Skip to main content

Steps to the PhD

Graduate Handbook

First Year

grad

  • Orientation 
    • Guidance  
    • Register for courses 
  • Fall Semester  
    • Courses – grad and equivalents to guidance exam
    • Explore divisions and groups 
    • Select a research advisor and a division 
  • Spring semester 
    • Courses – grad and equivalents to guidance exam 
    • Select Research Committee, file  Plan of studies
    • Pass all guidance areas by end of semester 
  • Summer 
    • Begin intensive research efforts 

Second Year

  • Fall Semester 
    • Graduate courses 
    • Research 
    • Submit  Candidacy Research Report
  • Spring Semester 
    • Graduate courses 
    • Research 
    • Present Candidacy Research Report
  • Summer 
    • Research 

Third Year

Fourth and Following Years

  • Research  
  • Satisfy GPA and hours/distribution requirements 
  • Defend original research proposal 
    • Abstract to research committee for approval 
    • Write proposal and provide to committee 
    • Oral defense to division
  • Write dissertation or thesis 
    • Must meet ETD submission standards 
  • Successfully present and defend to committee 
  • Revise as needed and submit