When the thesis is nearly complete the student will present a seminar to the entire department, although this is not considered to be an examination. The departmental seminar serves both to inform the department and to provide practice for the student. The dissertation is the capstone of the Ph.D. degree. It is expected to be an original piece of work of publishable quality. The research advisor and two additional faculty members constitute the student's thesis committee.
Students present their research in a department seminar prior to graduation.
Masters Degree Ph.D. students who do not already have a Masters degree in Statistics will normally have fulfilled the requirements for the degree at Stanford after four or five quarters in the Ph.D. program. It is also possible to obtain a Masters degree in a related department while pursuing the Ph.D. in Statistics, although this will usually mean doing substantial course work in the related department. Financial Support Students accepted to the Ph.D. program are offered financial support. All tuition expenses are paid and there is a fixed monthly stipend determined to be sufficient to pay living expenses. Financial support is continued for four years, departmental resources permitting, for students in good standing.