Overview

The PhD Program involves several steps along your way to graduation. We think of these steps in stages. Each stage involves a few steps before you can move on to the next stage.

Timeline of Major Milestones

You can use the timelines below as a general guide to your PhD program. Everyone's situation will be different, but this was created to help you begin your planning. Please note that summer semesters do not count in progress/limits.

Check out your personal timeline by using the GradPLAN Individual Development Plan.

Limits of Major Milestones

Milestone	Stage	Limits with approved BA/BS	Limits with approved MS/MA
Complete MS Equivalent Coursework if applicable (32 credit hours)	I	2 years	Not applicable
Submit an Advisor Agreement	II	End of 2nd semester with approved petition	End of 2nd semester with approved petition
Qualifying exam – both written and oral	II	During 6th semester with approved petition	During 4th semester with approved petition
Complete PhD Coursework – including Breadth Requirement (32 credit hours)	II	4.5 years	3 years
Preliminary Exam	II	5 years	4 years
Complete 599 thesis research credit (minimum 32 credit hours)	III	7 years	6 years
Final Exam (Oral Defense)	III	7 years	6 years
Thesis Deposit	III	7 years	6 years

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