PhD Steps to a Degree
Ph.D. Requirements, Milestones and Policies
See the Ph.D. Requirements for the rules that govern each step below.
Years 1-3: Completed Concurrently
- Complete the Background Coursework Requirements.
- Before enrolling in your 2nd semester find a supervising professor and identify a research area. Initially you will not have a specific topic. You also might choose to change topics and/or faculty supervisors a few times. Please be aware that too many changes delays your degree and at some point would be considered unsatisfactory progress by the department.
- Enroll in at least 1 conference course (CS 395) each semester until admission to candidacy. The CS 395 is supervised each semester by your research supervisor. Your first semester, CS 398T takes the place of the conference course.
- Choose 3 depth courses in consultation with your faculty research supervisor. Choose courses designed to prepare you for the research you plan to do, at most one of theses courses can be taken outside the CS department.
- Complete your Breadth Program,
- Schedule a Research Preparation Exam by the end of the 3rd year.
After Year 3
- Submit a Research Qualification (RQ) Document to the Graduate Office by the end of the 3rd year in the Ph.D. program.
- Write and present your Dissertation Proposal and Advance to Candidacy.
- Schedule and Pass the Final Defense
- Submit the Dissertation to the Graduate School - you must follow the Graduate School's rules in preparing your dissertation.
How Your Progress Is Reviewed
Feedback from your research supervisor and the faculty as a whole matters throughout. The CS Graduate Studies Committee (GSC) meets at the beginning of each semester. It is made up of all CS faculty and a few faculty from other departments who supervise research of CS Ph.D. students. At those meetings, the GSC reviews and approves Research Qualification (RQ) proposals and evaluates the progress of Ph.D. students.
Students will be informed if their performance is not satisfactory. Any student whose progress is deemed unsatisfactory for two consecutive semesters will be terminated from the Ph.D. program.
Earning the MSCS Along the Way
A CS Ph.D. student is eligible to receive the MSCS degree upon completion of all Graduate School requirements for the Master's degree. Check the MSCS degree requirements if you wish to pursue this option.
The 99 Hour Rule
The "99 hour rule" refers to the implementation of Senate Bill 961, passed by the Seventy-fifth Legislature. It is the rule that students at UT Austin with over 99 doctoral hours may be subject to the payment of nonresident tuition. See the Graduate School's policy page.
Milestone Timeline
| Milestone | Time Since Admission |
|---|---|
| Completion of breadth program | 1.5-2 years |
| Submission of Research Qualification Document | 2.5-3 years |
| Admission to candidacy | 2.5-4 years |
| Dissertation defense | 3-7 years |
Travel Support for Ph.D. Students
Funding and forms for presenting at conferences.
Special Doctoral Travel Support
Ph.D. students may apply for travel grants from a departmental fund allocated to support their travel to present papers at conferences. The Graduate Office calls for requests about six weeks into each semester.
To apply:
- Print the Application for Graduate Student Travel Support from the Forms Bank, then type or print your information on it.
- Get your faculty adviser's signature, then sign the form.
- Turn the form in to the CS Graduate Office in GDC 2.728.
- At least two weeks before travel, complete the online Request for Travel Authorization (RTA) and the additional forms linked on the RTA page.
If you already receive travel support from your research area, do not request departmental support. If your support comes directly from your research supervisor or another source, such as the conference, you may still submit a request. Indicate on the request that you have other funding and the amount.
Required for All Travel and Reimbursement
- Submit the Request for Travel Authorization (RTA) at least two weeks before travel. Questions go to the CS accounting office at accounting@cs.utexas.edu.
- Keep original, itemized travel receipts that show proof of payment. You need them to be reimbursed. Questions about what is required also go to the CS accounting office.
Traveling Abroad
The university has put into place a travel policy for all students traveling abroad. Please see the international travel policy and the steps to obtain travel authorization outside the U.S..
Graduate Student Travel Support
If you wish to apply for CS department travel funding please submit an Application for Graduate Student Travel Support, found in the Forms Bank. Follow the department deadlines announced by the CS graduate office for submitting the Application for Graduate Student Travel Support. Applications are usually due late September, late February, and late May.
Please do not request travel support from the department if you are already receiving travel support from your research area. If the support you expect to receive is directly from your research supervisor or another source, like the conference, you may submit a travel support request. Please indicate on the request if you are receiving other funding and the amount of that funding.
Professional Development Awards
The department receives some graduate student travel funding from your dean's office, the Graduate School, as Professional Development Awards. The department counts these as part of the total funding it can award and combines them with departmental travel money. If you receive one, the CS Graduate Office will contact you to complete the Graduate School's required form.
Important
Students who decide not to use awarded funds should notify the graduate office at gradoffice@cs.utexas.edu immediately. Timely notification allows the funds to be redistributed to other students.