PhD Timeline
Timeline for PhD Students
The following "Timeline for PhD Students" provides a quick reference to the required steps and necessary forms leading to the completion of the degree as well as guidance on the expected rate of progress. The steps in the "timeline" are discussed in greater detail below. Except where noted, all forms are available online and at the Student Services Office.
1. By end of 3rd quarter
FORMING YOUR COMMITTEE: To establish your Supervisory Committee, get the form titled "Request to Establish PhD Supervisory Committee," fill it out, have the members of your proposed committee sign it, and return it to the Student Services Office. Your committee should be formed by the end of your third quarter of residency. If you are moving from the Master's to the Doctoral program, your Supervisory Committee must be formally re-established.
2. Within 2 weeks of committee formation
FIRST COMMITTEE MEETING AND PLAN OF STUDY: To properly document your first PhD Supervisory Committee meeting get the form called "Plan of Study Toward Advanced Degree," fill it out as best you can prior to the meeting, obtain the signatures of all committee members at the meeting, and return the completed form to the Student Services Office. This first meeting must take place within two weeks of the committee's approved formation. If you are moving from the Master's to the Doctoral Program, you must submit a new Plan of Study, which may include your MS coursework but may also include new coursework.
3. By end of 6th quarter (usually winter quarter of second year)
QUALIFYING EXAMINATION: To document your performance on the Qualifying Examination (a written exam required by the School of Aquatic & Fishery Sciences and administered by your Supervisory Committee), make sure your committee submits a completed copy of the "Evaluation of the Qualifying Examination," as well as copies of the exam questions and answers, to the Student Services Office for your permanent file. The Qualifying Exam must be completed within 18 months of residency (e.g., if entering in September, by the end of the second Winter Quarter).
4. Within 30 days of completion of unsatisfactory qualifying exam, if necessary
REMEDIAL EXAMINATION: To document your performance on the Remedial Examination (a written exam administered by your Supervisory Committee, but required only if your performance on the Qualifying Exam is unsatisfactory), make sure your committee submits a completed copy of the "Evaluation of the Remedial Examination" to the Student Services Office.
5. Within 24 months of residency (usually by the end of the second summer quarter)
DISSERTATION PROPOSAL: To properly document that your Doctoral Dissertation Proposal has been read and approved by members of your Supervisory Committee, obtain the form called "PhD Dissertation Proposal," fill it out, have your committee members sign it, attach a final revised copy of your Dissertation Proposal and submit it to the Student Services Office.
6. Within 27 months of residency, but no less than 4 months after committee is constituted
GENERAL EXAMINATION: For permission to take the General Examination (an oral exam required by the Graduate School and administered by your Supervisory Committee), prepare the "Request for General Examination" form, have all members of your Supervisory Committee sign it, including the Graduate School Representative, and return it to the Student Services Office at least one full month prior to taking the exam. The Graduate School will not allow the General Examination to be held within four months of constitution of the Supervisory Committee; an approved Dissertation Proposal must be on file. At least 60 credits of coursework must be completed before scheduling the General Exam, 30 of which may be substituted by a Master’s degree, and 18 of which must be at the 500-level or above (including FISH 800). To document your performance on the General Examination, the committee must submit the signed warrant to the Student Services Office. After the successful completion of your general exam, you will be granted doctoral candidacy (PhC).
7. By end of 4th year, well before completion of first draft of the dissertation
READING COMMITTEE: To establish your Dissertation Reading Committee (a subset of your Supervisory Committee, including your Major Professor and at least two other members), get the form titled "PhD Reading Committee Request," fill it out, obtain the signatures of your Major Professor and committee members who have agreed to serve, and return the completed form to the Student Services Office.
8. Ideally during 5th year, but in no case later than 10 years
FINAL EXAM: To schedule your Final Examination (dissertation defense), give the full title of your dissertation and complete scheduling information (date, time, and room number) to the Student Services Office using the "Request for Final Examination" (make sure you use the official form provided by the Graduate School). Have all members of your Supervisory Committee, including the Graduate School Representative, sign the prepared form and return it to the Student Services Office at least three and one-half, but preferably five weeks prior to the defense date.
9. Within 60 days of final examination or last day of quarter, whichever is first
SUBMISSION OF DISSERTATION: The final draft of the dissertation must be submitted to the Graduate School within 60 days after the Final Examination and before the last day of the quarter in which you plan to graduate. Failure to meet this deadline will require rescheduling of the Final Examination, and registration will be mandatory for the following quarter, even if the 60-day limit has not yet expired, or utilization of the Graduate Degree Late Fee.
Examinations, as well as final dissertation submission to the Graduate School, occur only during quarters in which you are properly registered with the University.
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