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Ph.D. Degree   •   Supervisory Committee   •  Program of Study   •  Residency Enrollment   •  Approval of Program of Study   •  Qualifying Examination   •  Registration   •  Language Requirements   •  Dissertation   •  Final Examination   •  Time Limit   •  Exceptions

• The Doctor of Philosophy degree is awarded for high achievement in an advanced specialized field of study. It requires competence in independent research and an understanding of related subjects.
• The degree is not awarded simply for the fulfillment of residence requirements and the accumulation of credits.
• The committee chair and the majority of the committee must be tenure-line faculty in the student’s department.
• The outside member is normally from another University of Utah department.
• The dean of The Graduate School may approve requests to appoint a committee member from another university where appropriate justification and supporting documentation is provided.
• approving the student’s academic program,
• preparing and judging the qualifying examinations (unless delegated to a departmental examination committee),
• approving the dissertation subject and final dissertation,
• and administering and judging the final oral examination (dissertation defense).
• Some departments require more, check department’s handbook.
• More time may be required.
• In truly exceptional cases, a shorter period of time in graduate work may be approved by the dean of The Graduate School. 
• If a supervisory committee finds a graduate student’s preliminary work deficient, the student may be required to register for and complete supplementary courses that do not carry graduate credit.
• This form, which lists course work and research hours, is due one semester before graduation in order for the graduate coordinator to enter that information online in a timely manner.
• Faculty Consultation, course number 7980, does not count toward dissertation hours or the fulfillment of degree requirements, and should not be listed on the program of study.
• Courses taken through alternative delivery methods (e.g., via EDNET or the Internet) are approved on a programmatic basis through the Graduate Council.
• When a student proceeds directly from a master’s degree to a Ph.D. degree with no break in the program of study (except for authorized leaves of absence), the residency requirement may be fulfilled at any time during the course of study.
• Three hours of Thesis Research: Ph.D. (course number 7970) is also considered a full load after the residency requirement is fulfilled.
• The Graduate Council may approve departmental or programmatic exceptions to the minimum residency requirements and proposals for new programs or academic offerings using distance-learning technologies and/or off-campus sites, as provided by Graduate School policy.
• *Does not refer to or fulfill State Residency Requirements
• One semester prior to graduation, graduate students are required to meet with their graduate advisor to check that they have met all the requirements for their degree.
• Once enrolled in all required coursework, the graduate advisor will move coursework from the graduate student's transcript to their program of study in the Graduate Student Summary .
• They verify the graduate student has met all degree requirements then approve the program of study with their electronic signature.  
• After all approvals have been submitted, the graduate student's program of study will show as complete in the Program Plan Audit page of the Graduate Student Summary .
• The nature and format of these examinations are established by individual departments subject to approval by the Graduate Council.
• An examination or parts of an examination may be repeated only once and only at the discretion of the student’s supervisory committee .
• A department has the option of appointing a departmental examination committee that administers the qualifying examinations and ensures that examinations are properly prepared and evaluated.
• Once a graduate student has passed their Ph.D. Qualifying Exam this advances them to candidacy.
• The candidate must complete at least 14 hours of Thesis Research (course number 7970, Thesis Research: Ph.D.).
• The candidate must also be regularly enrolled at the University and registered for at least one course during the semester in which the final oral examination (dissertation defense) is taken.
• For details, see Minimum Continuous Registration as well as departmental and program requirements.
• The degree of proficiency in foreign language(s) required of candidates is determined by the policy of the academic departments.
• In some instances, language proficiency may be verified by individual departments if appropriate procedures have been approved in advance by the dean of The Graduate School.
• In most cases, however, fulfillment of the language requirements must be verified by the Department of World Languages & Cultures.
• The Language Verification form for certification is available in the Department of World Languages & Cultures .
• The candidate must submit a dissertation embodying the results of scientific or scholarly research or artistic creativity.
• The dissertation must provide evidence of originality and the ability to do independent investigation and it must contribute to knowledge or the creative arts.
• The style and format are determined by departmental policy and registered with the thesis and dissertation editor, who approves individual dissertations in accordance with departmental and Graduate School policy.
• At least three weeks before the final oral examination (dissertation defense), the student should submit an acceptable draft of the dissertation to the chair of the supervisory committee ; committee members should receive copies at least two weeks before the examination date.
• The entire dissertation is submitted to UMI Dissertation Publishing, ProQuest Information and Learning, and copies are made available for public sale.
• The abstract only is published if the entire dissertation has been previously published and distributed, exclusive of vanity publishing. The doctoral candidate may elect to microfilm the entire previously published work.
• Regardless of the option used for meeting the publication requirement, an abstract of each dissertation is published in UMI Dissertation Publishing, ProQuest Information and Learning, Dissertation Abstracts International.
• Detailed policies and procedures concerning publication requirements, use of restricted data, and other matters pertaining to the preparation and acceptance of the dissertation are contained in A Handbook for Theses and Dissertations .
• The student must pass a final oral examination before graduation.
• The examination must follow the receipt of the dissertation by the supervisory committee .
• The committee schedules and announces a public oral examination at which the candidate must defend the dissertation.
• This final oral examination may be chaired by any member of the supervisory committee consistent with departmental policy.
• The time limit for completing a Ph.D. degree is determined by individual departmental policy approved by the Graduate Council.
• Requests to exceed established time limits must be recommended by a candidate’s supervisory committee and approved by the departmental director of graduate studies and the dean of the Graduate School.
• Students whose studies have been interrupted for long periods of time and who have been granted extended time to complete their degrees may be required to complete additional courses, to pass examinations, or otherwise to demonstrate that they are current in their field. (PPM 6-203 III.B).
• Most departments require a seven year time limit for their PhD students.
• Petition for an extension of a Graduate student career
• Individual student exceptions to these general requirements for the Ph.D. must be approved by the dean of The Graduate School upon the recommendation of the student’s supervisory committee and director of graduate studies or department chair.
• Each program requires a distinct, complete set of courses. Course work used to meet the requirements of one program may not be used to meet the requirements of another.

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How Do You Get a PhD? A Guide to the PhD Timeline

Everyone who considers a doctoral degree knows a PhD is a big commitment. 

Not only will it require all your mental energy, focus, and persistence, but it will also require a significant investment of your time. Your particular area of research, your institution’s policies and procedures, and the standard expectations within your field affect how long it takes to earn a PhD. The average PhD length is five or six years, while some students may take eight or nine years.

Regardless of how long a PhD program takes,  there are some common stages of a PhD that all doctoral students share. These significant and essential milestones shape the timeline for earning your doctorate . Read on as we take you through each step and explore the typical steps to a doctorate degree.

How Long Do PhD Programs Take?

The number of credit hours that you need to complete your doctoral coursework might depend on several factors: do you already have a master’s degree? Will you earn one en route to the doctorate? Or do you even need one? 

Different disciplines and research interests have their own PhD process, but even within your field of study, institutions may have diverse pathways for obtaining that terminal degree. For most, coursework will take anywhere from two to three years to complete.

During this time, students can serve as graduate research or teaching assistants or could even lead their own courses as instructors. In many degree programs, students develop their potential dissertation topics through their coursework and define their research plans in the next few years.

Steps to Getting a PhD: PhD Qualifying Exam and Comprehensive Exam

Many programs set up academic checkpoints to help keep students on track during their PhD journeys. The timing varies by program, but one of the most common – and possibly most stressful – forms of benchmarking is the PhD comprehensive exam or qualifying exam. Often administered around the end of the student’s coursework, these exams are your chance to demonstrate what you learned in your classes.

A faculty committee from your department oversees testing. Usually comprised of at least three members, your professors ask questions or assign writing prompts based on your experience in the program thus far. The format is generally a combination of written and oral exams designed to test your expertise in your discipline’s methodologies and significant content areas.

To better prepare yourself, research the number and kind of qualifying benchmarks the program will require in the university catalog before you begin your program. This will allow you and your advisor to effectively plan out the first few years of your degree and give you an idea of how you’ll be evaluated throughout your program.

Doctoral Dissertation Prospectus and Defense

You may be required to complete and defend a dissertation prospectus before officially becoming a PhD candidate. A prospectus is a document outlining your dissertation plan, which includes an explanation of your research topic, a potential outline of your dissertation, the methodologies you intend to employ, the significance of your research question, and a bibliography including sources that form the foundation of your research.

Your prospectus allows your dissertation advisor to understand the scope of your project. It should be thorough enough that they can provide useful feedback to help shape your research plan. After some revisions, an approved prospectus is the green light to move into the next stage of your PhD.

Advancement to Doctoral Candidacy

If you have heard the term ABD – “All But Dissertation” – then that means you are in the home stretch of your doctoral program!

Well, sort of…only your dissertation remains!

Doctoral Dissertation Research and Writing

While you’ve made it through the coursework and qualifying exams, the dissertation is the culminating component of the doctoral degree. At this point, your approved research plan is ready to be set into motion. Depending on your discipline, this could be the stage where you travel extensively to conduct fieldwork, explore archives, or visit labs to collaborate on projects that relate to your dissertation work. For many students, the research phase can take a couple of years, but some may be able to complete it in one.

Writing your dissertation can be one of the most challenging parts of the whole PhD process. Not only are you condensing years of research into a single cohesive document, but you are also formulating graphs, charts, and other textual references to help clarify your argument. Often, formatting can be a major challenge for many students. 

In this stage, it’s most helpful to seek out resources to help you with the writing process. Many universities have dissertation writing workshops where you can learn best practices, as well as support groups where students meet regularly and help keep each other accountable. Most universities also offer competitive dissertation completion grants, supporting students with additional funding so they focus more of their time and effort on completing this undertaking.

Dissertation Defense

Everyone gets nervous about this major rite of passage. It can be difficult to take criticism over something you have poured your heart and soul into for years. Remember, though, that a good advisor will not let you defend if you’re not ready, and you literally wrote the book on your topic!

The dissertation defense is not intended to tear your work apart but rather is your opportunity to prove your expertise to your dissertation committee. Many defenses are open to observers, so you should attend a few in advance of your own, especially within your department, to get a sense of what it’s like. 

