Doctoral Student Life Cycle

Owned by Ruby Gutierrez
Nov 01, 2021
2 min read

Before
Advancing

Years 1-3

(time-to-degree varies
by department)

Advancing to Candidacy

Years 2-4

(expected time to advance
varies by department)

Completion of
Degree

Years 4-6

(time-to-degree varies
by department)

  • Understand requirements. In order to successfully navigate the completion of the program requirements, a student should be familiarized with what’s expected for them to complete.

  • During the pre-advancement years, doctoral students should nominate their doctoral committee. This should be done prior to scheduling a qualifying exam.

  • Prior to scheduling a student’s qualifying exam, the committee should meet with the student to assess the readiness of the student to take their exams.

  • The student will coordinate their written and sometimes oral exam with the committee.

  • If written and oral qualifying exams are passed, they may advance to candidacy.

  • In the scenario when a faculty recommends a re-write of a an exam, the committee member can grant an extended time to complete and resubmit the work. Upon satisfactory completion, the student is passed.

  • However, if a student does fails to complete the entire exam to a satisfactory level, then their ‘no-pass’ should be reported to the Graduate Division.

  1. This stage of the life cycle is dedicated to completing research and writing dissertation.

  2. After completion of their dissertation, student are sometimes required to publicly present their work. The requirement for a public defense varies by department.

  3. Prior to the student filing their dissertation, a student’s committee must electronically sign two items (1)Form III and when ready, the (2) Electronic signature page.

  4. The student/department is expected to submit these items by the deadline in order for the student to successfully file their dissertation:
    (1) Electronic dissertation uploaded to ProQuest
    (2) Electronic signature page routed through DocuSign
    (3) Completed Form III

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