Degree Requirements

In all programs, students take courses in the first year of graduate school. After year one, coursework is required or elective, depending on the program. Also in year one, students begin research rotations in faculty members' laboratories. The rotations help the student define his/her thesis research and determine faculty he/she wants to work with in pursuing the PhD.

By the end of the second year, the student takes the Admission for Candidacy Exam (ACE)—a combined written and oral exam with content and format determined by the program of study, and administered by a faculty committee. Upon the successful completion of the ACE, a student is considered a PhD candidate.

The progress of the PhD candidate is closely guided by a major sponsor (thesis advisor) and a Special Committee. Each program has its own process for selection of the sponsor and the committee, with a focus on developing the student as an independent scholar and scientist.

The student selects a sponsor from among Graduate School faculty and typically conducts all or nearly all of his/her thesis research in the major sponsor's laboratory. The Special Committee, including the major sponsor, meets at least annually with the student to evaluate the student's progress toward the degree.

In year three and thereafter, the WCGS PhD candidate conducts laboratory work focused on his/her approved thesis project.

Typically in the sixth year, the student completes the final examination (the thesis "defense") and has met all requirements for the PhD. The committee approves the student's thesis, the student's defense of the thesis (in the final exam), and ultimately certifies that the student has met all requirements for the degree. 

Details of program requirements and procedures may be found directly within each program description, here. 

The Master of Science in Biomedical Imaging Program is designed to provide STEM bachelor’s degree recipients with a comprehensive introduction to the physics, mathematics, radiochemistry, and engineering principles and methods that underly each of the major imaging modalities currently in use in clinical radiology and pathology.  The Program is highly interdisciplinary and includes faculty members with expertise in physics, radiology, engineering, mathematics, radiochemistry, and pathology. To review all the degree requirements, click here.

This multidisciplinary training program is primarily for practicing healthcare professionals who hold medical degrees or are in professions or training programs focused on clinical research. The program provides fundamental clinical research skills to those pursuing long-term clinical investigative careers. To review all the degree requirements, click here.

The Master of Science Program in Clinical Epidemiology & Health Services Research program is designed for those who wish to plan, implement and analyze quantitative and qualitative research studies using appropriate research designs. To review all the degree requirements, click here.

The M.S. in Computational Biology (MS-CB) presents a unique, rigorous training program, equipping students with theoretical understanding and practical mastery of state-of-the-art applications of computational approaches in biology and medicine. To review all the degree requirements, click here.

The Executive MBA/MS in Healthcare Policy and Research is a dual degree program that prepares the next generation of healthcare delivery leaders for success in a rapidly changing environment.  To review all the degree requirements, click here.

The Weill Cornell Graduate School Master of Science in Health Sciences for Physician Assistants (MSHS PA) program is a twenty-six month course of study to educate students to become Physician Assistants. To review all the degree requirements, click here.

The Department of Population Health Sciences offers a range of educational programs to train the next generation of leading researchers and practitioners in the study of the most effective ways to organize, coordinate, manage, finance and deliver high quality care. 

To review the degree requirements for each program, click below:

• Biostatistics and Data Science
• Health Informatics
• Health Policy and Economics