Student Resources


SOEHS Graduate Admissions Procedures

The School of Education and Human Sciences Ph.D. program requires a minimum of 36 credit hours in the major and 12 hours of research. The program does not accept transfer credits, though approved post-master's coursework from other institutions may count toward the 36-hour requirement by waiving specific courses.

To earn a Ph.D. from SOEHS, students must:

  • Complete a minimum of 18 credit hours at the University of Kansas
  • Pass their comprehensive exams at KU
  • Complete their dissertation at KU

SOEHS policy requires graduate students to be enrolled during the semester they complete any required graduate milestone exam, including summer semesters.

The university requires the following milestone exams based on degree level:

  • Master's Final Exam/Thesis Defense (master's students; not required for coursework-only master's programs)
  • Oral Comprehensive Exam (doctoral students)
  • Proposal (doctoral students)
  • Final Ph.D./Ed.D. Exam/Dissertation Defense (doctoral students)