications for research.
Students in the MS Program at FAU
- Satisfaction of the BS department’s minimum GPA requirement, normally in the 3.2 – 3.3 range, in the
last 60 credit hours of undergraduate coursework.
- A minimum GRE score of 1100.
- A minimum GPA of 3.5 in the graduate program at FAU
- Students must apply for the Direct-Path Ph.D. program within the first year of graduate studies.
- Students who do not satisfy the GRE or GPA requirements stated above must obtain approval from
the department and the college graduate committees and from the Division of Graduate Studies overseeing
the graduate program before being admitted to the Direct-Path PhD program.
Degree Requirements
- Successful completion of the department’s doctoral qualifying/candidacy exam. This exam will be scheduled
according to the departmental guidelines.
- A minimum of 84 credit hours beyond the B.S. degree, distributed according to the following conditions:
- A minimum of 24 credit hours of coursework must be in the doctorate-granting department.
- No more than 9 credit hours are allowed for Independent Studies coursework.
- A maximum of 9 credit hours may be at the elective 4000 level as determined by the departmental criteria. All other credit hours must be at the graduate level.
- A minimum of 3 credit hours must be taken in mathematics or in a technical field closely related
to the student’s research, as determined by departmental criteria.
- A minimum of 39 dissertation credit hours.
- Successful completion and defense of the dissertation.
Degree Granting
Students who enter the direct-path PhD program but fail to complete the PhD degree requirements will be
allowed, upon completion of normal departmental requirements, to receive the MS degree.
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