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Doctorate of Philosophy

The Doctorate of Philosophy (PhD) program prepares students for leadership roles in academia, industry, and at research institutions specializing in Aeronautics & Astronautics. Students can pursue a PhD in one of two ways: the direct-to-PhD program and post-master’s admission to the program. 

Direct to PhD

Students with a bachelors’ degrees in aerospace or mechanical engineering or related fields may choose to enter the PhD program on the Direct Path to PhD. Completion of the MSAA course curriculum is required (five courses in a depth area, courses in two different breadth areas, and three analytical courses) while students commence research with a faculty advisor; however, no MS thesis is required, and once the course work is satisfied (and students meet the criteria stated below), they may take the PhD Qualifying Exam. Upon passing the Qualifying Exam, they would then complete three additional courses (as recommended by their research advisor), continue their research and proceed with PhD guidelines and requirements of the department and the UW Graduate School. Direct to PhD students may register for research/dissertation credits (AA800) with their faculty advisor at the start of their programs.

Post-Master’s Students

Admission directly into the PhD program requires a Master's Degree, preferably in aerospace or mechanical engineering.  PhD applicants must demonstrate strong scholastic ability, potential to perform and complete independent research, and the ability to contribute creatively to advanced developments in engineering. PhD applicants must identify someone on the faculty who agrees to serve as their research advisor prior to applying to the program.

Steps to the PhD

Students pursuing a doctoral degree in the Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics are responsible for knowing the Graduate School and departmental requirements in full.  Below is a summary of the doctoral degree process.  Please see the Graduate Handbook for detailed information.

• Take the Departmental Qualifying Exam

The purpose of the Qualifying Exam is to evaluate the student's overall scholastic preparation for doctoral studies.   The exam consists of a written report based on several questions from an established exam committee, an oral presentation that is open to all faculty, and responses to questions from the committee and other faculty members.  Upon passing the Qualifying Exam, the student becomes eligible to pursue a PhD in the department.  

• Establish a Supervisory Committee

The Supervisory Committee supervises the student's progress through the PhD program.  A committee consists of five members: the Chairperson and two additional members in the student's area of study, one member from an area of breadth, and the fifth member of the committee must be a Graduate School Representative (GSR) who is not affiliated with the A&A department.

The student's committee should be established no later than one year after completing the Qualifying Exam, and should be in place at least four months prior to scheduling the General Examination.  Once the members have agreed to serve on the Committee, the student must provide the list to the Manager of Graduate Programs, who will have them officially appointed through the Graduate School.

• Take the General Exam

The General Examination is an oral exam of about two hours' duration. It begins with a presentation by the student on the anticipated area of his or her research, and is followed by questions from the Committee members. The purpose of this exam is to test the student’s background and ability to perform independent study and research in some chosen area of specialization. It is not a presentation of completed research, and the student’s final area of research may indeed change.

The exam should be scheduled within 12-18 months after passing the Qualifying Exam and after having completed a minimum of 60 credits at the 500 or approved 400-level or above (18 of these credits must be numerically graded).  Upon passing this exam, the student is given the official rank of “Candidate.” If the student does not pass, at the discretion of the Committee, he or she will either be allowed to retake the exam or will be dropped from the PhD program.

• Complete PhD Coursework

The Department requires at least 18 graded credits of course work. A PhD Program Plan form with a listing of the courses to be taken must be approved by the student’s supervisor and placed in his or her file. The Graduate School requires that a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 is maintained by a graduate student.

• Prepare the Dissertation

The dissertation requires a substantial effort, and must demonstrate original and independent research and achievement. Students should consult the Graduate School Format Guidelines for Theses and Dissertations for instructions on appropriate format.

• Select a Reading Committee

As a student nears completion of his or her dissertation, s/he must select a committee to read the dissertation. The Reading Committee should include three (sometimes four) members from the Supervisory Committee. He or she will give their names to the Manager of Graduate Programs and they will be officially appointed through the Graduate School.  The Reading Committee must be given at least two weeks to read the dissertation prior to scheduling the Final Exam.

• Take the Final Exam

The Final Examination is a presentation and defense of the dissertation. When the student has determined that all members (including the GSR) can attend the selected exam date and time, they must submit a request for the Final Exam through the Graduate School. Full or part-time registration is required for the quarter when the Final Examination is taken and the degree is awarded.  The dissertation (along with the receipt for binding and microfilming fees) must be submitted to the Graduate School by the last day of the quarter in which the student expects to complete the degree.

Degree Requirements

Doctoral students are required to earn 90 credits.  A master's degree from the UW or another institution may be used as a substitute for 30 of these credits; however, 60 credits must be earned at the University of Washington. A minimum of 18 credits must be numerically graded, and completed at the UW from course work at the 500 (and approved 400) level and above. Sixty credits, including the 18 graded credits and at least 18 credits at the 500 level, must be completed prior to scheduling the General Exam.  In addition, a minimum of 27 dissertation credits (AA800) taken over a period of at least three quarters must be completed prior to graduation.  Graduate students must maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0.

All work toward the doctoral degree, including applicable work from the Master’s degree and time on leave or out of status, must be completed within 10 years.

Requests for exceptions to Department procedures will be determined on a case-by-case basis by the Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics Graduate Committee.  Requests for exceptions to University of Washington policies must be petitioned to the Dean of the Graduate School.

 

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