First, you’ll present the main points of your thesis. Then the committee will ask questions so they can clearly understand your arguments. Finally, they’ll send you out of the room while they deliberate and decide if you pass or not. If all goes well, you’ll be addressed as “Doctor” the next time you walk into the room!

Get Started on Your PhD Journey Today

No matter what your particular timeline looks like as you work toward your doctorate, know that the faculty and other students within your program are frequently a huge source of support — which means you won't do this alone! Additionally, every school has resources to assist PhD students, from libraries to writing centers to dedicated student support services. 

If you are excited about beginning your PhD journey, we invite you to request more information or reach out to one of our admissions professionals today. Best of luck as you begin this transformational experience!

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what it takes to apply to and succeed in a PhD program. Explore our resource — A Guide to Choosing, Applying for, and Thriving in a PhD Program!

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How Long Does It Take to Earn a PhD?

Cece Gilmore is a Content Writer at Scholarships360. Cece earned her undergraduate degree in Journalism and Mass Communications from Arizona State University. While at ASU, she was the education editor as well as a published staff reporter at Downtown Devil. Cece was also the co-host of her own radio show on Blaze Radio ASU.

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Cari Schultz is an Educational Review Board Advisor at Scholarships360, where she reviews content featured on the site. For over 20 years, Cari has worked in college admissions (Baldwin Wallace University, The Ohio State University, University of Kentucky) and as a college counselor (Columbus School for Girls).

Maria Geiger is Director of Content at Scholarships360. She is a former online educational technology instructor and adjunct writing instructor. In addition to education reform, Maria’s interests include viewpoint diversity, blended/flipped learning, digital communication, and integrating media/web tools into the curriculum to better facilitate student engagement. Maria earned both a B.A. and an M.A. in English Literature from Monmouth University, an M. Ed. in Education from Monmouth University, and a Virtual Online Teaching Certificate (VOLT) from the University of Pennsylvania.

How long is a PhD program? That might be one of the first questions you ask yourself If you are thinking of earning a PhD. You have probably heard a range of years, and that is because how long it takes to earn a PhD depends on a number of factors. Keep reading to learn more!! 

What is a PhD? 

PhD stands for a “Doctorate of Philosophy.” This is an academic degree that qualifies the degree holder to teach their chosen subject at university level or to work in a specialized position in their chosen field. In general, the PhD is the highest level of degree a student can achieve. 

Also see: Top fully funded PhD programs

Why get a PhD? 

A PhD is a serious commitment with a serious return on investment. Here is a list of professional and personal benefits for earning a PhD. 

How long does it take to earn a PhD? 

Earning a PhD usually takes between four and seven years to complete, depending on the type of PhD as well as the schools requirements, the students educational background, and personal progress. Students who take full-time classes can typically finish in four years. A typical PhD program requires anywhere from 60 to 120 semester credit hours . 

Why earning a PhD takes years to earn

Assistantship obligations.

Teaching and research assistantships can be very beneficial for the experience they provide and the potential funding, but they can also be time consuming obligations for PhD students. Therefore, assistantships may affect the amount of time it takes to complete a PhD program. 

Comprehensive examinations

Universities often require students to demonstrate their readiness in a PhD program through comprehensive exams. These comprehensive exams may be known as: 

• Preliminary examinations
• Major field examinations
• Comprehensive exams or “Comps”
• General examinations

Dissertation

A dissertation is an in-depth research document that serves as the culmination of a doctoral program. It is an important document that demonstrates a student’s original research and contribution to their field of study. 

The dissertation involves conducting extensive research, reviewing previous literature, analyzing data, and presenting your findings in a structured manner. Once the dissertation is completed, it is typically defended orally in front of a committee of faculty members who assess the quality and validity of the research. 

Average PhD timeline

The specific of a PhD timeline carried by college and university. However, the following is a good overview of the average PhD program. 

• Year 1: Take advanced courses
• Year 2: Take advanced courses and begin preparing for exams
• Year 3: Study, take and defend your comprehensive exams and begin researching your dissertation proposal
• Year 4: Begin working on your dissertation
• Year 5: Finish and defend your dissertation 

Average PhD completion by focus

According to data from the National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics the average time in years from graduate school entry to doctorate it took students to receive their degree in 2020 in certain fields is listed below. 

• Life sciences = 6.9 years
• Physical sciences and earth sciences = 6.3 years
• Mathematics and computer sciences = 7.0 years
• Psychology and social sciences = 7.9 years
• Engineering = 6.8 years
• Education = 12.0 years
• Humanities and arts = 9.6 years
• Other non-S&E fields = 9.3 years

Related : Top 10 PhD in Education programs

How to finish your PhD is less time

Look for accelerated classes.

Accelerated courses are an easy way to reduce the amount of time it takes to finish a PhD. Therefore, look into if your program offers any shorter courses. 

Work on your dissertation throughout the program

Working on your dissertation little by little throughout the program will allow you to speed up your doctoral timeline. In addition, it may reduce the likelihood that you’ll drop out before finishing your final project.

Maintain regular communication with your advisor

Establish regular communication with your advisor or supervisor. Regular meetings can help you receive guidance, address any issues, and ensure you are heading in the right direction.

Seek feedback early and often

Share your work and progress with your advisor, peers, or other trusted individuals often. Then, you should incorporate suggestions and revisions as you go along. This will help you refine your work and avoid major revisions later.  

Maintain a healthy school-life balance

While it is important to be dedicated to your PhD, it’s just as important to maintain a healthy work-life balance. Therefore, be sure to prioritize yourself! While finishing your PhD in less time is a great feat, it is important that you are not sacrificing your well-being while doing so.

Key Takeaways

• PhD stands for “doctorate of philosophy” and is generally the highest level of degree a student can earn
• There are many professional and personal benefits to earning a PhD which can lead to a serious return on investment
• A PhD program typically takes 4-7 years to complete. However, it can take longer or shorter depending on personal circumstances and field of study 
• With planning and guidance from advisors, students can sometimes complete PhDs in less time

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Frequently asked questions about how long it takes to earn a PhD 

Do i need to have a master’s degree to get a phd, what is the easiest phd to earn, can i finish my phd earlier than the estimated time frame, what happens if i don’t complete my phd within the expected timeframe, can i work while pursuing a phd, can i accelerate the process of earning a phd, scholarships360 recommended.

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Graduate School

Ph.d. requirements.

• Academics & Research
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Brown University awards more than 200 doctor of philosophy degrees annually.

The Brown Ph.D. is primarily a research degree. Teaching is an important part of many doctoral programs, and many departments require candidates for the Ph.D. to have teaching experience.

Brown University offers substantial financial support to doctoral students. All incoming doctoral students are guaranteed five years of support, which includes a stipend, full tuition remission, health-services fee, and a health-insurance subsidy. Doctoral students in the Humanities and Social Sciences are guaranteed six years of support. All promises of student support are subject to students making satisfactory academic progress, as determined by their programs of study. Please see related links for additional details regarding the University's commitment to doctoral education.

Ph.D. Funding

Funding guarantee, four general requirements for the doctor of philosophy.

The candidate must be formally admitted to his or her degree program.

The normal residency requirement is the equivalent of three Academic Years of full-time study beyond the bachelor's degree. Students who enter a PhD program at Brown already holding a master’s degree in a related field have a residency requirement equivalent to two Academic Years of full-time study upon entering the PhD program at Brown. Use of a previously earned master’s degree to reduce PhD residency requirements is contingent upon approval of the program Director of Graduate Study. Graduate work done at other institutions and not used in fulfillment of the requirements for any doctoral degree elsewhere may, on the approval of the program Director of Graduate Study, be counted in fulfillment of up to, but not exceeding, one year of the residency requirement. A student who desires credit for work done elsewhere should file a timely application with the program Director of Graduate Study; transfer credit forms are available through the  Office of the Registrar .

A student is advanced to candidacy for the Ph.D. when he or she has completed satisfactorily all the requirements, departmental and general, requisite to beginning work on the dissertation. Candidacy is determined by the department or program of study and certified by the Registrar. Most departments require a preliminary examination before advancing any student to candidacy. Most departments also require a final examination or defense. The examination is conducted by professors in the department and by such other members of the faculty as may be appointed.

The candidate must present a dissertation on a topic related to his or her area of specialization that presents the results of original research and gives evidence of excellent scholarship. The dissertation must be approved by the professor or committee under whose direction it is written and by the Graduate Council. All requirements for the Ph.D. must be completed within five years after advancement to candidacy.

Faculty Member Leaves Brown

If a faculty member working with a doctoral student leaves Brown for any reason before that student has completed his or her degree requirements, it may not always be possible for that faculty member to continue working with the student as an advisor. In such cases, departments will work with students to help them locate a new advisor.

Additional Requirements

Individual departments and programs may have additional requirements regarding the number of courses to be taken, proficiency in foreign languages, special examinations, and theses. The department should be consulted for specific information.

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How the PhD Program Works

Program Overview

Completing your doctorate at Wharton requires 5 years of full-time study. The first 2 years in the program prepare you for admission to candidacy by taking courses, qualifying exams, and starting research projects. In the last few years, you are primarily conducting research full-time including writing and defending your doctoral dissertation.

Admission to candidacy.

You begin by taking courses required for your program of study. All programs requires a preliminary exam, which may be either oral or written.

Some programs may have further requirements, such as an additional exam or research paper. If you enter with a master’s degree or other transfer credit, you may satisfy the formal course requirements more quickly.

Beginning the Wharton PhD Curriculum How the first two years of the Wharton program helped students discover their interests, learn the tools of the profession, and fuel their passion for teaching.

The Doctoral Dissertation

Upon successful completion of coursework and passing a preliminary examination, you are admitted to candidacy for the dissertation phase of your studies.

Your doctoral dissertation should contain original research that meets standards for published scholarship in your field. You are expected to be an expert in the topic you choose to research.

You are admitted to candidacy for the dissertation phase of your studies upon successful completion of coursework and passing a preliminary examination, but you can start thinking about and working on research of relevance at any time.

The dissertation process culminates with a “defense,” in which you defend the proposal orally before your dissertation committee.

While working on your dissertation, you interact extensively with Wharton faculty. Together with interested faculty, you create your own research community that includes your dissertation advisor and dissertation committee.

