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Program checklist · Doctor of Philosophy

Computer Science, Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

Virginia Commonwealth University · Richmond, VA

A checklist is the list of requirements to complete this program and receive the award, as the college publishes it in its catalog. It is the same for everyone. It does not say what you have completed; that comes from applying your own record.

Program
Award
Doctor of Philosophy
Credential class
ceterms:DoctoralDegree
CIP
11.0101
Total credits (published)
54
Credits (computed from items)
126
Catalog edition
2026-2027
Checklist type
degree-program
Identifiers
IPEDS UNITID
234030
CourseShelf checklist
CK_234030_d5533ab0
CollegeTransfer.Net
Institution Transfer Profile
Source
CourseShelf publish 59

Requirements to complete

Every course or condition the catalog lists, in the catalog's order.

B.S. to Ph.D. curriculum for students entering with a baccalaureate degree

0 items

    Computer science core

    major core · 3 items
    1. CMSC 501
      3
    2. CMSC 603
      3
    3. CMSC 702
      Computer Science Seminar
      As published: “Computer Science Seminar (one-credit course repeated for four semesters)”
      4

    Seminar course

    1 item
    1. CMSC 702
      Computer Science Seminar
      As published: “Computer Science Seminar (one-credit course repeated for two additional credits)”
      2

    Electives

    electives · 23 items
    1. Students will work with their research adviser to select the elective courses appropriate for their research focus area. Elective courses will be selected from graduate-level courses including:
      Not resolved to a course
      18
    2. CMSC 502
      3
    3. CMSC 506
      3
    4. CMSC 510
      3
    5. CMSC 512
      3
    6. CMSC 516
      3
    7. CMSC 525
      3
    8. CMSC 531
      3
    9. CMSC 601
      3
    10. CMSC 605
      3
    11. CMSC 608
      3
    12. CMSC 610
      3
    13. CMSC 612
      3
    14. CMSC 615
      3
    15. CMSC 618
      3
    16. CMSC 620
      3
    17. CMSC 622
      3
    18. CMSC 623
      3
    19. CMSC 628
      3
    20. CMSC 630
      3
    21. CMSC 635
      3
    22. CMSC 636
      3
    23. CMSC 678
      3

    Dissertation research requirement

    2 items
    1. Complete a minimum of 42 hours of combined dissertation course work.
      Not resolved to a course
      42
    2. CMSC 697
      1-15

    M.S. to Ph.D. curriculum for students entering with a master’s degree

    0 items

      Core courses

      major core · 3 items
      1. CMSC 501
        3
      2. CMSC 603
        3
      3. CMSC 702
        Computer Science Seminar
        As published: “Computer Science Seminar (one-credit course repeated for four semesters)”
        4

      Electives

      electives · 23 items
      1. Students will work with their research adviser to select the elective courses appropriate for their research focus area. Elective courses will be selected from graduate-level courses including:
        Not resolved to a course
        6
      2. CMSC 502
        3
      3. CMSC 506
        3
      4. CMSC 510
        3
      5. CMSC 512
        3
      6. CMSC 516
        3
      7. CMSC 525
        3
      8. CMSC 531
        3
      9. CMSC 601
        3
      10. CMSC 605
        3
      11. CMSC 608
        3
      12. CMSC 610
        3
      13. CMSC 612
        3
      14. CMSC 615
        3
      15. CMSC 618
        3
      16. CMSC 620
        3
      17. CMSC 622
        3
      18. CMSC 623
        3
      19. CMSC 628
        3
      20. CMSC 630
        3
      21. CMSC 635
        3
      22. CMSC 636
        3
      23. CMSC 678
        3

      Directed research requirement

      2 items
      1. Complete a minimum of 38 hours of combined dissertation course work.
        Not resolved to a course
        38
      2. CMSC 697
        1-15
      Source. Virginia Commonwealth University, catalog 2026-2027 — https://bulletin.vcu.edu/graduate/school-engineering/computer-science/computer-science-phd/. Captured page pages/0167.html.gz. Assembled from the institution's published catalog as captured; every record names its captured page and source URL. Assembled, not asserted.