Your degree program may have additional requirements and deadlines, such as a language
proficiency exam. Check with your advisor about specific degree requirements for your
program of study.
Make any adjustments to your program of study using this form.
When should this be completed?
Within the first 24 months of course work (earlier if possible).
3. Complete Program Requirements
Course Requirements
Check with your program for specific course requirements.
Comprehensive Exam
All candidates for a doctoral degree must pass a written and oral comprehensive examination
conducted by your academic program under the direction of your Written and Oral Comprehensive
Examination Committee.
When should this be completed?
By your final term of study.
4. Complete Your Dissertation
If your doctoral program requires a dissertation, this is at least a four-step process:
1. Propose a topic and gain approval from your major professor and dissertation
committee to pursue the topic.
When should this be completed?
2. As soon as possible, typically near the completion of required core course work. Submit a draft of what you propose for a preliminary format approval here
When should this be completed?
See the calendar above for format check deadlines.
3. Complete your dissertation and defend.
When should this be completed?
See the calendar above for defense deadlines.
4. Address any required corrections and submit a final version of your dissertation.
When should this be completed?
See the calendar above for final submission deadlines.
5. Submit Dissertation Signature and Approval Form & Survey of Earned Doctorates
Once the dissertation has been successfully defended and the final revision of the
document has been accepted, complete and submit via email the PDF of the Dissertation Signature and Approval Form to the Graduate School Coordinator for your program.
Upon completion of your dissertation, you must also complete a Survey of Earned Doctorates, and submit via email the certificate of completion to the Graduate School Coordinator
for your program.
When should this be completed?
Typically in your final term of study; see the calendar above for deadlines.
Submit information to be printed in the Doctoral Commencement program through the
Doctoral Hooding Information Portal. This is required of all doctoral graduates, even if you are not planning to attend
the ceremony.