Policies and Procedures

Get more detailed explanation of course requirements, academic standards, the Teacher Development Program, time limits, and dissertation procedures and requirements.

Sample Program Sequence

Years 1 & 2.

Coursework Examination Research Papers Research Activities Field-Specific Requirements

Directed Reading & Research Admission to Candidacy Formulation of Research Topic

Years 4 & 5

Continued Research Oral Examination Dissertation

Hear From Our Doctoral Community

How this phd student discovered a dynamic research community at wharton, wharton’s phd program prepared this doctor to perform economic evaluations in health care, what brought this cdc researcher to wharton's phd program.

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How Long Does it Take to Get a PhD?: A Go-Getter’s Guide to Graduation

Featured Expert: Dr. Charlene Hoi, PhD

How long does it take to get a PhD? On average, PhD programs are 4 or 5 years long. The time it takes to get a PhD is slightly longer in the US, between 4-6 years, because these programs tend to be more structured. If you want to know how to get a PhD in Canada or Europe, you can expect it to take 3-5 years. However, there are PhD programs that take longer, such as part-time programs, or are extremely short, like online accelerated PhD programs. Ultimately, how long it takes to get a PhD is up to you. In this article, we’ll look at the average PhD program lengths, the typical PhD timeline, and tips on how to get your PhD finished faster.

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Article Contents 13 min read

How long does it take to get a phd.

On average, it takes 4-5 years to complete a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) program. In the US, most PhD programs are between 4-6 years, while in Canada they are typically shorter, around 3-4 years.

Some students take longer than 6 years to complete their PhD, but in general the longest time it takes to get a PhD is capped at 8 years. If you’re enrolling in a part-time PhD program, for instance, your timeline will probably be extended to 6-8 years.

The shortest PhD programs out there are accelerated or sometimes online PhD programs. Some of these are only 1-2 years long, but there are comparatively fewer programs available, and they are only suitable for certain fields and careers which require less intensive research which defines most PhD programs.

One of the main reasons why it takes many years to get a PhD is because these programs are comprehensive and the requirements to graduate are extensive. Most have a set number of credit hours you need to complete, examinations to write, plus you’ll need to write your PhD thesis or dissertation, unless you pursue a PhD without dissertation .

There are certainly ways to shorten the PhD application timeline and time to graduate, which includes enrolling in a shorter program if possible, increasing your course load or the number of research hours you can dedicate per week, but generally a PhD will still take some time.

Even if you want to do a PhD without a master’s degree first, such as by applying to a direct entry PhD program, the program is still usually 4-5 years long.

We’ll take a look at the typical PhD timeline and how long it takes to get a PhD normally. After, we’ll cover some tips on how to get your PhD done faster or how you can avoid dragging things out.

In North America, the typical PhD program is divided into two stages. The first stage is where you complete all the required coursework, comprehensive exams and other academic requirements, depending on the program. The second stage is when you submit a proposal for original, independent research, get it approved and start working on your thesis or dissertation. Your PhD culminates with your thesis defense. Once your thesis has been approved, you’ll be eligible to graduate.

This timeline is somewhat flexible, as you might complete the first stage in 1 or 2 years but take longer to complete your dissertation. For the purpose of this general PhD schedule, we’ll assume your PhD program is a typical length of 4-6 years.

Application Stage

We’ve included the application stage of getting your PhD here first because the grad school application timeline can take several months to put together your application package and hear back about acceptance to a program. Secondly, because the application stage involves some critical steps you’ll need to complete in order to get your PhD.

1. Research proposal

To apply to a PhD program, you’ll most likely be required to submit a research proposal and be prepared to answer any research proposal questions your advisor will have. This is your “proposal” of what research question you will explore during your studies at a program, or an outline of what research topic you want to pursue. If you’re not sure how to write a research proposal, check out these Oxford PhD proposal samples or a Cambridge PhD proposal sample.

2. Application materials

The admission requirements for a PhD can vary from program to program, but here are the general components of a PhD application:

• Required prerequisite coursework
• Official transcripts (and minimum GPA)
• Graduate school statement of purpose
• CV for graduate school or research resume
• PhD motivation letter

Some programs may also ask you to submit additional essays, such as a letter of intent, research interest statement or grad school career goals statement .

Many PhD programs also invite you to a grad school interview to get to know you better. Be ready for common graduate school interview questions such as “ tell me about yourself ” and “ why do you want to do a PhD ?”

PhD Years 1-3: Coursework Stage

1. orientation.

Your PhD program will usually begin with your orientation, where you’ll learn about the program’s individual structure, requirements and expectations. You’ll also either choose or be assigned an academic advisor and schedule an initial meeting with them. Your advisor will be a member of the university faculty who will act as your support while you complete your research and write your thesis.

2. Coursework

The first year or two of your PhD will involve completing required advanced coursework in your field. You’ll attend lectures and seminars and you may participate in research projects with department faculty or fellow graduate students or even lab work, depending on your field.

3. Electives

Along with required coursework, you’ll have the chance to take elective courses that interest you or relate to your field. It’s important to choose electives that will enrich your program. Choose ones that really interest you, that might help inform your PhD research or that will help you fulfill your credit requirements.

4. Extracurriculars

PhD programs sometimes have extracurricular activities or additional requirements outside the classroom. This can include internships or a practicum you need to complete for credit, or you might be interested in attending academic conferences or relevant events to socialize and network you’re your colleagues in the field.

5. Comprehensive exams

The coursework stage of your PhD program will end with comprehensive exams , sometimes called qualifying or preliminary exams. These are your “final exams” to make sure that you completed the necessary PhD coursework and that you’re ready and qualified to take on your own independent research in the next phase.

1. Thesis proposal

You may recall that you submitted a research proposal as part of your PhD application, and this step of the process is similar. Your thesis proposal is just like your research proposal, but it’s a more refined and developed version. Throughout your coursework, your research question might have changed or you might have changed course a little bit. If you’re still thinking about your PhD topic , take the time to solidify it before you reach the thesis proposal stage.

Your research proposal might have been a first draft, while your thesis proposal is your official announcement of: this is what I propose to research in this PhD program.

Depending on your field and the program, you thesis research might involve a great deal of lab work, or data collection or fieldwork. Whatever the case, your thesis proposal is a complete outline of what you intend to do for this independent research project and the steps you’ll take.

2. Thesis approval

Once your proposal is written, you’ll submit it for approval. Your academic advisor, PhD supervisor or the PhD committee overseeing your program will review it and either approve it or make suggestions for changes. Once it’s been polished and finalized, you’ll be given the go ahead to start conducting your research.

3. PhD research

Your research alone will probably take you several semesters to complete. On top of the fieldwork, lab work or data collection and analysis you’ll be completing, you’ll be using this time to write and review. Writing your thesis or dissertation takes a fair number of hours to outline, draft, edit and complete. It also means hitting the books to complete a literature review of your research topic so you have a complete background understanding of your chosen topic and how it will inform your research.

Your research and the preparation of your thesis is really the biggest part of this second stage, and is probably the longest part of your PhD altogether.

4. Extra requirements

When you’re not deep in your research, you’ll be completing other requirements of your PhD program or additional duties that enrich your education. Some programs require you to dedicate some hours to teaching, whether it be leading seminars for undergraduate students or acting as a teaching assistant for university faculty.

You’ll also be strongly encouraged to publish as a graduate student , so you may be involved in the research projects of faculty members or other grad students when you’re not working on your dissertation.

5. Thesis submission and preparation for thesis defense

When you’re finished writing your thesis and you’re ready to submit it, it’s critical to know how to prepare for thesis defense . Because not only do you have to complete this original, new body of research work, you have to get the approval of your PhD committee to put it out into the world.

Your thesis defense is essentially the final presentation of your PhD.

6. Thesis defense

Your thesis defense is an oral presentation of your research project, but it also involves submitting your written document to be reviewed. Essentially, you’ll present the entirety of your thesis to the PhD supervising committee, including your findings and conclusions. From there, the committee will ask thesis defense questions . Your answers will defend your methodology and results to the committee, basically proving the value and validity of your work. While this is an evaluation of sorts, it is also your opportunity to share your original ideas and invite further research into your topic.

After your defense, the PhD committee will either approve your thesis or send it back to you with edits or changes to be made before it can be formally approved.

Graduation and Postdoc

Once your thesis has been approved, congratulations! You’ll be eligible for graduation and be awarded your degree. Now that you’ve finished this marathon, you can choose to pursue further studies or start looking for a job after grad school .

With a PhD, you have many different options for positions in your field. You might want to know how to find a job in academia or how to get a tenure track position at a university if you’re interested in teaching others. PhD graduates who decide to transition from academia to industry or who would rather work outside the realm of academia can find industry jobs after PhD that suit their skills and experiences.

Either way, you’ll need to prepare for how to find a postdoc position, explore what the career options are for you, decide what your career goals are and start sending out applications. Remember to prep your postdoc resume and get read for postdoc interview questions , since the job hunt will begin soon after you finish your PhD!

Is it possible to get your PhD done faster? What are some ways you can speed up the process and avoid taking 8 years to complete your graduate studies? Luckily, there are many key ways you can make your journey through grad school easier and speed things up a little, from the type of PhD program you choose to the habits and skills you cultivate during your program.

#1 Enroll in an accelerated program

The first way to guarantee it will take less time to get your PhD is to, of course, enroll in a shorter PhD program. Direct entry PhD programs allow you to enroll once you’ve completed your bachelor’s degree in exceptional circumstances. Note that these are not the easiest PhD programs to get into , as your academic record needs to be excellent, and you’ll likely need prior research experience and you may even need to have publications already. However, a direct entry PhD program is around 4-5 years, but it allows you to skip the 1-2 years it would take to earn a master’s degree.

You can also choose to enroll in an online or accelerated PhD program that is designed to be much shorter than the traditional PhD. Once again, though, these programs are not available to students in every field, so you may need to research whether there are any options for you.

#2 Choose the right mentor

One of the first things you can do to ensure your PhD is smooth sailing is to choose the right mentor or academic advisor. Many programs allow you to choose your advisor, while some assign one to you. Whatever the case, it’s important to establish a strong working relationship and clear expectations early on.

