Graduate Program Timeline

Selection of Advisor
Graduate Regulations (I.E.1.): "Any student working toward a graduate degree is expected to make an early choice of a Major Area (Division) and a Research Advisor which must be completed by the end of the first semester in the program. Click here to download the Research Advisor Selection Form.

Selection of Advisory Committee
Graduate Regulations (III.C.1.): "Shortly after the student has formulated a dissertation research project, the Research Advisor, in consultation with the student, recommends members of the Advisory Committee to the Chair.  The actual appointment of the committee is made by the Chair in consultation with the Graduate Committee."  According to the Graduate Regulations (III.H.3.), this should be completed by the end of the second semester.
Click here to download the Advisory Committee Selection Form.

Completion of Coursework
According to the Graduate Regulations (III.H.4.), students should complete all required coursework by the end of their fourth semester.

Written Candidacy
According to the Graduate Regulations (III.H.5.), students should take the Written Candidacy Examination prior to the start of their fifth semester.
Click here to download the Written Candidacy Exam Form.

Oral Candidacy
According to the Graduate Regulations (III.D.2.A.), students should take the Oral Candidacy Examination no later than three months after notification of passing the Written Candidacy Examination.
Click here to download the departmental oral candidacy form.
Click here to download the college oral candidacy form.

Dissertation Prospectus & Notification of Approved Dissertation Topic
Graduate Regulations (III.H.): "The student is required to submit an abbreviated Dissertation Prospectus to each member of their Advisory Committee after the oral candidacy examination but not less than one year before the final defense of the dissertation. Click here to download the Notification of Approved Dissertation Topic Form
Click here for information on the style requirements for the Dissertation Prospectus

Graduation
Students should apply for graduation (via FlashLine) by the end of the first week of their final semester.

Dissertation Defense
Request for Graduate Faculty Representative (A&S "Process for Oral Defense, Requirements & Deadlines): "45 days (6 weeks) before the tentative oral defense date, a Graduate Faculty Representative must be requested through the College of Arts & Sciences...The Graduate Faculty Representation should be a faculty member from a discipline outside the program."  Graduate advisors may request the Graduate Faculty Representative by clicking here.
Distribution of Dissertation (A&S "Process for Oral Defense, Requirements & Deadlines"): "30 days before the oral defense date the circulation of the dissertation will begin.  The Dissertation Committee (including the Graduate Faculty Representative) will receive the dissertation for a minimum 10 day reading period."  After the 10-day reading period, the dissertation committee can convene (without the candidate) for preliminary evaluation.
Defense Announcement (A&S "Process for Oral Defense, Requirements & Deadlines"): "10 days before the oral defense date, furnish each member of the Examining Committee with a copy of the dissertation and allow at least ten days after distribution before the final defense date...Make the time and place of the defense known to the Program Committee and all concerned and interested parties."  Click here to download the Notification of Dissertation Defense form.
Defense Form: Click here to download the Report of Final Examination form.
Defense Guidelines: Click here to download the final examination guidelines.
Style Guide: Click here for the style guide for typing dissertations and theses.

Post-Defense Requirements
Electronic Filing of Dissertation: Once all necessary connections have been made to a thesis/dissertation, electronic filing can begin.  Click here for information on how to electronically submit theses/dissertations.
Required Forms: The electronic filing of the dissertation must be accompanied by two printed copies of the signature sheet (with signatures from the committee and chair), as well as the Dissertation Preparation Approval Form.  Click here to download the Dissertation Preparation Approval Form.

Selection of Advisor
Graduate Regulations (I.E.1.): "Any student working toward a graduate degree is expected to make an early choice of a Major Area (Division) and a Research Advisor which must be completed by the end of the first semester in the program. Click here to download the Research Advisor Selection Form.

Selection of Advisory Committee
Graduate Regulations (III.B.1.): "Shortly after the student has formulated a thesis research project, the Research Advisor, in consultation with the student, recommends members of the Advisory Committee to the Chair.  The appointment of the committee is made by the Chair in consultation with the Graduate Committee."  According to the Graduate Regulations (III.H.3.), this should be completed by the end of the second semester.
Click here to download the Advisory Committee Selection Form.

Completion of Coursework
According to the Graduate Regulations (II.E.4.), students should complete all required coursework by the end of the second calendar year.

Notification of Approved Thesis Topic
This form should be filed no later than the semester preceding that in which the candidate expects to receive a master's degree.
Click here to download the Notification of Approved Thesis Topic Form.

Thesis Defense
Click here to download the Report of Final Examination (thesis) form.
Click here to download the thesis final examination guidelines.
Click here for the style guide for typing theses and dissertations.

Post-Defense Requirements
Electronic Filing of Thesis: Once all necessary connections have been made to a thesis/dissertation, electronic filing can begin.  Click here for information on how to electronically submit theses/dissertations.
Required Forms: The electronic filing of the dissertation must be accompanied by two printed copies of the signature sheet (with signatures from the committee and chair).