The Truman School does allow students to enter the doctoral program as part-time students if necessary.
Course Load
We recommend that students take a minimum of three courses (9 credit hours) each year so that the qualification exam can be completed no later than the end of the second year in the program.
Required doctoral classes within the Truman School will usually be offered first thing in the morning or at the end of the day. However, in order to complete your full course requirements in your individual plan of study, you will need to take coursework in other departments.
Keep in mind that the Truman School has no control over when courses in other academic units are offered, and it’s unusual for online classes to be offered at the doctoral level.
Program Timeline
A typical student completes a doctoral degree in five years. The maximum amount of time to doctoral degree completion in the Truman School is set at the campus level and is eight years. After this point, additional coursework, or a waiver from the Office of Graduate Studies, is required.
Practically, students must register for 9 credit hours per year reach the 72 credit hour requirement within eight years (or two courses in one term and one course in the other).
Students can switch to full time after starting the program, and the eight-year deadline would still apply.
Financial Assistance
We do not provide financial assistance to part-time students. However, teaching or research opportunities may be available.
Additionally, part-time students are eligible for travel awards and dissertation funds as described above.