One of the first things you’ll do as a PhD student is meet with your advisor. Take the time to discuss with them what your expectations for the program are, ask questions and ask them what their expectations are of you. Your advisor is there to help you and advise you, and they have resources and connections you can use to your advantage. But they are also working with a busy schedule and might be advising more than one PhD student, too. A mutually respectful relationship with open communication will ensure fewer interpersonal hurdles down the road.

#3 Earn credit hours faster

One way you can shave some time off your PhD is by earning your credit hours faster and getting to the research and thesis-writing stage faster. This might mean you take on a full-time course load or ask your advisor for ways to earn extra credit, such as participating in research projects. Some PhD programs will give you course credit for previous graduate level coursework you might have completed during your master’s degree, or for certifications and professional education you completed outside of school.

#4 Keep your thesis focused

When you get started on your research, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed with the amount of work you need to complete, with the writing of your thesis on top of it all. One way to keep your research hyper-focused and on point is to keep your thesis topic narrow. If your subject is too broad, you’ll be spending way too much time in your research. Give yourself clear objectives and scope, and don’t deviate from your PhD proposal if you don’t have to.

There may be a million questions you want to explore within your PhD topic, but there will be other opportunities to explore them. Keep your focus narrow so you don’t spend years and years asking and answering research questions!

One of the best things you can do to get your PhD done faster and adjust to the experience of graduate school is to change your thinking. Adopt a growth mindset so that you’re open to new learning, willing to listen to constructive feedback on your proposal or thesis and willing to grow your skills. A PhD is an advanced program, and you’ll already be very skilled, but it is also an opportunity to learn and grow. There will be challenges for you, so be ready to meet and overcome them instead of letting them draw you back or slow you down.

#5 Develop your professional skills fast

A PhD is an opportunity to grow your professional skillset as much as it is an opportunity for you to contribute meaningfully to your field. If you haven’t already been working on skills such as communication, presenting or lecturing and writing, now is the time to start.

Strong writing skills will help you get your thesis finished and edited faster, as you’ll be more familiar with the process and understand what makes a strong document. It’s also a useful skill to learn how to write effective funding proposals or grant proposals. You may need to do so to secure funding for your research, but it’s a highly valuable skill in the workforce, too.

Good presentation skills will help you during your thesis defense or if you’re asked to present during a conference. They will also help you build confidence in your voice and ideas and make you a better communicator when you’re networking or job searching.

#6 Keep to your schedule

This is maybe the most important skill if you want to finish your PhD faster: make a detailed schedule and hold yourself accountable to it. If you like, you can plan out your entire PhD week by week from Day 1. Write down what your course schedule is, when you’ll do research and how many hours, when you’ll write and how many hours, what extracurriculars or personal activities will take up your time and so on.

A detailed schedule gives you an overview of your PhD and a timeline of when you’ll finish. It will keep you organized and accountable, so you can avoid procrastinating or avoidable speed bumps that might slow you down. It also helps you compartmentalize the many items on your to-do list so you don’t stress out about how much you need to accomplish.

When creating your schedule, especially during the research stage when there is no formal class schedule for you to adhere to, focus on deliverables. Set a date when you will submit a section of your thesis to your advisor, or when you will complete your literature review. Setting goals and clear outcomes will keep you on track and focused.

#7 Take initiative and be independent

The last tip to help you get your PhD done faster is to take initiative. Remember that a PhD is a largely independent endeavor. You’ll have the support of a committee or advisor, but you can’t rely on them to do the work for you or put everything on hold if they aren’t available when you need them. Be flexible and adaptable so you can keep working and moving forward, even if your schedule gets interrupted or needs to change to suit your situation.

It's also important to take the initiative in your learning. Take advantage of opportunities for growth, networking, and gaining experience where you can. Get the most out of your PhD program and use your experiences to fuel your end goal of completing your thesis.

On average, it takes 4-5 years to get a PhD. There are a few factors that can influence the time it takes to complete your PhD, from program length and structure to what country you are earning your PhD in, to your own personal work ethic and schedule.

PhD programs in the US are on average 4-6 years. In Canada and the UK, they are usually 3-5 years long. Part-time PhD programs may take up to 7-8 years to complete. Direct-entry PhD programs and dual master’s and PhD programs are typically 5 years long. If you’re enrolling in an online, hybrid or accelerated PhD program, the timeline is usually 2-3 years, but there are some extremely short 1-year PhD programs offered online for specific disciplines.

Yes, you can finish your PhD before the “normal” timeline. For example, if you complete your coursework early, if you finish writing your thesis faster than average and get it approved, or if you otherwise complete all your PhD program requirements before the anticipated finish date. 

Yes, there are online PhDs available for certain fields and disciplines. These typically range from 2-3 years, although there are some traditional 4-year PhD programs offered online. There are also some “accelerated” online PhDs which last 12-18 months.

A PhD program is not necessarily shorter if you first complete a master’s degree, but having gone through a master’s program can better prepare you to finish your PhD faster. Some PhD programs accept credit hours from your master’s degree towards the coursework requirements for a PhD, and if you’ve previously written a master’s thesis or completed some research during your graduate studies, this will be an advantage. Since you’ll already be familiar with the process of writing a thesis and conducting your own research, you can avoid some stumbling blocks in your PhD program that might otherwise slow down your progress.

Yes, it is possible to get a PhD without first completing a master’s degree. There are direct entry PhD programs that allow students with a bachelor’s degree to enroll, so long as they meet the admission requirements and have exceptional academic records. Some online PhDs also waive the master’s degree requirement.

Yes, it is possible to complete a traditional PhD program in a shorter amount of time than anticipate. This usually means dedicating yourself to full-time study or taking on a larger course load and increased research hours. It takes significant work, but it can be done with the right schedule and commitment.

The fastest PhD programs are the short, 1-year accelerated programs. These programs have fewer credit hours to complete, and some have no dissertation requirement, only qualifying exams to finish. However, there are not many programs out there, and they are not available for every field of interest.

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How Long Does It Take to Get a PhD?

If you aspire to rise to the top of your field, then you may have your sights set on a PhD.

Earning a doctoral degree can be a years-long process, but choosing an accelerated doctoral online program may help you complete your program more quickly.

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Whether you’re wanting to earn one of the highest paying doctoral degrees or you have a specific one in mind, this guide can help walk you through how long it takes to complete your PhD program.

For a traditional, campus-based PhD program, the average time to finish a PhD is 8 years. Fulfilling the program’s requirements will often demand a serious investment of your time.

Even still, some people are able to finish their programs in just 3 to 6 years. Multiple factors may influence the overall length of your program.

Required Credit Hours

Many PhD programs require you to earn 120 credit hours before entering the exam and dissertation phases.

Fortunately, there are PhD programs without such high credit-hour demands. For example, at some universities, you may earn a PhD with only 60 credit hours.

Full-Time vs. Part-Time Schedule

Enrolling in a doctoral program part-time may allow you to keep up with your regular job. You’ll have to decide whether you prefer the flexibility of part-time schooling or the faster schedule of full-time studies.

Final Project Requirements

Many PhD programs end with the completion of a dissertation. This assignment may take years to complete, so PhD students often end up in the all-but-dissertation (ABD) phase for quite some time.

University Scheduling

Some schools promote their ability to help you through the PhD process faster than normal. Accelerated class schedules with eight-week online courses may speed your studies along. Focused attention from dissertation advisors may help as well.

PhD Program Components

Before you enroll in a PhD program, it’s important to know some of the basic requirements:

Prerequisites

Most schools require you to already hold a master’s degree, but some offer bachelor’s-to-PhD programs.

Length to Completion

On average, it takes eight years to earn a PhD. Even still, completing doctoral coursework and a dissertation in three to four years is not unheard of.

Topic of Interest

PhD stands for Doctor of Philosophy, but that doesn’t mean you’ll be getting a philosophy degree. Your field of study will depend on your interests and the programs that your university offers. You may tailor your doctoral focus though your choice of a dissertation topic.

Steps to Completion

You’ll take advanced classes before sitting for comprehensive exams. After passing your exams, you’ll likely begin working on a dissertation. You must defend your dissertation before finishing your program.

Doctoral studies begin with a series of classes through which you may increase your knowledge of your field of study and learn about conducting research. These are advanced classes, so they should be more in-depth than the ones you took during your undergraduate and master’s programs.

The number of courses that you need to take can vary significantly. It’s not uncommon for PhD programs to require 120 credit hours of coursework. That amounts to about 40 classes.

At other schools, the requirements are lower. Your university’s program may involve just 60 credit hours or, possibly, even fewer. A less intense course load may significantly slash your time to completion.

Your university may require you to maintain a GPA above a minimum threshold. An unsatisfactory GPA may keep you from moving on to the next step of the PhD process.

Comprehensive Examinations

Universities often require students to demonstrate their readiness for a doctoral project before advancing to the next stage of their studies. Readiness is proven through comprehensive exams , which may also be known as:

• Preliminary examinations
• Major field examinations
• General examinations

Often, comprehensive exams take the form of written or oral tests. In other situations, faculty may assess students’ readiness on the basis of a portfolio evaluation or a written paper.

Dissertation and Defense

A dissertation, also known as a graduate thesis, is a body of work that presents original research in your field. This manuscript focuses on a unique idea and includes evidence to support your thesis. During your doctoral studies, there are classes designed to help prepare you for your dissertation work.

The dissertation process may take several years. Once your manuscript is complete, you must defend it to the doctoral program faculty. After your defense, you may need to do further work on your manuscript, or the committee may decide that your dissertation is complete.

Not all programs require a dissertation. Instead, there may be an alternative doctoral project. Although both dissertations and capstone projects are rigorous, projects can sometimes be completed within a shorter time frame.

Average Time to Complete PhD by Field of Study

Students in some disciplines usually take a lot more time to finish their doctoral work than students in other fields.

If you’re studying in the following scientific fields, you may be more likely to earn your on-campus degree in seven years or less:

• Physics — average of five years
• Psychology — average of five to seven years

On the other hand, if your field of study relates more to the humanities, your on-campus degree program may take longer:

• History — average of eight years
• English — average of eight years
• Education — average of 13 years

These are the traditional figures. There are ways to finish faster.

Why Does It Take So Long to Finish a Traditional PhD?

