Ph.D. in Technology

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Timetable

The following table shows the critical milestones of doctoral degree requirements. Most student who are on the master's plus Ph.D. (they have an M.S. degree when they start the program) complete the degree in four to five years. Direct to Ph.D. students (those entering the program with a bachelor's degree) complete the degree in five to eight years. Note that only direct to Ph.D. students have to complete the qualifying examination in the third semester.

Polytechnic Ph.D. Timetable

End of 1st Semester

Coursework

TECH 601 Completed

Advisor/Committee

Work with advisor on research area and possible committee members

Electronic Plan of Study

Create/File draft EPOS

Dissertation

Begin considering research idea/area

 

End of 2nd Semester

Coursework

TECH 646 Completed

Advisor/Committee

Establish committee (3 people)

Electronic Plan of Study

File Official EPOS

Dissertation

Continue researching ideas/topics

 

3rd Semester (April or November)

Coursework

Continue completion of coursework

Advisor/Committee

Complete Qualifying Examination

Dissertation

Continue research 

 

Next to Last (or Last) Semester of Coursework

Coursework

Continue coursework

Advisor/Committee

Complete Preliminary Examination

Electronic Plan of Study

File EPOS Changes (as necessary)

Dissertation

Continue research 

 

Last Semester (or Semester Following Completion) of Coursework

Coursework

Complete TECH 699 (1-3 cr.)

Advisor/Committee

  • Establish committee (4 people)
  • Schedule/attend Dissertation proposal defense

Electronic Plan of Study

File EPOS Changes (as necessary)

Dissertation

Dissertation Proposal Defense (Chapters 1-3 complete)

 

At least three academic sessions devoted to research and writing must elapse between the preliminary and final Ph.D. examinations *

Coursework

Complete remaining TECH 699 credits (12-14 cr.)

Advisor/Committee

Schedule/attend dissertation defense meeting

Dissertation

  • Polytechnic Thesis Advising Appt.
  • Final Dissertation Defense
  • GS Thesis Deposit Appt.
  • Polytechnic Thesis Deposit (e-Pubs)
  • Committee Deposit

Graduation Requirements**

  • Polytechnic Publication requirement
  • Polytechnic Exit Survey
  • GS Exit Survey
  • Survey of Earned Doctorate
  • Order Cap and Gown
  • Attend Graduation

 

 

 * Summer counts as an academic session (e.e., if preliminary examination is completed in May 2016, then earliest final defense May, 2017)

** See the Polytechnic Ph.D. Student Handbook for more information as well as required forms.  Always check most updated version of PH.D. Student Handbook for any changes made to the expected timetable.