5.4 Ph.D. Degrees

(Approved May 5, 1995) (Amended January 25, 2012) (Amended January 28, 2026)

The Doctor of Philosophy degree is awarded as a result of meritorious and scholarly achievements in a particular field of study which has been approved by the Academic Council as within the purview of the Naval Postgraduate School. A candidate must exhibit faithful and scholarly application to all prescribed courses of study, achieve a high level of achievement, and establish an ability for investigation leading to original contributions to fundamental knowledge.

Any program leading to the Doctor of Philosophy degree requires the equivalent of at least three academic years of study beyond the baccalaureate level. For resident students, at least 50% of the student's coursework must be spent in residence at the Naval Postgraduate School.

For students enrolled in a Distance Learning (DL) Ph.D. program, the residency requirement will be determined by the respective academic unit, taking into account the unique needs of the program and its students.