Geology Graduate PhD

Doctoral students can complete their studies in any area where the faculty has sufficient expertise, including sedimentology, paleontology, tectonics, geobiology, glaciology, geophysics and hydrogeology.  The MS degree is not a prerequisite for admission to the doctoral program, and doctoral students are subject to the same initial requirements as master’s students.  A student that is initially admitted to the MS program but performs exceptionally well during the first two semesters may be invited to proceed directly toward the doctorate. Upon admission to the PhD program, the new student is classified as a PhD aspirant.  Once the student has completed coursework, completed a satisfactory PhD dissertation proposal, and passed oral comprehensive exams, the student is advanced to candidacy and classified as a PhD candidate. This degree program, usually completed in five years, requires coursework, publications and a dissertation.

The degree requirements for the Geology Ph.D. Program can be found in the KU Academic Catalog. 

Applications to the Geology PhD program can be submitted through Graduate Admissions.