How to Take a Ph.D. Program in Geology

If you are interested in getting a Ph.D. in geology, there are some things that you should know. First, getting a Ph.D. is never easy. There are many requirements and many people you have to please along the way. Here are some guidelines and suggestions for earning your Ph.D.

Instructions

1. Apply for admission to a Ph.D. program in geology. Each graduate school will have different requirements for admission. These requirements will likely include letters of recommendation, transcripts, essays and GRE scores. Some Ph.D. programs will also require or recommend an interview as part of the admission process.

2. Complete any required coursework. The number of courses and course hours will vary depending on the graduate program. Make sure that you are aware of these requirements and any specific courses you're required to have.

3. Take your qualifying examination or examinations. You may be required to take a written exam, an oral exam or both. These exams cover a variety of geologic topics, focusing on your specialty of interest. Your advisor will tell you when these exams have to be taken and what the focus will be.

4. Select your dissertation committee. Your committee will consist of your advisor, other professors in the geology department and usually at least one professor from another university. Check with your advisor about how to select your committee and about how many members need to be included.

5. Choose your dissertation topic and write a dissertation or research proposal. Your dissertation topic will be chosen in conjunction with your advisor and your committee members. This dissertation proposal will have to be approved by your entire committee, the geology department graduate advisor and anyone else that your school deems appropriate. This process is often called an "Admission to Candidacy."

6. Complete your dissertation. Set deadlines for your research and writing in conjunction with your advisor and committee members. Keep everyone abreast of your progress and have regular meetings with your advisor and those on your committee. Submit drafts as necessary and rewrite as needed.

7. Have your dissertation proposal or defense. This is an oral presentation of your dissertation and your research. These presentations are often given to those in your department, your advisor, your committee members and the graduate department chair. In many cases, these presentations are also public meaning that anyone can attend. After the presentation, be prepared to answer questions from those in attendance, including your advisor and committee members.

8. Revise your thesis as needed. In many cases, after a dissertation presentation, your advisor and committee members will require some revision of your written thesis. Take care of these revisions and rewrites as soon as possible so your advisor and committee can approve your thesis.

Tips & Warnings

• While some universities will admit students into a Ph.D. program in geology right out of undergraduate school, this is rare. Most Ph.D. programs will require that you have a master's degree prior to being admitted to a Ph.D. program in geology.

• Most graduate schools will require a certain amount of teaching and/or research hours as part of a Ph.D. program in geology. Check with your academic advisor or graduate department chair for details on this requirement.

• Make sure that you are aware of all deadlines and requirements that you are responsible for. If these are not followed, you may not graduate on time.

• A Ph.D. is the abbreviation for a Doctor of Philosophy.