Upon acceptance into the PhD program, each student plans an individualized program of study in consultation with the student's major adviser. A Plan of Study form will be completed and a committee, which will consist of both inter-departmental and outside member(s), will be selected. Required forms must be submitted to the Graduate College for approval, usually by the beginning of the second year of the student's residence at the University of Missouri. Specific programs will depend on the student's previous preparation, goals, and needs. Research methods should be taken as soon as possible so that students can prepare themselves for their dissertation research. The student must successfully complete oral and written exams as well as the research and writing of a dissertation. A minimum of 78 credit hours are required, but it is not uncommon for students to have 90 or more