Guidance is offered for reviewing current Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) programs and for establishing new ones. Typical academic and institutional contexts of Ph.D. programs in the United States and Canada and the standards and quality which lead to successful Ph.D. programs are presented. Part One addresses the nature and purpose of the doctoral program. Part Two outlines academic and institutional contexts of Ph.D. programs focusing specifically on organization and administration of doctoral programs, faculty responsibilities for graduate study, recruitment and retention of doctoral students, and the administrative and physical facilities required for doctoral programs. Guidelines for establishing new Ph.D. programs are also provided. Part Three provides detailed descriptions of the requirements that are commonly set for the Ph.D. degree by universities and their academic departments. Aspects such as admission to Ph.D. programs, requirements for residency and registration, financial aid, examinations, and requirements for the dissertation are addressed. (LPT)