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Students must complete this candidacy exam within the first four long semesters in residence. Failure to complete the exam within this time will remove students from the PhD program and place them in the Master’s program, with one additional long semester for completion of a terminal Master’s degree. A PhD supervisor may petition the Chemical Engineering graduate advisor in writing for a one-time extension of one long semester for completion of the exam due to exceptional circumstances. Students do not have to complete all 18 credit hours before scheduling or taking their candidacy exam.
After the Candidacy Exam
Apply for Candidacy through the Graduate School
- It is recommended that candidates apply for candidacy within 2 weeks of completion of the candidacy exam.
Register for dissertation credits
- The Graduate School requires you to register for *99W courses until you complete the degree. If you do not register for dissertation credits, the Graduate School will charge you for them anyway, and you will have to pay for these additional credits out of pocket. You must register for a minimum of 3 dissertation credits during spring and fall semesters. This means you can register for CHE 399W, a three-credit organized course, CHE 185, and 2 credits of research in a semester. Continuous registration is required during long semesters (fall and spring), not summer.
Continue Your Career Management
- Visit the Engineering Career Assistance Center website (you will need to log in to ENGRDirect)
- Learn more about Career Services provided by the Graduate School
- Consider pursuing additional certification through UT such as
- Graduate Portfolio Programs
- Graduate Certificate in Engineering Education
- Prepare for Future Faculty through the Supplemental Instruction program through the Sanger Learning Center and through the Faculty Innovation Center
- Student Employee Excellence Development
- Take advantage of UT programs like Texas Venture Labs or other courses outside the department
- Compete in the Three Minute Thesis
- Check out books from the Graduate Office Library
- Complete your Individual Development Plan
Recommended Timeline
Year 3: develop network and career documents; publish and present
Year 4: publish and present; revise career documents; begin applying for jobs in the fall
Year 5: complete research; interview for jobs; complete and defend dissertation
More Information
Forming a Dissertation Committee
Applying to Candidacy