Some schools require doctoral students to take around 40 classes, which, in a traditional on-campus setting, may take years. After completing the coursework, you must write your dissertation and defend it. The dissertation process alone might take multiple years.

Doctoral programs online may help shorten the PhD process to three or four years. Fewer credit hours may be required, and the classes may be delivered in an accelerated format.

Schools with an emphasis on quick doctoral programs may also offer dissertation advisors to efficiently guide students through that phase. Alternatively, some universities allow students to complete capstone projects that don’t take as long as dissertations.

Getting a PhD Online vs. Campus

Online education has changed students’ options for earning a PhD. These days, aspiring students may choose whether to attend classes on a college campus or online.

Traditional programs may require you to relocate to the university’s campus and attend school full-time. On average, it takes just over eight years to complete those programs. The benefits of choosing an online school instead may include:

Faster Progress

Accelerated eight-week courses may allow you to finish your course load sooner. You may complete your entire program in just three or four years.

Multiple Start Dates

Online programs often let you join throughout the year, so you don’t have to put your studies on hold until the fall semester.

Flexibility

Not being required to move to campus or come to class at set times may allow you to work your studies around your schedule.

Equal Status

Online programs are just as rigorous as on-campus ones. As long as your university is accredited, your degree will be just as valuable as one from a traditional university setting.

Cost-Savings

Finishing your doctoral studies faster may mean that you pay less tuition.

How to Finish Your PhD in Less Time

Although you can’t earn a doctoral degree overnight, you shouldn’t have to spend the majority of your working years striving toward PhD-completion. The following tips for accelerating the PhD process may help you finish your studies more quickly than the average doctoral student.

1. Use What You Already Know

Every school requires a minimum number of credit hours that you must earn in the pursuit of your degree. To help you meet this threshold, some schools will allow you to transfer in credits from other doctoral programs. Universities may also give you credit for your professional experience. Reducing your class load may save you both time and money.

2. Look for Short Classes

Accelerated course schedules are one of the best ways to speed through the degree process. Every eight weeks, you’ll begin a new set of classes. Over the course of a year, there may be five different sessions during which you can take classes.

3. Work on Your Dissertation Throughout the Program

Traditionally, dissertation work begins once the classroom portion of your studies is over. Quick doctoral programs may allow you to begin the dissertation process while you’re still taking other classes. This approach, known as an embedded dissertation, may reduce the likelihood that you’ll drop out before finishing your final project. It might also speed up your doctoral timeline.

4. Ask for Help

A lack of support can lead some doctoral students to drop out. On the other hand, having a good support system can help you push through and finish your program more quickly. Build a team of family, friends, and academic mentors who can encourage you, guide you, and lend practical help when you’re feeling overwhelmed by school.

Why Get a PhD?

You may need to earn a doctoral degree to achieve your career goals . For example, if you want to become a clinical psychologist, this level of study is essential. Many scientific and research positions require doctoral studies. University faculty typically need to hold terminal degrees as well.

Even if a doctorate is not a requirement for your desired line of work, it may help you achieve greater success. You might be granted higher levels of responsibility, and you may earn more money. In some fields, those who hold PhDs make around 20% more than those with master’s degrees, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics .

Do You Have to Have a Master’s Degree to Get a PhD?

Many schools consider a master’s degree an essential prerequisite for PhD admission. If you don’t already have a master’s degree, a bachelor’s-to-doctorate program may allow you to earn a master’s and a PhD for less time and money than it would take to pursue them separately.

How Long Does It Take to Get a PhD After a Master’s?

You may be able to complete your doctoral program in three to four years if you opt for an accelerated online program. On average, traditional on-campus PhD programs take around eight years to complete.

How Hard Is It to Finish a PhD?

Doctoral studies are challenging. That shouldn’t come as a surprise; if doctorates were easy to acquire, nearly every college graduate would end up with a PhD behind his or her name.

Approximately 50% of students who begin a PhD program don’t end up finishing. Many quit within two years of starting. Another large portion gives up upon reaching the dissertation phase.

Although all PhD programs are challenging, the flexible nature of online programs may help you find success. Choosing a doctoral track that doesn’t require a dissertation may help as well.

What Is the Easiest PhD to Get?

All PhD programs are demanding, but you might have an easier time if you select a program that aligns with your interests and your career goals. The flexibility of online study may help your doctoral program seem less burdensome. In addition, capstone projects are sometimes easier than writing dissertations.

If earning a doctoral degree in a short time frame is important to you, then consider the many potential benefits that online programs have to offer. Within just a few years, you may be able to place the letters “PhD” at the end of your name.

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How Long Does It Take to Get a Ph.D. Degree?

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Earning a Ph.D. from a U.S. grad school typically requires nearly six years, federal statistics show.

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A Ph.D. is most appropriate for someone who is a “lifelong learner.” 

Students who have excelled within a specific academic discipline and who have a strong interest in that field may choose to pursue a Ph.D. degree. However, Ph.D. degree-holders urge prospective students to think carefully about whether they truly want or need a doctoral degree, since Ph.D. programs last for multiple years.

According to the Survey of Earned Doctorates, a census of recent research doctorate recipients who earned their degree from U.S. institutions, the median amount of time it took individuals who received their doctorates in 2017 to complete their program was 5.8 years. However, there are many types of programs that typically take longer than six years to complete, such as humanities and arts doctorates, where the median time for individuals to earn their degree was 7.1 years, according to the survey.

Some Ph.D. candidates begin doctoral programs after they have already obtained master’s degrees, which means the time spent in grad school is a combination of the time spent pursuing a master’s and the years invested in a doctorate. In order to receive a Ph.D. degree, a student must produce and successfully defend an original academic dissertation, which must be approved by a dissertation committtee. Writing and defending a dissertation is so difficult that many Ph.D. students drop out of their Ph.D. programs having done most of the work necessary for degree without completing the dissertation component. These Ph.D. program dropouts often use the phrase “ all but dissertation ” or the abbreviation “ABD” on their resumes.

According to a comprehensive study of  Ph.D. completion rates  published by The Council of Graduate Schools in 2008, only 56.6% of people who begin Ph.D. programs earn Ph.D. degrees.

Ian Curtis, a founding partner with H&C Education, an educational and admissions consulting firm, who is pursuing a Ph.D. degree in French at Yale University , says there are several steps involved in the process of obtaining a Ph.D. Students typically need to fulfill course requirements and pass comprehensive exams, Curtis warns. “Once these obligations have been completed, how long it takes you to write your dissertation depends on who you are, how you work, what field you’re in and what other responsibilities you have in life,” he wrote in an email. Though some Ph.D. students can write a dissertation in a single year, that is rare, and the dissertation writing process may last for several years, Curtis says.

[ READ: What Is a Doctorate or a Doctoral Degree?  ]

Curtis adds that the level of support a Ph.D. student receives from an academic advisor or faculty mentor can be a key factor in determining the length of time it takes to complete a Ph.D. program. “Before you decide to enroll at a specific program, you’ll want to meet your future advisor,” Curtis advises. “Also, reach out to his or her current and former students to get a sense of what he or she is like to work with.”

Curtis also notes that if there is a gap between the amount of time it takes to complete a Ph.D. and the amount of time a student’s funding lasts, this can slow down the Ph.D. completion process. “Keep in mind that if you run out of funding at some point during your doctorate, you will need to find paid work, and this will leave you even less time to focus on writing your dissertation,” he says. “If one of the programs you’re looking at has a record of significantly longer – or shorter – times to competition, this is good information to take into consideration.”

Pierre Huguet, the CEO and co-founder of H&C Education, says prospective Ph.D. students should be aware that a Ph.D. is designed to prepare a person for a career as a scholar. “Most of the jobs available to Ph.D. students upon graduation are academic in nature and directly related to their fields of study: professor, researcher, etc.,” Huguet wrote in an email. “The truth is that more specialization can mean fewer job opportunities. Before starting a Ph.D., students should be sure that they want to pursue a career in academia, or in research. If not, they should make time during the Ph.D. to show recruiters that they’ve traveled beyond their labs and libraries to gain some professional hands-on experience.”

Jack Appleman, a business writing instructor, published author and Ph.D. candidate focusing on organizational communication with the  University at Albany—SUNY , says Ph.D. programs require a level of commitment and focus that goes beyond what is necessary for a typical corporate job. A program with flexible course requirements that allow a student to customize his or her curriculum based on academic interests and personal obligations is ideal, he says.

[ READ: Ph.D. Programs Get a Lot More Practical.  ]

Joan Kee, a professor at the University of Michigan  with the university’s history of art department, says that the length of time required for a Ph.D. varies widely depending on what subject the Ph.D. focuses on. “Ph.D. program length is very discipline and even field-specific; for example, you can and are expected to finish a Ph.D, in economics in under five years, but that would be impossible in art history (or most of the humanities),” she wrote in an email.

Jean Marie Carey, who earned her Ph.D. degree in art history and German from the  University of Otago  in New Zealand, encourages prospective Ph.D. students to check whether their potential Ph.D. program has published a timeline of how long it takes a Ph.D. student to complete their program. She says it is also prudent to speak with Ph.D. graduates of the school and ask about their experience.

Bennett urges prospective Ph.D. students to visit the campuses of their target graduate programs since a Ph.D. program takes so much time that it is important to find a school that feels comfortable. She adds that aspiring Ph.D. students who prefer a collaborative learning environment should be wary of graduate programs that have a cut-throat and competitive atmosphere, since such students may not thrive in that type of setting.

[ READ: 4 Fields Where Doctorates Lead to Jobs.  ]

Alumni of Ph.D. programs note that the process of obtaining a Ph.D. is arduous, regardless of the type of Ph.D. program. “A Ph.D. is a long commitment of your time, energy and financial resources, so it’ll be easier on you if you are passionate about research,” says Grace Lee, who has a Ph.D. in neuroscience and is the founder and CEO of Mastery Insights, an education and career coaching company, and the host of the Career Revisionist podcast.

“A Ph.D. isn’t about rehashing years of knowledge that is already out there, but rather it is about your ability to generate new knowledge. Your intellectual masterpiece (which is your dissertation) takes a lot of time, intellectual creativity and innovation to put together, so you have to be truly passionate about that,” Lee says.

