Students admitted to the Ph.D. program in Biological Education may complete a thesis master's degree in Biology en route to completion of the doctoral degree. A request for a simultaneous master's degree in a discipline other than Biology will not be accepted. The student, in collaboration with the student’s advisor, will develop a dual plan of study that includes clearly distinct master's and doctoral requirements. The student will be required to meet all of the requirements of both the master's and the doctoral degrees. The student must graduate from the master's degree program a minimum of one semester prior to conferring of the doctoral degree. The maximum time allowed for completion of the doctorate is eight calendar years beginning with the students’ first semester of enrollment after admission has been granted.