PhD | Program Requirements

Overview

On average, the program is completed in five to six years, depending on the student’s research and progress. First-year students have the opportunity to rotate in three different labs before selecting their advisor. 

The Computer Science Department also believes that teaching is an integral and important part of graduate-level education in Computer Science. In pursuing the PhD degree, students have clear and defined milestones that help guide them to the successful completion of their dissertation and oral defense. This includes a cumulative list of requirements to be completed in order for students to confer their PhD degree in Computer Science.

For any questions related to CS PhD milestone requirements, please email phdstudentservices@cs.stanford.edu. 

Form/s should be submitted as a PDF and emailed to phdstudentservices@cs.stanford.edu. Jay Subramanian, Director of Graduation Admissions and PhD Program, approves all forms on behalf of the Department chair. The CS PhD Student Services Team will collect her signature after you submit your form/s.

• CS300 Seminar      
• First-Year Research Rotation Program      
• Courses      
• Foundation & Breadth Requirements      
• Candidacy Requirement      
• Qualifying Examination      
• Teaching Requirements      
• Reading Committee      

• Thesis Proposal      

  Note: A student may go to TGR status after all the Ph.D. requirements above have been completed, and just their orals and dissertation submission remain, see Special Registration Statuses page.

• University Oral Examination      
• Dissertation