Erin Skelly, a graduate admissions counselor at the IvyWise admissions consulting firm, says when a Ph.D. students struggles to complete his or her Ph.D. degree, it may have more to do with the student’s academic interests or personal circumstances than his or her program.

“The time to complete a Ph.D. can depend on a number of variables, but the specific discipline or school would only account for a year or two’s difference,” she wrote in an email. “When a student takes significantly longer to complete a Ph.D. (degree), it’s usually related to the student’s coursework and research – they need to take additional coursework to complete their comprehensive exams; they change the focus of their program or dissertation, requiring extra coursework or research; or their research doesn’t yield the results they hoped for, and they need to generate a new theory and conduct more research.”

Skelly warns that the average completion time of a Ph.D. program may be misleading in some cases, if the average is skewed based on one or two outliers. She suggests that instead of focusing on the duration of a particular Ph.D. program, prospective students should investigate the program’s attritition and graduation rates.

“It is worthwhile to look at the program requirements and the school’s proposed timeline for completion, and meet current students to get their input on how realistic these expectations for completion are,” Skelly says. “That can give you an honest idea of how long it will really take to complete the program.”

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College Hour Requirements for a PhD

How Long Does a PhD in Physics Take?

Becoming a doctor of philosophy, or Ph.D., is no easy feat, and it's not for those who have limited time or motivation. Depending on which school a student attends and the chosen discipline, earning a doctorate can be quite time consuming. The credit-hour requirements for a doctoral degree may differ slightly from institution to institution, but in general, they're composed of the same categories of courses. Students must complete field of concentration credit hours, research credit hours and credit hours devoted to the completion of a dissertation.

Total Credit Hours

Schools operate on either the quarter system or the semester system, which require different numbers of total credit hours for a degree. Though there can be some variation, a school may require 96 quarter hours or 64 semester hours to complete a doctoral program. A conversion ratio of two semester hours to three quarter hours can be used to compare the total number of credit hours. For instance, a student who has earned 24 semester hours will have accumulated an equivalent of 36 quarter hours. This conversion process is only relevant if a student transfers credit into a doctoral program -- for example, from a master's degree program.

Credit Hours for Concentration

The doctor of philosophy title represents a degree, but does not reveal the area of concentration. For instance, a student may pursue a doctorate in economics, English literature, history of western civilization or educational leadership. The area of concentration is the chief area of graduate study and usually includes a requirement of about 48 semester hours. Although the requirement of concentration hours varies among institutions, the majority of the doctoral program's credit hours fall into this category. However, unlike the undergraduate core curriculum, virtually all credit hours in the program are at least indirectly related to the student's discipline.

Credit Hours for Research Methods

The vast majority of doctoral programs focus on research and require quantitative and qualitative research methods courses, in addition to courses on research design. Again, the number of hours required varies across institutions, but 24 semester hours of research coursework is typical. Additionally, programs may require practical evidence that students can perform quantitative and qualitative research. This may take place as part of the research courses, in which projects can provide evidence of proficiency, or through the more in-depth work required to complete the dissertation.

Credit Hours for the Dissertation

The culminating and most difficult part of a doctoral program is completing the dissertation. Though the requirement for dissertation credit hours may vary slightly, Mercer University requires 12 quarter hours for the dissertation work, which corresponds to 18 semester hours. During these courses, students conduct the majority of their dissertation-writing. In general, students also spend a portion of the first two or three years in a doctoral program selecting a research topic, determining appropriate research design and beginning the proposal process.

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• University of Illinois: Department of Biosciences, MS and PhD Requirements
• U.S. Geological Survey: Combining Graduate Education & Professional/Specialized Experience For GS-07
• George Washington University: Research-Oriented Doctoral Programs
• FindaPhD.com: PhD study: PhDs: What They Don't Tell You
• New York Times: Exploring Ways to Shorten the Ascent to a Ph.D.

Katherine Bradley began writing in 2006. Her education and leadership articles have been published on Education.com, Montessori Leadership Online and the Georgia Educational Researcher. Bradley completed a Ph.D. in educational leadership from Mercer University in 2009.

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Office of Institutional Compliance

University Policy Library

Credit Requirements for Master's and Doctoral Degrees

+ table of contents, policy statement, reason for policy, forms/instructions, frequently asked questions, definitions, responsibilities, related information.

Please use the contact section below.

This policy governs the credit requirements for the following degrees:

• Master’s Plan A degrees
• Master’s Plan B degrees
• Master’s Plan C degrees
• Doctoral degrees

Credit requirements for master’s degrees

• Plan A degrees: 10 master’s thesis credits (xxxx8777) and a minimum of 20 graduate-level course credits.
• Plan B degrees: a minimum of 30 graduate-level course credits, including Plan B Project credits as defined by each program and approved by the college.
• Plan C degrees: a minimum of 30 graduate-level course credits.
• 36 credits with a combination of course and thesis for a master’s Plan A
• 36 credits with a combination of course and Plan B project credits for a master’s Plan B, and
• 48 course credits for a master’s Plan C.
• Master’s thesis credits (xxxx8777) may be taken for the master’s Plan A at any time during a student’s degree program.
• A minimum of 6 graduate-level course credits is required for a master’s level minor.

Credit requirements for doctoral degrees

• Doctoral degrees must consist of a minimum of 48 credits: a minimum of 24 graduate-level course credits and a minimum of 24 doctoral thesis credits (xxxx8888).
• No collegiate unit or program may require more than 72 credits with a combination of course and doctoral thesis credits (xxxx8888) for the completion of the doctoral degree.
• Programs have the discretion, with college approval, to determine when it is academically appropriate for students to take doctoral thesis credits (xxxx8888).
• A minimum of 12 graduate-level course credits is required for a doctoral level minor.

Collegiate deans or the appropriate campus Vice Chancellor may request exceptions from the Executive Vice President and Provost to items 1b and 2b based on accreditation requirements, national standards of the field, interdisciplinary nature of the program or similar arguments. Collegiate deans or the appropriate campus Vice Chancellor may petition the Provost for an exception to the 24 doctoral thesis-credit (xxxx8888) minimum in item 2a on behalf of doctoral programs that do not require dissertations. The petition should show that the exception conforms to national standards in the field and that appropriate additional credits (course credits, internships, project credits, etc.) will replace the 24 doctoral thesis credits (xxxx8888).

This policy does not apply to the J.D., M.D., PharmD., D.V.M., D.D.S., L.L.M., and M.B.A (Twin Cities) degrees.

This policy establishes the minimum and maximum credit requirements for Master’s Plan A, B, and C degrees and for Doctoral degrees. It provides a framework for curriculum development that balances coursework, research training, and independent scholarly work.

• Early Doctoral Thesis Credit Registration Option
• UM 1760: Request for Exception to the Maximum Requirements for Master's and Doctoral Degrees (docx)
• FAQ: Credit Requirements for Master's and Doctoral Degrees

Graduate-level Course Credits

Graduate-level course credits that are primarily numbered as 5xxx or above, excluding thesis credits. Graduate programs may choose to allow 4xxx-level course credits to be applied toward a graduate degree, up to the limit specified in Administrative Policy: Application of Credits for Students Earning Graduate Degrees.

Plan B Project Credits

Credits taken by the students in relation to their Plan B project as part of the degree requirements.

Early doctoral thesis credit registration

Registration for doctoral thesis credits (xxxx8888) prior to passing the preliminary oral examination.

Research-ready criteria

“Research-ready” criteria for early doctoral thesis credit registration eligibility are expected to vary by discipline but may include the structure of the program’s curriculum (e.g., early research activities/requirements built into the curriculum), a specific baseline of prior research experience(s), or other criteria that can be identified and consistently applied.

Thesis Credits

Credits taken by students in relation to their research work as part of the degree requirements. These include: xxxx-8777 (master’s thesis credits) and xxxx-8888 (doctoral thesis credits).

Colleges and Programs

Request exceptions from the Executive Vice President and Provost to items 1b and 2b based on accreditation requirements, national standards of the field, interdisciplinary nature of the program or similar arguments.

Determine whether to require doctoral students to pass the preliminary oral examination prior to thesis credit (xxxx8888) registration, or to provide the program’s “research ready” doctoral students the option to register for xxxx8888 prior to the preliminary oral examination.

Publicize the graduate program’s decision whether its doctoral students must pass the preliminary oral examination prior to thesis credit (xxxx8888) registration.

Determine and publicize the graduate program’s criteria for assessing its students’ eligibility (i.e., “research readiness”) to register for xxxx8888, if registration prior to passing the preliminary oral examination will be allowed.

There is no Related Information associated with this policy.

December 2020 - Comprehensive Review changes.

• Exceptions section edited to include the list of degrees exempt from this policy. (Noted:  Not a change per se; reflects original intention and existing practice.)
• The revised Early Doctoral Thesis Credit Registration Option document is reconfigured, and now includes information previously found in the (now deleted) Implementation of Doctoral Thesis Credit Policy appendix.
• The Implementation of Doctoral Thesis Credit Policy appendix is deleted, as much of the information is now obsolete.
• Definitions section edited to reflect feedback from the Equity Lens Policy Review committee, which requested a definition of “research ready.” Edits also include a definition of “early doctoral thesis credit registration” and corrected policy name/link.
• Responsibilities section edited to reflect feedback from the Equity Lens Policy Review committee. Edits emphasize the program/college responsibilities to identify, publicize, and consistently apply discipline-specific “research ready” criteria for early doctoral thesis credit registration.

June 2015 - Comprehensive Review, Minor Revision: The changes provide greater clarity around the specific type of credits. Removed the effective date of the policy statement, which was inserted when this policy was first created.

September 2011 - New Policy, Comprehensive Review. Establishes the minimum and maximum credit requirements for Master's Plan A, B, and C degrees and for Doctoral degrees. Provides a framework for curriculum development that balances coursework, research training, and independent scholarly work. Eliminates the requirement for outside coursework in view of the trend towards interdisciplinary curricula within many programs. Programs are given the option to require a minor or supporting program where warranted by educational objectives. Outlines a process by which collegiate deans may request exceptions.

