CS PHD Plan of Study

The Plan of Study (POS), sometimes referred to as the Program of Study, is an agreement between the student, the program, and the University listing requirements for completing the degree. All graduate students must have an approved Plan of Study (POS) developed by the student and advisor that lists the specific courses to be taken as part of the degree. Students must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 in their POS, as well as in all coursework taken since entering the program.

No course can be on a plan of study with a grade below 2.0. At most two courses can have a grade below 3.0. No coursework can appear on a POS that is more than 7 years old at the time of graduation.

The initial POS must be filed prior to the completion of 9 credit hours after admission to the program. This is mandatory! The College of Graduate Studies automatically places a “hold” on future registration for non compliance. The POS can, and usually will, be revised later to reflect changes in the courses actually taken, but it is crucial that a POS be on file, signed by the student and faculty advisor, and approved by the Graduate Program Coordinator. Any variation from the current POS must be approved by the advisor and Graduate Program Coordinator and then immediately reflected in an updated POS.

The POS is flexible and unique to each student. However, it must meet university, college, and department rules for minimum number of hours, etc. (see Program Requirements, above). The final POS must be completed, submitted, and approved before the student will be allowed to register for dissertation hours (CXX 7980).