2. Degree program

Here are some guidelines on graduate degree programs.

• CEE Graduate Policies. This website provides the official policies regarding Graduate Student Handbook, PhD Comprehensive Exam Requirement, MS/PhD Research Proposal Requirements and Tempate.

2.1. Important timeline

You can find a brief timeline for PhD/MS/ME students here (credit: Dr. Beth Neilson).

2.2. Milestones

2.2.1. Milestones for PhD students with MS

Here is a typical milestone table for a PhD student who already possesses a Master’s degree, although there may be variations among individuals.

Milestones	Y1	Y1	Y1	Y2	Y2	Y2	Y3	Y3	Y3	Y4	Y4	Y4
	F	Sp	Su	F	Sp	Su	F	Sp	Su	F	S	Su
Program of Study		X
Form Committee (1st Meeting)		X
Comprehensive Exam				X
1st Paper Draft						X
Proposal Defense (PhD candidate)								X
2nd Paper Draft									X
3rd Paper Draft											X
Dissertation Draft											X	X?
Dissertation Defense											X	X?

2.2.2. Milestones for MS students

Milestones	Y1	Y1	Y1	Y2	Y2	Y2	Y3	Y3
	F	Sp	Su	F	Sp	Su	F	Sp
Finalize Program of Study	X
Form Committee (1st Meeting)	X
Complete Written Proposal		X
Proposal Defense		X
Thesis Draft					X
Thesis Defense						X
1st Paper Draft							X	X?

Note

• F: Fall, Sp: Spring, Su: Summer

• The first paper usually takes much longer time to write, so I would suggest start early. Depending on individuals, a draft may take up to three months to write and additional few months to iterate between advisor and student before it is ready for submission. For example, if your goal is to submit your first paper by the end of the second year, you need to have all results/analysis done by the end of Y2-Spring and spend the entire summer writing and editing.

• The Proposal Defense has to occur at least one year before the Dissertation Defense.

• Must submit dissertation/thesis draft to committee at least four weeks before defense.

• Must submit Appointment for Examination form to the School of Graduate Studies at least two weeks before defense.