Recommended PhD Career Timeline

Year One - Fall

• Enroll in Graduate Assistant Health Benefit Plan before September 15

• Meet with advisor to discuss coursework plan for first two years (IDP recommended for planning)

• Register for 9-12 classroom credits, using the PhD Program Requirements guide

• Use the rest of 14-credit band to register for PA 8888 thesis credits

Year Two - Fall

• Register for 9-12 classroom credits, using the PhD Program Requirements guide

• Use the rest of 14-credit band to register for PA 8888 thesis credits

• Begin filling out your GDP form, using the instructions here

  • Meet with advisor to discuss GDP, including coursework in upcoming terms (IDP recommended for planning)

Year Three - Fall

• Register for 9-12 classroom credits, using the PhD Program Requirements guide; this will ideally be your final term of full registration

• Use the rest of 14-credit band to register for PA 8888 thesis credits

• Schedule and take your prelim written and oral exams; if you have come in without a masters, this may be delayed by 1-2 terms

  • Meet with advisor to discuss academic and RA progress (IDP recommended for planning)

Year Four - Fall

• • If you have completed all coursework, thesis credits, and your prelim oral exam, register for PA 8444 and file the FTE form associated with this registration; you'll need to turn one in to the program coordinator for every term of 8444 registration

  • Focus on dissertation data collection and writing

  • Discuss final exam/dissertation committee membership with your advisor

  • Assign final exam/dissertation committee at the link here

Note that Students are required to take the preliminary exams within six (6) months after completing course work for the degree or within three and one-half (3.5) years from initial matriculation, whichever comes first. The fall semester in Year 4 is the last semester a student can take prelims.

Year One - Spring

• Register for 9-12 classroom credits, using the PhD Program Requirements guide

• Use the rest of 14-credit band to register for PA 8888 thesis credits

  • Meet with advisor to discuss academic and RA progress (IDP recommended for planning)

  • In May, using the workflow link (which will show up in your email) to complete Doctoral Annual Progress Review.

Year Two - Spring

• Register for 9-12 classroom credits, using the PhD Program Requirements guide

• Use the rest of 14-credit band to register for PA 8888 thesis credits

  • Complete your GDP form, including coursework in any upcoming terms, and have advisor and DGS sign, then turn in to PhD Program Coordinator for college review (Find further instruction here)

  • Meet with advisor to discuss academic and RA progress; Begin discussing when and how Prelim exam will be taken (IDP recommended for planning)

  • In May, using the workflow link (which will show up in your email) to complete Doctoral Annual Progress Review.

Year Three - Spring

• • If you have completed all coursework, thesis credits, and your prelim oral exam, register for PA 8444 and file the FTE form associated with this registration; you'll need to turn one in to the PhD program coordinator for every term of 8444 registration

  • If you did an option A prelim exam, you should complete and defend your prospectus

  • Meet with advisor to discuss academic and RA progress (IDP recommended for planning)

  • In May, using the workflow link (which will show up in your email) to complete Doctoral Annual Progress Review.

Year Four - Spring

• • Register for PA 8444 and file the FTE form associated with this registration; you'll need to turn one in to the program coordinator for every term of 8444 registration

  • Schedule your final oral exam/dissertation defense with your committee; register that date with the grad school here

• Request Graduation Packet here, under "Graduation"; initiate the forms within (application for degree and reviewers report form; both are now electronic) at least two weeks before your final dissertation defense

• A link to initiate the Final Oral Exam/dissertation defense form will be emailed to you once the reviewers report form is completed. Your committee chair should complete this at the final defense.