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Interdisciplinary PhD

Customize your PhD

This interdisciplinary PhD (INPR) program provides students and faculty with opportunities for creative customized academic programming and research that crosses the boundaries of traditional disciplines.

Each student's program is reviewed by the Graduate School and is subject to approval by the University Board of Graduate Studies, which acts as the governing department.

Any INPR program must combine course work and expertise from two or more academic departments at Marquette. Faculty may serve on an INPR committee regardless of whether their departments offer doctoral degrees.

INPR degree requirements

12-credits of coursework to inform the development of a Degree Proposal and Plan
Remaining coursework following approval of the Degree Proposal and Plan
Doctoral Qualifying Exams
Dissertation and Defense

Process for application, degree proposal and plan

Pre-application
Application Requirements
Proposal & Plan
Program Requirements

Review the Interdisciplinary PhD Requirements detailed below.
Submit the INPR Program Exploration Form to the Assistant Dean of the Graduate School.
Set an appointment with the Assistant Dean of the Graduate School to discuss the INPR Program Exploration Form and the program requirements.
Complete steps identified in meeting with Assistant Dean of the Graduate School to prepare for meeting with Associate Dean of the Graduate School.

Set appointment with the Associate Dean of the Graduate School to discuss individual program structure and potential faculty contacts.
Meet with faculty with expertise in areas related to proposed area of study and identify a provisional dissertation director
Work with provisional chair (and other faculty, as appropriate) to develop an INPR Statement of Purpose and Concept.

A completed application form and fee online.
Transcripts:
- If coursework was completed within the United States, submit copies of all current and previous college/universities except Marquette¹
- If coursework was completed outside of the United States, a transcript evaluation is required. A copy of a course-by-course evaluation is approved for the application process.²
Three letters of recommendation.
Proof of an earned Master's degree.
The results of a current (within five years) standardized test (GRE, GMAT, LSAT, MCAT, etc., as appropriate) if the applicant has a cumulative GPA less than 3.500 on a 4.000 scale. Applications for admission are reviewed holistically.

For international applicants only: TOEFL score or other acceptable proof of English proficiency (waived if the student’s undergraduate or prior graduate academic work was done at an English-speaking college or university).
Submit Statement of Purpose and Concept to the Carl Wainscott of the Graduate School for University Board of Graduate Studies (UBGS) on the following dates below.
Statement of Purpose and Concept Due Dates
- August 23, 2023 (for review at the September 2023 UBGS meeting)
- September 20, 2023 (for review at the October 2023 UBGS meeting)
- October 18, 2023 (for review at the November 2023 UBGS meeting)
- November 20, 2023 (for review at the December 2023 UBGS meeting)
- January 3, 2024 (for review at the January 2024 UBGS meeting)
- January 17, 2024 (for review at the February 2024 UBGS meeting)
- February 14, 2024 (for review at the March 2024 UBGS meeting)
- March 20, 2024 (for review at the April 2024 UBGS meeting)
- April 17, 2024 (for review at the May 2024 UBGS meeting)

A maximum of twelve, committee-approved ‘B’-or-better credits may be taken prior to submitting the Degree Proposal and Plan.

The University Board of Graduate Studies (UBGS) reviews applications and is responsible for admission decisions. The Associate Dean of the Graduate School will notify applicants of the admission decision no later than one week after the UBGS meeting at which the prospective student’s application is reviewed.

^{1Upon admission, final official transcripts from all previously attended colleges/universities, with certified English translations if original language is not English, must be submitted to the Graduate School within the first five weeks of the term of admission or a hold preventing registration for future terms will be placed on the student’s record.}

^{2Upon admission, an official course-by-course transcript/academic record evaluation must be submitted to the Graduate School within the first five weeks of the term of admission or a hold preventing registration for future terms will be placed on the student’s record.}

A maximum of twelve, committee-approved ‘B’-or-better credits may be taken prior to submitting the Degree Proposal and Plan.

In developing and submitting the degree proposal and plan:

Complete no more than 12 credits of course work
Confirm chair and committee members
Work with chair and committee members to develop degree proposal and plan
Submit the INPR degree proposal and plan to the Assistant Dean of the Graduate School for UBGS review by the following dates below.
Degree Proposal and Plan Due Dates
- August 23, 2023 (for review at the September 2023 UBGS meeting)
- September 20, 2023 (for review at the October 2023 UBGS meeting)
- October 18, 2023 (for review at the November 2023 UBGS meeting)
- November 20, 2023 (for review at the December 2023 UBGS meeting)
- January 3, 2024 (for review at the January 2024 UBGS meeting)
- January 17, 2024 (for review at the February 2024 UBGS meeting)
- February 14, 2024 (for review at the March 2024 UBGS meeting)
- March 20, 2024 (for review at the April 2024 UBGS meeting)
- April 17, 2024 (for review at the May 2024 UBGS meeting)
The chair attends UBGS meeting to present student’s Degree Proposal and Plan

The University Board of Graduate Studies (UBGS) reviews Degree Proposal and Plan submissions and is responsible for approving the student’s advancement in the program. The Associate Dean of the Graduate School will notify applicants of the advancement decision no later than one week after the UBGS meeting at which the prospective student’s application is reviewed.

Following the approval of the Degree Proposal and Plan, completing the degree involves fulfilling the requirements as specified in the approved Degree Proposal and Plan in adherence with Graduate School Policy, as specified in the Academic Performance section and other portions of the Graduate Bulletin, and observing deadlines detailed in the Graduate Academic Calendar, including the:

remaining coursework
qualifying exam as specified in the Degree Proposal and Plan
dissertation and following the Dissertation Directives
dissertation defense

INPR Outcomes

Upon completion of the INPR PhD program, students will be able to:

Identify interdisciplinary problems and the ways in which they require multidisciplinary perspectives, envision those problems from multidisciplinary perspectives and critique the contributions and limitations of multiple disciplines in addressing those problems.
Evaluate and employ methods from more than one discipline in order to conduct and defend an independent, interdisciplinary research project that makes an original contribution to knowledge.
Appropriately envision, pursue, and engage professional opportunities within the community of scholars/practitioners.

Financial Aid

Please note that students in the INPR program rarely receive merit-based aid, and most students will fund their program through loans and/or their own resources. Private scholarships may be available. U.S. citizens and permanent residents may be eligible to apply for need-based federal aid (loans) to help fund their educational expenses.

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