For UConn requirements, visit the Registrar’s Steps to a Successful Graduation Website and UConn Catalog.  

The major emphasis of the Ph.D. program is on dissertation research, with foundational knowledge provided by a flexible coursework plan that complements the student’s background, dissertation focus, and career objectives. Ph.D. students work with faculty mentors and committee members to design a plan of study using an individualized approach. Ph.D. students are required to successfully complete 15 hours of coursework (with an MS or 30 hours without an MS), including NRE 6000 and NRE 6500, along with an additional 15 hours of graduate research credits. (Students who began the program prior to August, 2023 may take NRE 5800 instead of NRE 6500.) Full-time students typically complete their Ph.D. degree work in three to five years and part-time students in five to seven years. 

UConn Requirements. For UConn requirements, visit the Registrar’s Steps to a Successful Graduation Website and UConn Catalog.  

Department Requirements. Students should discuss examination expectations of each member of the Advisory Committee a few months in advance of the General Examination and ask about the exam format and the topics to be covered.   

No fewer than five faculty members, including all members of the student’s Advisory Committee, must participate in the examination, and all members of the Advisory Committee must participate in any oral examination. Some members of the Advisory Committee may participate remotely via videoconference in the oral portion of the General Examination. The Examining Committee includes at least one faculty member representing each of the major areas addressed in the examination. All Examiners are invited to submit questions and to evaluate answers, but the final decision as to whether or not the student has passed the General Examination shall rest solely with the Advisory Committee.  

If the student does not pass any of the exams given by the Advisory Committee members, then the student may retake any failed portions of the exams. The number of times this exam can be retaken is decided by the Advisory Committee members, although twice is the common limit.   

The General Examination consists of written and oral portions of the exam, which cannot be the same as the dissertation or portions thereof:  

Written Portion. Coordinated by the Major Advisor. Advisory Committee members prepare and grade their own questions. They each also specify the time allowed to answer their questions and allowed materials (e.g., 2-hour limit, closed book, closed internet, SAS software allowed).  

Oral Portion. Should be comprehensive in scope. A minimum of 2-hours should be scheduled, though there is no time limit. The oral exam or field exam is given by the Examining Committee members. If desired, the student’s Advisory Committee can request that this oral exam be combined with the written exam noted above, i.e., the oral exam can be a follow-up to the written exam described above and is often used for clarification of marginally written answers, rather than having any student fail outright.  

For UConn dissertation information and requirements, visit the Registrar’s Steps to a Successful Graduation Website and the UConn Catalog.  

Department Requirements.   

Students are expected to publish their research findings. Publications will improve your chances to find a job and enhance the reputation of our department. Publishing is important for the broader dissemination of your work, as many people will read publications in professional journals. It is recommended to organize your Dissertation accordingly to allow for easy formatting of the chapters into manuscripts. Conversely, if manuscripts are already published, they become your chapters. Discuss the Dissertation structure with your Major Advisor at the beginning of your graduate study.  

Teaching Requirement. Teaching experience is not required by the department. However, for those students who are interested in careers in academia, opportunities exist to gain teaching experience by working as a teaching assistant or helping various faculty with extension projects.  

Foreign Language Requirement. The PhD in Natural Resources does not have a related area or foreign language requirement.  

Timeline  

Year 1  

• Start research project  

• Enroll in coursework  

• Choose Advisory Committee members  

Year 2  

• Continue research project  

• Enroll in NRE XXXX 

• Complete coursework  

Year 3  

• Submit Plan of Study to the Graduate School  

• Pass Ph.D. General Examination  

• Complete the departmental review of the Dissertation Proposal  

Preparing to Graduate  

• Doctoral degrees steps to a successful graduation