Admission to Candidacy (Guidebook)

Admission to candidacy marks a key milestone in the doctoral journey, indicating that the student has completed all preliminary requirements and is ready to focus exclusively on dissertation research and writing. It is the official transition from Ph.D. student to Ph.D. candidate.

Eligibility for Candidacy

To be eligible for admission to candidacy, students must have:

  1. Successfully passed the comprehensive oral examination;
  2. Completed all required coursework and research skills requirements;
  3. Received full approval from their advisory committee on the dissertation prospectus;
  4. Satisfied the Graduate School’s residence requirement (30 consecutive hours of graduate coursework at UGA);
  5. Maintained a cumulative GPA of at least 3.5 on all graduate coursework (note: no course with a grade below C may be included on the Program of Study);
  6. Filed and received approval of a final Program of Study by the Graduate School;
  7. Confirmed the membership of their advisory committee, including any changes since the oral examination.
Filing for Candidacy
  • After the successful defense and approval of the dissertation prospectus, the student must submit the official Application for Admission to Candidacy for Doctoral Degrees to the Graduate School.
  • Students must consult with the Graduate Program Administrator to ensure proper completion of all steps and timely submission of documents.
  • The application must be submitted at least one full semester prior to the expected graduation term. For students planning to graduate in the same semester they are admitted to candidacy, the application must be submitted by the Graduate School’s posted deadline for candidacy that term.
  • The Graduate School will not recognize a student as a doctoral candidate until all required documentation is approved.
Candidacy and Fellowship Requirements
  • Students who hold university fellowships (e.g., the Graduate School Research Assistantship or Presidential Fellowship) that require them to reach candidacy by the end of their third year may submit the candidacy form immediately after passing comprehensive exams, pending written approval from their major professor and the Director of Graduate Studies.