Timeline 2025
Timeline for various stages in the graduate program.
What | When | Relevant people/committees | ||
Study Plan (first- and second-year students only) | Review with advisor during the first week of fall term; due Friday the first week of classes to department Graduate Coordinator | Advisor, CAS | ||
Inventory ("Shu" / assessment) Exam | October of first year | GSAS Milestone | ||
Identification of Research Advisor, brief summary of research project, and suggested list of AC members | December 15 of first year (G1) | Advisor,CAS | ||
First meeting of AC to present and discuss the Research Proposal draft; draft should be circulated to AC at least 1 week prior to the meeting | Before Spring Break of G1 | Research advisor, AC, CAS | ||
Submission of final Research Proposal | May 15 of G1 | AC, DGS, CAS | ||
Courses completed | End of Spring term G2 | GSAS Milestone | ||
| To be completed prior to the beginning of Fall term of G3; no later than May 15 of G3 (with additional required documentation; see above). | AC, DGS, CAS, GSAS Milestone | ||
Teaching | At least one course in G2; completed by end of G3. | GSAS Milestone | ||
Identify thesis advisor, submit thesis proposal, suggest revisions to AC composition (if needed). | Within 3 months of completion of research exam | Advisor, DGS, CAS | ||
TAC Meetings | Once per semester, with the first meeting the semester after the Research Exam (at the latest). | TAC, CAS | ||
PhD Dissertation | End of fifth or sixth year | Advisor, TAC, Department office | ||
Confirmation of Defense Committee | When thesis is about to be completed | CAS | ||
Public Lecture | Before thesis defense | Advisor, Department office | ||
Final Oral Exam (Thesis Defense) | After completion of thesis, usually same day as Public Lecture | Final Oral Exam Committee |