It should be understood that these are minimum requirements, and students must usually count on spending a somewhat longer time in residence. A student whose undergraduate work has been insufficient in amount or too narrowly specialized, or whose preparation in his or her special field is inadequate, must count upon spending increased time in work for the degree. However, no student will be allowed to continue work toward the doctor's degree for more than five academic years of graduate residence, without approval of a petition by the Dean of Graduate Studies. This petition must include a plan and schedule for completion, agreed upon and signed by the student, the research adviser, and the Option Representative. Continuity of registration must be maintained until all requirements for the doctor's degree have been completed, with the exception of summer terms and authorized sabbaticals.
Registration is required for the quarter in which the thesis defense is undertaken.
Admission to Candidacy. Option regulations concerning admission to candidacy are given in a later section. Members of the Institute staff of rank higher than that of assistant professor are not admitted to candidacy for a higher degree. The required competency in English can be demonstrated in several ways. A record of the test scores will be maintained in the Graduate Office and provided to the Option Representative as required for attesting to preparation for candidacy.