Rice University is a private and independent university found in 1912 located in Houston, Texas. In current times, university offers undergraduate, post-graduate and doctorate degrees for national and international candidates. Most importantly, with over 1200 doctoral students, it is noted as a very research-oriented university.
Rice places a strong emphasis on technical fields, and offers doctoral degrees in architecture, and in many fields of engineering. Students can earn a doctorate degree in chemical engineering, bioengineering, civil engineering, mechanical, and electrical engineering. Students can also pursue a doctorate in computer science, statistics, and math. In Arts and Sciences, Rice offers various doctorate degree programs in English, history, French, religion, chemistry, biology, and geology. In the social sciences, doctorate degree programs are offered in sociology, anthropology, political science and psychology.
Applicants should have at least a minimum GPA of 3.0, and 600 on the (paper-based) TOEFL for students whose first language is not English, and solid GRE scores, which vary by program. When applying, apart from an admission application form, all programs typically require letters of recommendation as well. Students must enroll for at least 90 semester hours, and expect to take 4 to 6 years to complete all degree requirements.
It is important to note that a successful PhD candidate will (apart from 90 semester hours of study) investigate an original research, which will later conclude in a shape of a final thesis. Thesis will be defended in a final oral examination. Residency requirement for all PhD (full-time) candidates is a four semesters study at Rice.
Rice Univeristy offers a wide range of financial aid for students in the doctorate degree programs. Rice offers numerous scholarships, research assistantships and loans to graduate students, which vary greatly between doctorate degree programs and the available funding for each doctorate program.