Steps to the PhD

First Year

• Orientation 
  

-Guidance  

-Register for courses 

• Fall Semester  
  

-Courses – grad and equivalents to guidance exam 

-Explore divisions and groups 

-Select research advisor and 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

• Research    
  
• Annual research report

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