Interdisciplinary Doctorate

Students wishing to study in the interdisciplinary doctoral degree program
must apply and be accepted into a doctorate-granting department. The following requirements for admission to the interdisciplinary doctorate
degree program have been established:

1. A master's degree or equivalent program of study that includes at least
30 credit hours of graduate course work with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0.

2. Twelve credit hours of graduate course work completed at New Mexico
State University.

3. Evidence of outstanding academic achievement in graduate school.

4. A written description of the program concept prepared by the student
consisting of (a) areas in which competency is required; (b) proposed readings
and course work and how these relate to required competencies; (c) objectives
and an outline for thesis research; (d) justification for not using an existing
departmental degree program.

5. The student must select an adviser from his or her department to chair
the committee and, in consultation with the adviser, structure a committee consisting of at least five faculty members from the graduate faculty list who are willing to work on the interdisciplinary degree program The committee must include at least two members from each of two doctorate-granting departments. The committee chair will convene a meeting to review and approve the proposed program.

6. The Graduate School will send an “Admission Referral” document,
signed by all committee members, to the heads of all departments from which
the student proposes to use more than eight credits of course work, or from which faculty are requested to serve on the proposed committee.

7. Once the “Admission Referral” document has been approved by all
departments, the committee chair will convene a meeting of the committee to
review the student's program and make changes as necessary. In addition, the
committee will set the format and date for the qualifying exam. An effort should be made to incorporate the interdisciplinary nature of the program into the qualifying exam.

8. When the student has passed the qualifying exam and the “Admission
Referral” memorandum has been approved by the respective department heads, the requirements for admission to the program are satisfied. Formal acceptance into a doctoral program may be required in order to receive financial assistance.

9. The dissertation work shall total at least 18 credits of a 700-level course.
  

Requirements for the Doctoral Degrees