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Doctorate (PhD, EdD, EngD, PhD by Special Regulations)

Doctoral degrees are awarded to those who have demonstrated all of the criteria below: 

• a significant contribution to the field of study through the creation and interpretation of new knowledge, connection of previously unrelated facts or the development of new theory or revision of older views;
• submission of work of a quality in whole or in part of a standard to merit publication (whether or not subsequently published);
• provides evidence of the acquisition of knowledge and a detailed understanding of applicable techniques for research and advanced academic enquiry;
• is of a quality and quantity to reflect three years of full-time postgraduate study/five years part-time postgraduate study.

Master of Science/Master of Letters

The Master of Science or Master of Letters degrees are awarded to those who have demonstrated all of the criteria below:

• provides evidence of a useful contribution to the field of study;
• systematic understanding of knowledge and critical awareness of current problems and/or new insights in the field of study
• includes critical evaluation of current methodologies and wider research in the area of study;
• provides evidence of an understanding of applicable techniques for research and advanced academic enquiry;
• submission of work of a quality and quantity expected for two years of full-time postgraduate research and study

Master of Philosophy

The Master of Philosophy degree is awarded to those who have demonstrated all of the criteria below:

• understanding of knowledge and critical awareness of current problems and/or new insights in the field of study;
• submission of work of a quality and quantity expected for one year of full-time postgraduate research and study

Form of work

All students are expected to submit a thesis.  Content of a thesis may differ by subject, but it is expected to include critical review, reworking of existing material providing the provenance of such material is clearly identified, and the results of the original investigation carried out during the course.  In some cases it may also include submission of compositions or recorded work (e.g for a degree in Music).

A thesis may contain previously published material as an integral part of the thesis. This material should be set in the context of an overall thesis (as part of a connected argument) with suitable introductory and concluding passages to link the published material to the rest of the work.   Although permissible, it is not expected that a thesis submitted for the awards of MSc, MLitt or MPhil will include published works.

The amount of previously published material to include is up to each candidate, however included publications must refer to research carried out as part of a candidate’s degree and the thesis must keep within the word limits specified by the relevant Degree Committee . 

Candidates for the PhD by Special Regulations and, with the approval of the relevant Degree Committee, candidates for the PhD (by general regulations) and the EdD may submit a thesis consisting of a number of previously published papers.  In these cases the thesis must also contain a substantial introductory summary statement summarising rationale; placing the work in the context of the wider field of study;  clarifying the extent to which works represent a consistent body of research, and the original contribution to knowledge they make; and providing clear detail on the exact contribution of the student to each included paper.  It would not be necessary for any published work to be re-written prior to inclusion in a thesis.  The amount of published material to include is up to each candidate, however with the exception of candidates for the PhD by Special Regulations the included publications must refer to research carried out as part of a candidate’s degree.  All candidates must also keep within the word limits specified by the relevant Degree Committee .

Works will be considered as ‘published’ if they are traceable in ordinary catalogue and copies are obtainable at the time of application or were at some previous time by members of the public through normal channels. 

The thesis must also be submitted in the approved  format .

Assessment  

The examination shall consist of submission of a thesis embodying the results of the candidate’s approved course of research, and examination on the general field of knowledge within which it falls.

Examiners will assess on the extent to which the thesis:

• is clearly written;
• fulfils the requirements for the degree.

  The oral examination should allow:

• the candidate to defend his or her thesis and clarify any matters raised by the Examiners;
• the Examiners to probe the candidate’s knowledge in the general field;
• the Examiners to assure themselves that the work presented is the candidate’s own and to clarify matters of any collaboration; and
• the Examiners to come to a definite conclusion about the outcome of the examination.

For MPhil programmes where the supplementary programme regulations state requirements for the examination, these shall be supplementary to the guidance detailed above.

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A Complete Guide to College Credits for Graduation

College credits are units that measure the learning of students during their degrees. You may be wondering how many credits to graduate college are needed. In this article, we will determine how many hours you need to graduate college, along with other vital information like semester hours vs credit hours.

Let’s look at the credit hours required for different degree levels and subjects. Find out what transfer credits are and what schools accept transfer credits. Learn how many credits you need to graduate college, how many transfer credits colleges accept, and more. You can meet the education requirements for your degree and graduate with a strong academic record.

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What are college credits.

College credits are units that measure how much learning a student will complete during a college degree. Each course that you take has a specific number of credits assigned to it. Usually, each credit represents one hour of attendance in class and two hours of independent work each week.

Most college courses have three credits per class. During each three-credit course, students will spend three hours per week in the classroom listening to lectures and six hours per week completing assignments and studying independently.

Types of College Credits

There are a few different college credit types depending on different kinds of courses. You get elective credits, major credits, and general education credits. The course will award you a specific type of credit, and each degree program has specific college credit hour requirements. You will need a particular number of major, elective, and general education credits for graduation.

Area of Study

Area of study credits, also known as major credits, are credits earned through courses directly related to your major. A student’s major is the main subject they are studying during their degree programs, such as economics, engineering, or graphic design. Each degree has a specific number of credits you need to earn by taking major courses.

General Education

General education credits are aimed at giving students a broad knowledge of subjects such as mathematics, oral communication, and writing. Math courses, literature courses, and history courses will help students earn general education credits. Each university usually has a list of general education courses students can choose from.

Elective credits are earned through elective courses, which are courses that students can choose from. These elective courses will make up the additional credit hours needed to meet the graduation requirements. Taking easy electives can help you meet education requirements while getting a higher grade point average.

How Many Hours Do You Need to Graduate College?

You will need 120 credits to graduate college with a bachelor’s degree. You need to earn a specific number of credit hours depending on your degree program. Each degree level has a particular number of credits required for graduation. If you are pursuing an associate program, you need to earn approximately 60 credit hours.

For example, an Associate of Arts degree takes two years to complete, meaning students will need to earn 15 credits per semester. While completing a bachelor’s degree, students usually need to earn 120 course credits to qualify for graduation. Undergraduate degree programs typically require more credit hours than graduate degrees.

A student pursuing a master’s degree will need to earn 30 to 60 credits to reach degree completion. In comparison, doctoral degree credit requirements vary greatly and usually have between 30 to 90 credit hours. This depends on your major requirements and the type of program you’re enrolled in.

Semester Hours vs Credit Hours

Credit hours are the amount of credits a student will receive for the courses they are enrolled in. In comparison, semester hours are the number of credit hours students will earn and are enrolled in during a semester.

Some private and public institutions use these two terms interchangeably, so do your research and contact an advisor at your school of choice to understand the difference. Your credits can affect both your class schedule and your cumulative grade, so make sure you know what credits you’re getting.

How Many College Credits Is Full-Time?

Undergraduate college students need to be enrolled in a minimum of 12 credits per semester to be considered full-time students, according to the University of Nebraska Omaha. This rule applies to most colleges and universities, so do your research first.

Most full-time undergraduate students complete 12 to 15 credit hours per semester. Graduate students should be enrolled in at least nine credits per semester to be considered full-time students. These numbers will differ if you’re in summer classes or a specialized career field.

How Many College Credits Is Part-Time?

Students completing an undergraduate degree at a university or college must be enrolled in six credit hours per semester to be considered part-time. In contrast, graduate students usually must be enrolled in four credits each semester to qualify as part-time students. Completing a degree as a part-time student may take much longer than if you complete a full-time degree.

How Many Credits to Graduate College With an Associate Degree?

Each associate degree program has specific degree requirements to be able to graduate. Usually, an associate-level degree takes two years to complete and has 60 or more credit hours. Look at the table below of education credits required to graduate from an associate program in subjects like accounting, business administration, and computer science .

How Many Credits to Graduate College With a Bachelor’s Degree?

You will need to earn 120 credit hours or more during your bachelor’s degree to qualify for graduation. Each bachelor’s degree program has a specific amount of credit hours depending on the school and program requirements.

You can find particular credit requirements on each university’s official website. Read the table below of the credit requirements for an industrial design, economics, or artificial intelligence bachelor’s degree .

How Many Credits to Graduate College With a Master’s Degree?

The credit requirements for graduation from a master’s degree vary depending on the program. Most master’s degrees require 30 education credits or more to qualify for graduation. The list below will look at various master’s degrees in game development , advertising, and more. Read below to find out how many credits each program requires.

How Many Credits to Graduate College With a Doctorate Degree?

To graduate with a doctorate degree , you will need to earn around 30 education credits. A doctoral degree usually requires students to earn 30 or more academic credits to qualify for graduation, but special programs will differ in credit requirements.

Look at the detailed list below of different PhDs and their credit requirements. We will discuss how many credits you need to earn a PhD in Cyber Security and many more subjects. If your career goals include an advanced program like a doctoral degree, these credit requirements are important to look at.

What Are Transfer Credits?

Transfer credits are education credits students have earned during previous educational experiences in a different college or program. Students can transfer these credits to another university, which will count towards the minimum credit requirements of their degree or diploma at another higher education institution.

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Many colleges and universities accept transfer credits from transfer students, but some do not. Research transfer credit information on the school’s official website to determine whether it accepts transfer credits.

Colleges That Accept Transfer Credits

• Southern New Hampshire University . This highly reputable university allows transfer students to transfer up to 90 college credit hours. Southern New Hampshire University accepts transfer credits for both on-campus and online programs.
• University of Phoenix . Prospective students transferring to the University of Phoenix can transfer their credits as long as they have attended an accredited academic institution. Other students who have transferred credits to this postsecondary institution have saved between $5,000 and $12,000 on tuition.
• University of North Texas . Full-time students and part-time students at the University of North Texas can transfer up to 44 education credits. To transfer credits, there are also specific GPA requirements for students. Check the school’s official website to find out detailed transfer credit information.
• Saint Louis University . This four-year institution accepts college credits from other universities but requires students to have a grade of C or above to be eligible. Students can transfer an unlimited number of semester credits to Saint Louis University .
• Clemson University . Clemson University accepts transfer credits but requires students to submit their academic transcripts beforehand.

How Long Are College Credits Good For?

College credits are good for life and do not usually expire, although this can depend on the area of study. This is helpful for students who need to take breaks from studies for some reason or want to further their education later in their lives. However, several factors influence whether you can transfer your credits, such as the age of credits, their relevance, and the transfer policy of the school you choose to attend.

Do College Credits Expire?

