The PhD in Computer Science requires coursework, qualifying and comprehensive examinations, and a doctoral dissertation that is first proposed and eventually defended. The general doctoral requirements of the University apply to this program.
The CS PhD section of the GMU Catalog is the official source for the degree requirements of the program. Please see the slides for the PhD Student Orientation presentation (Fall 2024) for an overview of the program's degree requirements.
Note that effective Fall 2018, the degree requirements for the program have changed. Please consult this document for a summary of the changes, and the requirements that must be satisfied by current PhD CS students who entered the program under a prior catalog year and who will choose to change their catalog year to 2018-19 in Fall 2018 or later.