Graduate assistants or graduate associates and students on appointment to any teaching or research position at The University of Arizona, can meet the minimum residence requirement by registering for 6 units of graduate credit in each of four semesters. A student must choose a major subject and either one or two supporting minor subjects. Although the minor subject or subjects will usually be taken outside the major department, minors within the major department may be permitted with the approval of the department. All requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, including work done for the master's degree, cannot exceed a period of 10 years. Work more than 10 years old is not accepted toward meeting degree requirements.
Many departments have foreign language requirements for the Ph.D. degree.
Doctoral students should ascertain from their major department what the foreign language requirements are, if any, for the degree they seek, and how the requirements may be satisfied. The examination is only waived at the discretion of the department if the candidate has completed a master's degree at The University of Arizona in the same field. The examination should be taken during the first semester of residence and preferably during the first two weeks of residence. Many departments also require a qualifying examination in the minor field, but this requirement may be waived at the option of the minor department. The major professor will act as the student's mentor and will be responsible for helping the student develop and complete a Plan of Study.