No, college credits do not usually expire. However, certain credits may not be transferable for several reasons. Credits earned from courses in rapidly changing areas such as science, technology, engineering, and math, have a shelf life while general education courses do not. Reach out to the university or college of your choice to see how many of your credits earned are still usable.

How Many Credits Do You Need to Graduate College?

You will need between 30 and 180 credits to graduate college, depending on the degree level of your program and the subject. Each program is unique, and it’s up to you to determine how many credits are needed to graduate from the program.

Typically, undergraduate degrees consist of 60 to 180 credits, while graduate degrees require students to earn 30 to 90 credits to graduate. Make sure to do your research and become familiar with your chosen school’s credit transfer guidelines.

How Many Credits to Graduate College FAQ

Yes, you can complete a bachelor’s degree in less than four years if you have already completed an associate degree. This will allow you to transfer your credits earned during your associate degree to your bachelor’s degree. Transferring credits will save you time and money.

No, you cannot earn an associate, bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree without earning credits. However, many universities offer non-credit programs which will award you a certificate upon completion of the program.

Yes, online degrees will require the same credits as in-person degrees. The only differences between an online degree are that you will attend online classes, and it may take less or more time to finish depending on how much time you spend on your studies each week.

Yes, community colleges do accept transfer credits. Each community college has different transfer credit policies, so research these policies before transferring your credits.

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How The FAFSA Differs For Grad School

Updated: Jan 30, 2024, 10:41am

Returning to school for a graduate or professional degree is a big decision that more people are choosing. In fact, the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) estimates that enrollment in master’s, doctoral and professional degree programs will increase 6% by 2031.

Graduate school can be expensive, but many students don’t realize financial aid is available. Besides loans, you can use grants, assistantships and work-study programs to finance your degree.

To access financial aid, you must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)—the same form you filled out during undergrad. However, the FAFSA works differently for graduate students.

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Do i need to file a fafsa for grad school.

Earning a master’s degree can help accelerate your career, but you may be worried about the high cost of graduate school—and with good reason. The average annual cost of tuition and fees is about $20,000 for full-time graduate students, according to the NCES.

However, there are many financial aid opportunities available, if, you fill out the FAFSA .

Submitting the form, which should take under an hour, could result in major savings. The most recent data from the NCES shows the following statistics for the 2019-2020 award year:

• 74% of graduate students received some form of financial aid
• 43% of graduate students received grants, averaging $11,300 per student
• 12% of graduate students received assistantships, worth an average value of $18,800
• 39% of graduate students took out direct unsubsidized loans
• 11% of graduate students loans took out direct PLUS loans

If you skip the FAFSA as a graduate student, you could miss out on valuable financial aid, including gift aid that doesn’t require repayment.

How Does the FAFSA Work for Grad School?

The FAFSA for grad school is pretty similar to the FAFSA for undergraduate students. You’ll need the following information for the FAFSA form:

• Federal Student Aid (FSA) ID to sign into StudentAid.gov
• Social Security number or Alien Registration number
• Account statements for your checking and savings accounts
• Information about investment accounts
• Federal income tax returns
• Records of untaxed income

However, the FAFSA for graduate school differs in several key ways:

• Dependency status. Almost all graduate students are considered independent for financial aid purposes . This means you’ll only have to enter your own income and asset information rather than your parents’.
• Aid options. Graduate students have different loan and aid options than undergraduate students. As a graduate student, the only loans you can qualify for are direct unsubsidized loans and grad PLUS , so you’re responsible for all interest that accrues on your loan. Most grad students are also ineligible for Pell Grants, though you may qualify for other types of grant aid.
• Borrowing limits. Undergraduate student loans have annual and aggregate borrowing limits . Graduate unsubsidized loans also have borrower caps, but grad PLUS loans have no borrower maximum. You can borrow up to the total school-certified cost of attendance.

Grad School FAFSA Eligibility

As with undergraduate students, graduate school applicants are only eligible for federal financial aid if they meet the following requirements:

• Are U.S. citizens or eligible noncitizens
• Are planning to attend an accredited university in an eligible degree program
• Demonstrate financial need for programs like grants and work-study

In general, any degree you pursue after earning a bachelor’s degree is considered graduate school from a financial aid perspective. Graduate school financial aid includes financing for master’s degrees, business school and doctorate programs, as well as law, medical or dental school.

Financial Aid Options for Grad School

There are several forms of federal financial aid you can receive as a graduate student, based on your FAFSA information:

• Student loans. The government uses the FAFSA to determine your eligibility for federal student loans, which tend to have lower interest rates and more repayment options than private student loans for graduate school .
• Grants. You may be eligible for federal, state or local grants based on your FAFSA information. Grants are a form of gift aid and don’t need to be repaid. For federal grants, graduate students pursuing an education degree may be eligible for the Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant.
• Work-study. Another federal program available to graduate students, the work-study program helps you get a part-time job to offset your education expenses.

Grad School Loan Limits and Fees

If you’re like most graduate students, you’ll borrow some money to pay for your degree. On average, graduate borrowers took out about $26,000 in loans for the 2019-20 school year alone. For federal loans, there are two borrowing options:

• Direct unsubsidized loans. Direct unsubsidized loans for graduate students have an interest rate of 7.05% for the 2023-24 school year. The annual borrowing limit is $20,500 and lifetime limit is $138,500; any federal loans you took out for your undergraduate degree also count toward the lifetime maximum. The loan disbursement fee for unsubsidized loans is 1.057%.
• Grad PLUS loans. Unlike direct unsubsidized loans, PLUS loans don’t have an annual or aggregate limit. You can borrow up to the total cost of attendance in your program. However, PLUS loans have the highest interest rate of all federal loan options, at 8.05% for the 2023-24 school year. They also have a disbursement fee of 4.228%.

What To Expect After You Submit Your Graduate FAFSA

Submit your FAFSA as soon as you can after the application opens each year. After you submit it, you’ll receive your federal Student Aid Report (SAR) . The SAR summarizes the information on your FAFSA and explains your eligibility for financial aid. For the 2024-25 award year and onward, the SAR will be replaced with the FAFSA Submission Summary.

Contact your intended school’s financial aid office to see if there are any other steps you need to complete. Some universities have their own financial aid applications you’ll have to submit, or you may have to send in additional information to be considered for scholarships or other institutional aid.

The university will review your FAFSA information and other documents to determine your financial aid awards. They will send you a financial aid award letter detailing what grants, scholarships and student loans you’re eligible for and what steps you must complete to accept.

Once you’ve received your financial aid offer from the university and are enrolled at least half-time, any federal student loans you have from your undergraduate studies should be automatically deferred. If they’re not, you should ask the school you’re attending to report your enrollment to make you eligible for in-school deferment .

Planning for Graduate School

If you’re pursuing a master’s or another professional degree, filling out the FAFSA is an essential first step in paying for grad school . While the FAFSA for grad school has slightly different requirements than it does for undergraduate students, it can help you qualify for grants, work-study programs and federal student loans. To get the maximum amount of financial aid you deserve, apply as early as possible.

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For the past seven years, Kat has been helping people make the best financial decisions for their unique situations, whether they're looking for the right insurance policies or trying to pay down debt. Kat has expertise in insurance and student loans, and she holds certifications in student loan and financial education counseling.

Asked about aging and the presidency, Trump falsely claims Harris did not pass bar exam

The claim that former prosecutor kamala harris didn't pass the bar exam came up in 2020 when she was a presidential candidate. trump repeated it again wednesday without acknowledging she passed..

Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump , during an interview at the National Association of Black Journalists conference Wednesday, falsely claimed that presumptive Democratic nominee Vice President Kamala Harris failed to pass the California bar exam.

The falsity was said during an exchange when Semafor reporter Kaida Goba asked if the former president would step down if he felt he was unable to continue in the presidency if elected. Trump responded by challenging Harris, whom he is 19 years older than , to a cognitive test.

"She failed her bar exam. She did not pass her bar exam, so maybe she would not pass the cognitive test," Trump said. "She did not pass her bar exam, and she did not think she would pass it, and she did not think she would ever pass it, and I don't know what happened."

Harris has said that she did not pass the exam on her first attempt, but she later passed and was admitted to the California Bar the year after she finished law school.

Trump's claim came amongst a slew of derogatory attacks at the Vice President during the interview, including questioning the authenticity of her heritage.

"I didn't know she was Black until a number of years ago when she happened to turn Black, and now she wants to be known as Black," Trump said.

The former president also claimed that Harris was a  “DEI” candidate and called moderator Rachel Scott of ABC News rude for repeating the candidate's previous derogatory statements about the Black community.

Trump: I have never been asked a question in such a horrible manner, first question. You don't even say "Hello, how are you." Are you with ABC? Because I think they are a fake news network, a terrible network pic.twitter.com/K8qnUnYKUf — Acyn (@Acyn) July 31, 2024

Trump's interview was scheduled to last for an hour but was ended in less than 35 minutes with Scott closing the interview by saying, "we have to leave it there, by the Trump team."

The claim about Harris' bar-exam performance first appeared during the 2020 confirmation hearings of Associate Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett and is true but lacks context. Harris passed the bar exam and worked as a prosecutor in California before becoming the Attorney General in the state.

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Harris passed difficult exam

The bar exam is the qualifying examination for lawyers to receive a license to practice law in a given state.

California has a notoriously difficult bar exam. In 1985, the  Los Angeles Times  wrote that its pass rate "has generally hovered around 50%."

Harris graduated from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law in 1989.

Harris told the New York Times in 2016 that she failed the exam on her first attempt and consoled a recent law graduate who also failed the exam saying, "I told her, it's not a measure of your capacity."

The California Bar shows that Harris was admitted in 1990 and allowed her license to become inactive in February 2021.

In 2020, when the claim first appeared, the pass rate for " first timers " taking the test was just over 67%. Less than 45% of "first timers" that took the test in February passed , according to a report from the California Bar.

Charleston School of Law Dean Larry Cunningham told USA TODAY in 2020 that the exam has been criticized as "unrealistic" and insufficient to assess some important legal skills, like interviewing clients and arguing in court.

"These criticisms also explain why many law graduates who struggle to pass this high-stakes exam on the first attempt go on to become excellent lawyers and judges," he wrote.