Predissertation & Dissertation Credits

NURS 8888 - Dissertation Credits

After successfully completing the preliminary oral exam, all Ph.D. students are required to register for 24 semester thesis credits (listed under NURS 8888—Thesis Credits: Doctoral). The 24 credits must be taken over two or more terms. Students are advised to register for the number of credits that are equivalent to the amount of work they can/will accomplish within the given term.  To register for NURS 8888 credits students must develop a detailed work plan for the work to be completed during the term and review it with their advisor.  Once the plan is agreed upon, the student emails the plan to the Director of Graduate Studies to request a permission number for NURS 8888.


Students cannot enroll for thesis credits until the completion of the preliminary oral exam has been recorded in the Graduate School record system. Refer to the Special Registration Options section if coursework is completed, but not the preliminary written exam(s)s as pre-dissertation credits (NURS 8666) are likely the best option in this case. Students cannot register for dissertation credits (NURS 8888) until they have passed the preliminary oral exam.  Students who complete their preliminary oral exam prior to the last day of instruction for the term may request to convert their NURS 8666 credits to NURS 8888 registration. Consult with the GPC for guidance in converting the credits. 

Special Registration Options

Occasionally doctoral students may find themselves in a position where they have taken all the courses they need/can take, but they are not at the next milestone step to advance in the program (e.g., have not taken the oral preliminary exam, but have completed their coursework; have taken all required thesis credits but have not defended their dissertation). As previously mentioned, students are still required to register every fall and spring to maintain active student status in the Graduate School and PhD program regardless of this situation. 

To better meet the needs for students in this situation, the Graduate School has developed several special registration categories to help fill the registration gap until a student is back on track. These are not meant to be long-term place holders. While these course options will not apply towards a degree, they will maintain a student’s active status in the program. Below is a brief summary of three main options available to doctoral students depending on individual circumstances and needs. Full details on all the special registration categories below can be found on the OneStop Student Services website.

NURS 8666 - Predissertation Credits

NURS 8666 is a registration option for students who must be registered for a specific number of credits (usually to be in compliance with requirements of the University and/or external agencies such as employment as a graduate assistant, loan deferment, visa requirements, etc.), and for whom coursework registration  is not an option. Policies limit the number of credits of 8666 (Doctoral Pre-Thesis Credits) to six for which a doctoral student may register in any fall, spring or summer term. The Graduate School will also limit registrations of 8666 to two instances and 12 credits without departmental (SoN) permission. With SoN consent, students may register for 8666 up to four times, for a total accumulation of 24 credits in 8666 registration. Regular tuition rates apply.


To register for NURS 8666 credits students must develop a detailed work plan for the work to be completed during the term and review it with their advisor.  Once the plan is agreed upon, the student emails the plan to the Director of Graduate Studies to request a permission number for NURS 8666.

NURS 8444

The Office of the Registrar and the Graduate School have developed procedures which will permit eligible doctoral candidates to be certified as full-time students when registered for only one credit. This course is intended only for doctoral students who have completed all their program coursework and required thesis credits, but still are working full-time on the research or writing of their dissertation. The main impetus for this procedure is to certify as full-time for loan deferment purposes, teaching or research assistants who could be employed in the low-tuition-fringe job classes.  An application is required to take NURS 8444 every semester it is taken and must be completed before the registration period ends for the given semester. To apply for NURS 8444 registration: 

GRAD 999

You must contact the Director of Graduate Studies and PhD Program Coordinator before registering for GRAD 999.

GRAD 999 is a zero-credit, zero-tuition registration option intended for graduate students who have completed all coursework and (if applicable) thesis credit requirements, and who must maintain registration to meet the continuous enrollment requirement. 

While students can register for GRAD 999 to maintain their active student status, they cannot use GRAD 999 to meet any other requirements of the University or external agencies. Students who must maintain full-time status to, e.g., hold an assistantship, defer loans, and/or receive financial aid cannot use GRAD 999 to meet registration requirements. Please talk to the DGS before registering for GRAD 999.