# Requirements to Graduate

All students will need to meet the following degree requirements in order to successfully earn the PhD degree:

* Complete a minimum of 72 credits, with an average grade of B or better in all required core courses (i.e., Biostatistics and Core) and a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. 
* Submit and successfully defend a Thesis Proposal 
* Write an original dissertation that is accepted by the student’s Thesis Committee and is defended orally in front of a panel of experts.  
* Deposit Thesis on Proquest
* Submit all required forms including student checkout form 

**See** [**Standards for Maintaining Satisfactory Progress**](https://ismms-gs.gitbook.io/graduate-student-handbook/chapter-1-1/phd-in-biomedical-sciences-and-neuroscience/program-requirements/standards-for-maintaining-satisfactory-progress)