2023-2024 Graduate Catalog

Checklist for Doctoral Degree

Procedure Approved by Date

Submit an application for admission. A prospective student should contact the major department or consult the department’s website and/or handbook for specific program requirements.

Dean of the Graduate School; Departmental doctoral program director

Check with appropriate program director.

Obtain approval from the department doctoral screening committee for admission.

Departmental doctoral screening committee, Dean of the Graduate School

After all application materials have been submitted.

Establish doctoral committee and submit approved plan of study.

Doctoral program director and committee, Dean of the Graduate School

Within one year of beginning course work.

Complete foreign language exam(s) (if required).

Departmental doctoral committee

By the time half of required program course work has been completed (first exam).

Complete comprehensive exams.

Departmental doctoral committee

Near completion of course work.

Submit dissertation proposal.

Departmental program committee, Dean of the Graduate School

By the end of the completion of the first six DISS 799 hours.

Apply for degree (graduation).

Dean of the Graduate School

No later than the end of the first four weeks of the last semester before graduation.

Complete final defense of the dissertation.

Doctoral program committee

At least six weeks before the end of the semester of term to be certified for graduation.

Submit final draft of dissertation.

Doctoral program committee, Dean of the Graduate School

At least four weeks before the end of the semester or term to be certified for graduation.