Timeline to Graduation

The following timeline is intended to guide students through important deadlines and milestones in the Ph.D. program. In addition to a list of Graduate School deadlines, students will also find suggestions for scheduling coursework and planning for professional development. For details on Graduate School policies, requirements, and forms, see the Graduate Administrative Handbook, available on the Graduate School website. The coursework recommendations include the required core courses for the CRDM program, as well as electives, which should be chosen in consultation with the advisor. The number of credits to be taken in each semester is based on program requirements as well as the eligibility requirements for the Graduate Student Support Plan (for fulltime supported students).

This timeline is necessarily general. Every student's program will be unique, and this timeline can be adjusted to suit individual circumstances, so long as Graduate School and CRDM program requirements are followed. Students should consult with their graduate advisor about how to adapt this timeline to their own needs and goals.

Year 1
Semester	Graduate School Requirements & Deadlines	Coursework	Recommended Professional Development
Fall	Submit Patent Agreement to CRDM Program Assistant	7 or 10 credits toward degree 9 credits toward GSSP CRD 701, History & Theory CRD 702. Rhetoric & Digital Media CRD 809, Colloquium (1 credit) COM 685, ENG 685, or Elective	Meet faculty and graduate students Set up a citation database (e.g., with EndNote or RefWorks) to use for literature reviews
Spring		9 credits toward degree 9 credits toward GSSP CRD 703, Networked Society Methods 2 Elective	Prepare and submit at least one conference proposal and/or paper Develop preliminary Plan of Work and advisory committee
Summer			Set up a teaching portfolio and insert Year One materials (if applicable) Set up a research portfolio Update CV Attend workshops on portfolios and CVs
Year 2
Semester	Graduate School Requirements & Deadlines	Coursework	Recommended Professional Development
Fall	Choose graduate advisor Select advisory committee Submit Plan of Work to graduate advisor	10 credits toward degree 9 credits toward GSSP CRD 704, Technology & Pedagogy CRD 809, Colloquium (1 credit) Elective Elective	Meet new graduate students Prepare and submit at least one conference proposal and/or paper
Spring		9 credits toward degree 9 credits toward GSSP CRD 790, Issues Elective Elective	Begin preparing for preliminary examination
Summer			Update teaching portfolio Update research portfolio Update CV Prepare one paper for submission to an academic journal
Year 3
Semester	Graduate School Requirements & Deadlines	Coursework	Recommended Professional Development
Fall		6-9 credits toward degree 9 credits toward GSSP CRD 809, Colloquium (1 credit) CRD 890, Doctoral Prelim Exam (does not count toward degree) CRD 893, Doctoral Research Elective	Meet new graduate students Diversify teaching experience (as applicable) Research and apply for grants and fellowships to support dissertation research Prepare and submit at least one conference proposal and/or paper Prepare for preliminary examination
Spring	Schedule and take the written portion of the preliminary examination Submit Request to Schedule Preliminary Oral Examination Report on Preliminary Oral Examination submitted by CRDM Program Assistant	6-9 credits toward degree 9 credits toward GSSP CRD 893, Doctoral Research	Write dissertation prospectus
Summer			Prepare 1-2 dissertation chapters for job market Update teaching portfolio Update research portfolio Update CV
Year 4
Semester	Graduate School Requirements & Deadlines	Coursework	Recommended Professional Development
Fall		3 credits toward degree 3 credits toward GSSP CRD 895, Dissertation Research	Meet new graduate students Diversify teaching experience Assemble professional dossier for the job market Research and respond to job openings Schedule practice interviews
Spring	Submit diploma card (before 6th weeks) Submit Request to Schedule the Final Oral Examination (10 business days prior to examination) Submit Report on the Final Oral Examination (initiated by CRDM Director) Submit dissertation to the Graduate School (before graduation deadline; see Graduate Administrative Handbook 3.20)	3 credits toward degree 3 credits toward GSSP CRD 895, Dissertation Research	Interview for and get a job Finish dissertation