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To obtain a doctoral degree, students must complete a minimum of 64 credit hours (including potential 599 courses) at the Urbana-Champaign campus. Once this residency requirement is satisfied, students can request Graduate College authorization for in absentia registration. For thesis-related credits during in absentia status, students must secure approval through their advisor and department head via a formal petition to the Graduate College. Typically, Ph.D. candidates devote no less than three years to on-campus study at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Enrollment is mandatory during the semester when defending one's thesis, which is an essential component for earning the Ph.D. degree. Theses generally incorporate either field and library research or laboratory and library research methodologies.
Doctoral candidates have the option to pursue their Ph.D. directly without first obtaining an M.A. degree. However, those choosing to earn an M.A. must fulfill all its requirements either before or concurrently with passing the Ph.D. preliminary examination.