Doctoral program stages
Follow these stages and tips to finish your doctoral degree.
Stage 1 – take classes
Strive to complete your coursework within three years. Write
papers for these classes that will work in your dissertation.
During this stage, you will also need to find a committee chair. Toward the end
of your coursework, you will create a dissertation
committee. *
Stage 2 – take comprehensive exams *
Stage 3 – write dissertation proposal
You will write a 15-20 page overview of your proposed
dissertation and present it for your committee’s approval.
Stage 4 – write prospectus
The prospectus will consist of the first three chapters of
your five-chapter dissertation.
Stage 5 – formal defense of prospectus
Prepare your Internal
Review Board (IRB) paperwork, but do not submit it until you pass your
defense. *
Once you pass your prospectus defense, you will be an ABD
(all but dissertation) doctoral candidate.
Stage 6 – conduct research
Stage 7 – formal defense of dissertation *
Read the dissertation
defense procedures before you schedule your
defense. Watch for graduation application due dates early in the semester
you will graduate.
Stage 8 – make revisions and submit your dissertation electronically *
Read more about Electronic
Theses and Dissertations (ETD).
Stage 9 – graduation
Congratulations on earning your doctorate. Read more about graduation and commencement.
*Denotes a form is required